The Magic announced it will distribute a total of $1.8 million through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation this season.
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The first set of grants totaling $775,000 were distributed Tuesday at the inaugural OMYF Collective Impact Reveal Luncheon at the Kia Center, honoring the 21 nonprofit organizations in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties that were selected. The grants will assist at-risk youth by supporting programs in Central Florida focused on education, health and wellness, the arts, housing and homelessness, according to the team.
This marks the 19th time the Magic have distributed at least $1 million to the Orlando community, with the team granting more than $32 million over the past 37 years to local nonprofit community organizations through the OMYF.
“On behalf of the entire DeVos family and the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, we are honored to recognize these 21 nonprofit organizations that impact and uplift youth across Central Florida on a daily basis,” Magic and OMYF chairman Dan DeVos said. “Joining together to help others in the Orlando community has been woven into the fabric of the Magic organization and remains a priority for our family.”
“With my parents leading the way, we’ve held the belief that whether it’s time, talent or treasure, everyone has something valuable to contribute,” DeVos added. “We are humbled to assist each of these deserving organizations who make a true difference for so many kids across this community. We honor them and recognize them for their tireless efforts.”
The grants will be distributed through the OMYF in five ways this season: a summer grant cycle, a winter grant cycle, microgrants, the Linda Landman Gonzalez Leadership Grant and year-round professional development opportunities, the team said.
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The second set of grant recipients will be announced in February. The microgrants will be distributed to smaller, up-and-coming local nonprofits to assist them in growing their organizations. The grantees for the remaining cycles will be announced throughout the season and continue to assist at-risk youth among Central Florida counties.
The Magic also announced the “OMYF Collective,” which will serve as “a new strategic engagement platform for the OMYF designed to bring together nonprofit leaders, community stakeholders and supporters to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and amplify collective impact throughout the region,” the team said.
While grant funding remains at the heart of foundation’s mission, the collective “expands that investment by providing year-round opportunities for relationship building, professional development, peer learning and leadership growth,” according to the team.
In addition to DeVos, Magic vice chair Alex Martins, Magic president of business operations Charlie Freeman, Magic chief marketing officer Shelly Wilkes, OMYF executive director Laura Cutchens, Magic community ambassadors and former players Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, and Magic TV host Dante Marchitelli joined grant recipients at the luncheon.
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OMYF’s 21 summer grantee organizations (amount granted)
• AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida ($50,000)
• Brevard Schools Foundation Inc. ($25,000)
• Central Florida Dreamplex Foundation ($25,000)
• Central Florida Young Men’s Christian Association ($25,000)
• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens ($25,000)
• Chance 2 Dance, Inc. ($25,000)
• City Year, Inc. ($50,000)
• Florida Institute of Technology ($25,000)
• Foundation for Foster Children ($50,000)
• Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc. ($50,000)
• Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Inc. ($50,000)
• Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County ($25,000)
• Heart of Florida United Way ($50,000)
• Junior Achievement of Central Florida ($25,000)
• Mental Health Association Of Central Florida, Inc. ($40,000)
• Orlando Ballet, Inc. ($25,000)
• Orlando Science Center, Inc. ($50,000)
• REED Charitable Foundation ($35,000)
• Rescue Outreach Mission of Central Florida ($50,000)
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Inc. ($50,000)
• The Mustard Seed of Central Florida ($25,000)
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]