Universal Orlando Foundation Inc
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Orlando, Florida. Formed in 1998, it supports organizations and programs addressing community needs, primarily in education, children, family, and basic needs.
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Universal Orlando Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $67K), mostly in Florida. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,802,638
- +13.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- -28.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,729
- +59.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,500
- Total assets
- $2,923,750
- -4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (13 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Universal Orlando Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Universal Orlando’s donation request program is currently open to eligible nonprofit organizations located in Florida. Applications for theme park tickets must be submitted online. Applicants must be tax-exempt and have at least one year of operations. Donations consist mainly of theme park tickets for fundraising. Requests from individuals or political entities, and requests involving religious or controversial activities, are not considered.
- Review Cycle
- Submit theme park ticket applications at least 60 days before the event.
- Deadline
- Submit theme park ticket applications at least 60 days before the event.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819-7601
Phone: (407) 224-3729
Website: https://universalorlandofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Universal Orlando Foundation Inc
Who Universal Orlando Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City Year Orlando ($385K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
274 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 201 grants of 274 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission focuses on the Central Florida community. All grant dollars in its 2024 filing went to recipients in Florida. Its donation request program is open to eligible nonprofits located in Florida, with preference given to organizations based in Central Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Universal Orlando Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 42 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $69K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $45K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $2.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City Year Orlando Orlando, FL | 2024 year-end operating grant, memorial & eccleston 2024-25 & 2025-26 | $385,389 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Inc Orlando, FL | Proceeds from charity doughnut at voodoo doughnuts, ugive grant, bites, camera, action 2025 | $258,750 |
| Zebra Youth Inc Orlando, FL | Ugive grant, 2024 year-end operating grant, 2023 & 2024 love is universal proceeds | $164,000 |
| LGBT Center Orlando Inc Orlando, FL | Multi year love is universal proceeds and ugive grant | $153,000 |
| A Gift for Teaching Inc Orlando, FL | Ugive grant, 2024 backpacks, full steam ahead: powering student success | $152,500 |
| Special Olympics Florida Inc Clermont, FL | Ugive grant, special olympics Florida - coach recruitment and retention, special olympics Florida family engagement program | $150,750 |
| Harbor House of Central Florida Inc Orlando, FL | Ugive grant, domestic violence survivor support & basic needs, one space family justice center | $132,000 |
| Valencia College Foundation Inc Orlando, FL | Ugive grant, 2024 year-end operating grant, valencia college vcentials support 2025, art of tomorrow year 3 of 4 | $125,839 |
| Canine Companions for Independence Orlando, FL | Ugive Grant, Pilot Veteran PTSD Service Dog Program | $103,500 |
| Brevard Homeless Coaltion Rockledge, FL | Mobile Hope Brevard | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,923,750 | $3,874,044 | $3,741,836 | $2,802,638 | 42 |
| 2023 | $3,074,608 | $3,667,273 | $3,300,412 | $2,467,081 | 59 |
| 2022 | $2,816,915 | $3,284,967 | $4,021,894 | $2,680,120 | 56 |
| 2021 | $2,937,590 | $2,579,504 | $2,986,863 | $2,478,294 | 57 |
| 2020 | $3,476,366 | $2,678,663 | $3,053,580 | $2,067,465 | 60 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote quality of life in the Central Florida community by addressing needs and concerns primarily in education, children, family, and basic needs. Its general fund awards grants to organizations and programs that take a proactive approach to those needs. Other stated areas include basic services such as food, clothing, and shelter; arts and cultural programs; and services for children with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. LGBT+ Center Orlando says it provides a safe space, counseling, youth and senior programming, a food pantry, and meeting space. A Gift for Teaching says it provides educational resources to empower teachers. Special Olympics Florida says it offers sports training and competition, health services, and leadership skills to people with intellectual disabilities. Harbor House of Central Florida says it works to prevent and break the cycle of domestic abuse through programs, advocacy, education, and community involvement. Valencia College Foundation says it advances and serves the Valencia College community through partnerships and philanthropy. Lighthouse Central Florida describes its work as supporting living, learning, and earning with vision loss. Give Kids the World says it fulfills wishes for children with critical illnesses and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $2,802,638. Awards ranged from $6,250 to $385,389, with a median grant of $40,500. The largest listed awards included $385,389 to City Year Orlando; $258,750 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; $164,000 to Zebra Youth; $153,000 to LGBT Center Orlando; and $152,500 to A Gift for Teaching.
Other notable 2024 grants included $150,750 to Special Olympics Florida, $132,000 to Harbor House of Central Florida, $125,839 to Valencia College Foundation, $103,500 to Canine Companions for Independence, and $100,000 each to Brevard Homeless Coalition, Lighthouse Central Florida, and Orlando After-School All-Stars. Grant purposes listed include operating support, youth programs, basic needs, domestic violence survivor support, and a pilot service-dog program for veterans with PTSD.
The foundation says grantees awarded funds from its general, arts and cultural, basic needs, compassion, and education funds must report annually on how grant funds are used.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Valerie Read, Senior Director; John Sprouls, President; Tracey Stockwell, Treasurer; Judith Luengas, Secretary; Sandra Chen, Assistant Secretary; and directors Dave Bartek, Charlie Gundacker, Michael Hanley, Scot LaFerte, and Peter Latham.
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc is led by Diane O'Dell, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 14 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Diane O'Dell
Executive Director
Excutive Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Sprouls
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Roth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Gundacker
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Bartek
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hanley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Latham
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Read
Senior Director
Director → Senior Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Xiomara Wiley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Singh
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scot Laferte
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judith Luengas
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Chen
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracey Stockwell
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Rhonda Rhodes (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Alice Norsworthy (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ric Florell (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Universal Orlando Foundation Inc
How much does Universal Orlando Foundation Inc give each year?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 59 grants.
What is Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $40,500, and its average grant was $66,729, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Universal Orlando Foundation Inc that year got $69K on average.
Where does Universal Orlando Foundation Inc give grants?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc gives mostly in Florida: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Orlando, FL (31 grants), Kissimmee, FL (2 grants) and Winter Garden, FL (2 grants).
Does Universal Orlando Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 55% of Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 42) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Ugive Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include City Year Orlando ($385,389), Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Inc ($258,750) and Zebra Youth Inc ($164,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Universal Orlando Foundation Inc?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What does Universal Orlando Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote quality of life in the Central Florida community by addressing needs and concerns primarily in education, children, family, and basic needs. Its general fund awards grants to organizations and programs that take a proactive approach to those needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Universal Orlando Foundation Inc?
Universal Orlando’s donation request program is currently open to eligible nonprofit organizations located in Florida. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's EIN?
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-3510383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Universal Orlando Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/universal-orlando-foundation-inc-morg_45a78c5c4a6a4e96bbb73518ad0c4921
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_593510383_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Universal Orlando Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/universal-orlando-foundation-inc-morg_45a78c5c4a6a4e96bbb73518ad0c4921},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Universal Orlando Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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