ORLANDO – As part of the Orlando Magic’s continuing commitment to the community, the team announced a total of $1,245,000 in grants will be distributed to Central Florida nonprofits through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) in five ways throughout this upcoming season – a summer grant cycle, a winter grant cycle, microgrants, the Linda Landman Gonzalez (LLG) Leadership Grant and the Community Enrichment Award (CEA).
“On behalf of the entire DeVos family, we are so honored to once again have OMYF provide important support to the great Orlando community,” said Orlando Magic Chairman and OMYF Chairman Dan DeVos. “Our family has always been focused on the importance of community work. We truly are honored to have the team and foundation coming alongside all of these very deserving organizations.”
This marks the 17th time the team has distributed at least $1 million to the community with the Magic granting more than $30 million over the past 35 years to local nonprofit community organizations through the OMYF.
“Through the leadership of the DeVos family, giving back to our community in whatever way possible has always been a focal point in all that we do as an organization,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “One of the pillars of our organization is community, and the OMYF is one way we can continue to use our platform to improve our great city. Assisting these amazing organizations helps the foundation fulfill its commitment to underserved youth and families in Central Florida.”
The first set of grants (summer grant cycle) were distributed August 26-29 in surprise visits to 16 nonprofit organizations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Volusia counties assisting at-risk youth in Central Florida. In addition, the Magic will award quarterly microgrants to smaller, up-and-coming local nonprofits to assist them in growing their organizations. The quarter three microgrants were awarded today to nine local nonprofit organizations:
Below are the OMYF’s 16 summer grantee organizations and nine microgrants, amount granted and program:
OMYF Summer Grants
- Steinway Society of Central Florida, Inc. (Seminole) | After-School Piano Lesson Program
$20,000
The Steinway Society will expand its Piano Lesson Program, offering free year-round group piano lessons to economically disadvantaged students at 18 schools and community centers in Orange and Seminole counties, with opportunities for students to receive refurbished pianos and participate in public recitals.
- A Gift for Teaching, Inc. (Orange) | A Gift for Music
$40,000
Over the past 24 years, AGFM has provided free string music education to over 10,000 low-income Central Florida students, achieving a 100 percent high school graduation and college attendance rate, and now plans to expand its programs with continued support from the OMYF.
- Christian HELP Foundation, Inc. (Seminole) | Our Kids Deserve Security
$25,000
The Christian HELP Grocery Services program, *Our Kids Deserve Security*, combats food insecurity in Seminole County by providing free groceries and support services to families, aiming to assist 2,250 households this year, with each receiving at least 170 lbs. of groceries monthly, along with financial and career guidance.
- The Mustard Seed of Central Florida (Orange) | Beds for Children Emerging from Crisis
$25,000
The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, the region’s only furniture bank, provides essential household items like beds and tables to families and children recovering from homelessness, personal tragedy, or natural disaster, supporting over 1,340 children last year to ensure they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
- University of Central Florida Foundation, Inc. (Orange) | Healing Oasis for Peace and Empowerment (H.O.P.E.) Circle
$25,000
Formed in February 2022, HC empowers underserved Black male youth ages 12-15 through culturally relevant, trauma-informed development and Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), promoting social justice and community engagement through Bradley Otis Family Boys & Girls Club located in Westlake.
- Central Florida Young Men’s Christian Association (Orange) | Links2Learning
$50,000
Links2Learning (L2L) is a free, daily after-school program near Oakridge High that supports nearly 200 local high school students each year through mentorship, academic resources, career exploration, and social-emotional learning to improve educational outcomes and overall well-being.
- Life Concepts, Inc. (Orange) | School Readiness for Youth and Developmental Disabilities
$25,000
Quest Kid’s Therapy provides early intervention for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), focusing on social/emotional behavior, academic integration, and school readiness using Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, while also offering family support and financial assistance.
- The 4R Foundation, Inc. (Orange) | 4Roots’ K-12 Programming
$50,000
The 4Roots K-12 Education Programs engage students in hands-on learning about agriculture, food systems, and nutrition, allowing them to grow and distribute produce, with expanded initiatives in farm-to-school programs, culinary education, and the development of an 18-acre Farm Campus in Orlando.
- Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc. (Orange) | Read2Succeed (R2S)
$100,000
For 36 years, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools (FOCPS) has supported students and teachers through programs like Read2Succeed (R2S), which enhances literacy for at-risk children in Grades 1 and 2 by providing small-group and one-on-one reading instruction with trained tutors, leading to significant improvements in reading skills and confidence.
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Orange) | Applause Awards 2025
$25,000
The Applause Awards is a year-round program enhancing high school musical theater programs in Florida, impacting 4,000 students across 25 schools, and culminating in a showcase at the Dr. Phillips Center where top performances are recognized, scholarships are awarded, and students are given opportunities to advance their careers in the arts.
- Orlando Science Center, Inc. (Orange) | Ignite Discovery
$50,000
The Orlando Science Center’s Ignite Discovery initiative addresses STEM education disparities by bringing hands-on workshops, family engagement, and teacher development to low-income preschools, with plans to expand through OMYF funding to reach more classrooms and new partners like Rosen Preschool in Parramore.
- CECO (Orange) | Empowering Futures: Early Childhood Intervention Services for Children with Disabilities
$25,000
The CECO Early Intervention Program supports infants and toddlers with neurological motor disabilities by providing tailored, holistic intervention strategies based on Conductive Education, helping children achieve developmental milestones and equipping parents to integrate these strategies into daily routines.
- Education Foundation Osceola County (Osceola) | Bookmark Buddies
$50,000
The Bookmark Buddies Mentoring Program pairs at-risk third-grade students in Osceola County with trained volunteer mentors to improve reading skills and prepare for standardized tests through weekly one-on-one sessions.
- Find, Feed & Restore (Lake) | Housing First
$25,000
The Housing First program provides safe, rent-free housing for up to 12 months to families in crisis, along with comprehensive support services, to help them achieve financial stability and transition to permanent housing.
- Bethune-Cookman University (Volusia) | Black Male Explorers
$25,000
The Black Male Explorers program mentors underserved Black males in grades 6-12 in Volusia County, offering year-round support, a five-week summer camp, and STEM-focused development to improve academic performance and support college aspirations.
- Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Inc. (Seminole) | Take Stock in Children – Seminole
$25,000
Take Stock in Children-Seminole (TSIC) supports high-achieving, low-income students with weekly mentoring, college preparation, and skill-building workshops, culminating in a 2-year college scholarship, and boasts a 100% graduation rate.
OMYF Microgrants:
- Back on Track Employment Services, Inc., (Osceola) | Education2Work Program
$7,500
- MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. (Orange) | MAN UP CEO Program
$10,000
- ArtReach Orlando (Orange) | Artists in Wonderstudio
$5,000
- Vibrant Families Incorporated (Seminole) | The Legacy Club
$5,000
- Team Kareem Memorial Foundation (Osceola) | Not One More Family Suffers
$5,000
- Poverty Solutions Group (Orange) | Circles Cent. Fl. Children and Youth Healthy Wellbeing
$2,500
- Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc. (Orange) | Keeping UP Alternative School Suspension/Mentoring Program
$5,000
- Re-Imagine Communities (Orange) | “Get Lit”
$2,500
- House of Timothy (Orange) | Residential Group Home
$2,500
In February 2025, the winter grants will be distributed to the second set of recipients (to be determined). Fourth quarter microgrants will also be distributed in January. The grants will assist at-risk youth in Brevard, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Polk, and Volusia counties. Later this season, the LLG Leadership Grant recipient will be announced and receive $25,000 and the CEA winner will receive $20,000.
Each year, the Magic gives more than $2 million to Central Florida by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. At the heart of the Magic’s charitable efforts is the work done by the OMYF.
The OMYF is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts, and health and wellness programs. The OMYF raises community dollars annually through donations, auctions and events such as the OMYF Open Golf Tournament and the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction.
The Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, the signature fundraiser for the OMYF since 2019, will be held March 1, 2025 at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. The weekend of events features exclusive vintner dinners (on Feb. 28), an outdoor festival (on Mar. 1) with live music, live auction displays, an e-auction, local and celebrity chefs, wineries, and food pavilions, along with Magic players and coaches. Each guest will also receive an invitation to the OMYF grant reception on March 2, 2025 to honor the Magic’s new grantees, where all funds from the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, along with other fundraising opportunities, are distributed to the local nonprofit organizations being honored that night.
For more information on the OMYF, visit OMYF | Home (nba.com)
