Universal Orlando Resort Community Relations

Caring is Universal^™
Central Florida is more than just the home of Universal Orlando Resort. For the thousands of Team Members who work for the company, Central Florida is home to our friends. Our colleagues. Our neighbors. Our family. Our community.

Universal Orlando Resort aims to creatively utilize our company resources to make a difference in our diverse communities.

We dedicate time and resources to empower youth to be extraordinary, to engage in our community and to create unforgettable experiences for children and families. We strive to be a caring community partner to help make Central Florida a better place to live, work and play.

In the video below, we’re proud to highlight the efforts of our dedicated Team Members who partner with community organizations throughout the year.

Karen Irwin, president and chief operating officer of Universal Orlando Resort.

A Word From Our President & COO, Karen Irwin

We are committed to supporting our community and positively impacting our world. This commitment is reflected in our company’s core values and is an integral part of how we do business. Alongside our Team Members and partners, we strive to make our community the best it can be for those that call Central Florida home and for our visitors from around the world.

Karen Irwin
President & COO
Universal Orlando Resort

Empowering Youth to be Extraordinary

Universal Orlando is committed to helping today's youth become tomorrow's leaders. Through a variety of innovative on-site and in-school programs and the support of an array of community partners, Universal Orlando strives to engage and empower the youth of Central Florida.

Girl sitting on a chair, holding a microphone in front of The Art of Tomorrow screen.

Art of Tomorrow (8th Grade)

Universal Orlando creates hands-on learning labs where local students can explore media and entertainment industry careers in an exciting, real-world environment. Hosted at Universal Orlando, the Art of Tomorrow program inspires youth to stay in school and pursue arts-related careers. We developed and launched the program in partnership with Orange County Public Schools beginning with an 8th-grade curriculum that advances college and career readiness in the arts. The program helps raise awareness among students, opens up career opportunities in the entertainment industry and beyond, and helps seed the next generation of creative talent.

A group of participants from the Universal Orlando Resort Art of Tomorrow Scholars program.

Art of Tomorrow Scholars (9th to 12th Grades)

The Art of Tomorrow Scholars program is a unique collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort, the Universal Orlando Foundation, Orange County Public Schools and Valencia College. An extension of the original Art of Tomorrow program created for 8th grade students enrolled in arts-related electives, the Scholars initiative strives to keep successful students engaged through their high school years, help them earn their diplomas and develop a comprehensive post high school career plan. Working closely with Universal’s creative departments and community partners, students develop long term relationships with professionals enjoying success in a wide range of career choices. This is an amazing opportunity for students who might not otherwise discover their own potential to be given a pathway to achieve it.

Heroes

Today’s youth are faced with various challenges that may inhibit their ability to learn and grow. Universal Orlando builds partnerships with great organizations that help bring tweens and teens to their full potential and teach respect and equality, while embracing diversity. These life lessons are meant to inspire and bring positive influences through strengthening character traits. We strive to bring out the hero from within.

Universal Orlando education team posing in front of Universal Orlando Globe.

Exceptional Education Experiences

Collaborating with teachers, administrators, organizations and volunteers has always been a priority for Universal Orlando. Serving as a Partner in Education, we continue to “bring it” to schools in areas where it’s needed the most by providing resources and exciting opportunities that only Universal Orlando can deliver. We believe that education is an epic adventure and it’s a thrill for us to be part of the journey.

A Caring Community Partner

We have a responsibility to help make Central Florida a better place for us all. Whether it’s the challenges we face daily or those that a disaster may bring, we strive to lend a helping hand where needed. Working directly with area partners we aim to make a positive and significant impact in our community.

Universal Orlando continues to support diverse organizations that enhance the infrastructure and increase economic opportunities in Central Florida. We understand that the success of a thriving community delivers a brighter future for all.

Group of Universal Orlando Volunteers smiling behind loaves of bread.

Bites. Camera. Action.

Universal Orlando, the Universal Orlando Foundation, Orange County Public Schools and Second Harvest Food Bank have partnered to create Bites. Camera. Action., an innovative program featuring a mobile food pantry designed to provide food to families and youth throughout Central Florida. Each month during the school year, Second Harvest and Universal Orlando volunteers host a Farmers Market/Resource Fair at a local partner school that includes free produce and family food boxes, healthy recipe demonstrations by Universal Orlando chefs and the opportunity to meet with local organizations providing a variety of resources.

Woody & Winnie Woodpecker posing with a family that is wearing Give Kids The World Village t-shirts.

Universal Orlando’s Wish Program

Universal Orlando partners with wish-granting organizations and foundations around the world to help create a memorable vacation experience for children and adults with life-threatening illnesses. Each year, Central Florida is home to thousands of wish families, and we are proud to play a role in making their visit extraordinary. To locate a wish-granting organization in your community, please contact the Compassion Partners Program at 407-396-5320.

Universal Orlando Team Members Give Back

Universal Orlando's Team Members are committed to Central Florida and the area neighborhoods we’re proud to call home. Together we volunteer our time, our efforts and our company resources to make a difference within these diverse communities.

A volunteer wearing a purple shirt, holding a paint can and painting.

Volunteers

Service is fundamental to the Universal Orlando core and culture. Universal Orlando Team Members immerse themselves in the community and take center stage wherever they are volunteering. Our iconic purple t-shirts are known throughout Central Florida as representing our energetic teams of volunteers.

Multiple hands are on top of each other.

Workplace Giving

Since 2000 Universal Orlando Team Members, along with Loews Hotels employees, have pledged over 19 million dollars in support of charitable organizations. Our annual Workplace Giving program is one of the most successful campaigns in Central Florida, making our Team Members heroes in giving.

Donation Request

Sharing the adventure of Universal Orlando is an exciting way to help local organizations raise much-needed funds. Universal Orlando primarily donates theme park tickets to qualified nonprofits that educate our youth, strengthen our community and fall under our focus areas.

The Universal Orlando charitable giving program is open only to eligible nonprofit organizations located within the state of Florida. While outreach is considered for organizations within the state of Florida, preference is given to nonprofits based in Central Florida because that’s the heart of our universe. We are happy to review donation requests for qualifying nonprofit organizations for fundraising purposes. We are unable to review applications for corporate sponsorships.

To support our Green is Universal initiative; all applications for theme park tickets must be made online and must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event date to be considered.

Due to the popularity of Universal Orlando Resort, we are unable to offer hotel accommodations.

Youth Groups and Group Visits
Requests for group visits, competitions, staff appreciation, holiday parties, incentives or class celebrations are not eligible for donations. If you are inquiring about discounted tickets for a youth group visit or to purchase theme park tickets for a group visit, please contact one of the following:

Contact Universal Orlando’s Youth Group Sales

Contact Universal Orlando’s Meeting and Events

Charitable Giving Guidelines

If you are a nonprofit organization seeking a ticket donation from Universal Orlando for fundraising purposes, please review these charitable giving guidelines prior to submitting your application.

View Charitable Giving Guidelines

If your organization and request fall within our giving guidelines, please proceed to the online application by clicking the link below:

Start a New Application