Orlando Matching Gifts

Magical Matching Gift Companies in Orlando, Florida

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Orlando is best known as the theme park capital of the world, drawing millions of visitors every year to experience the magic of Disney and Universal. However, beyond the tourism corridor, Orlando is a thriving metropolitan hub with a diverse economy spanning aerospace and defense, healthcare, and hospitality. For local nonprofits, this unique economic mix presents a massive opportunity.

As a result, this city is home to many large corporations that offer matching gifts.

Stop leaving money on the table by failing to reach out to your donors about these programs. Familiarize yourself with this list of companies and remind your donors to check whether their company will match their donations.

Orlando’s Corporate Philanthropy Landscape Overview

When fundraising in Central Florida, it is important to understand the local employment landscape. Unlike cities dominated by finance (like Charlotte) or tech (like San Francisco), Orlando is dominated by the experience economy and defense contracting.

This creates two distinct types of donors: service-oriented employees at major parks and hospitality groups, and highly technical workers at companies like Lockheed Martin and Siemens. Both groups have access to generous corporate giving programs, but the way you approach them might differ. The service sector often leans heavily into volunteer grants (“VoluntEARS” at Disney), while the technical sector often has higher monetary match caps.

Understanding these nuances is key to unlocking the full potential of your donor database. By identifying where your donors work, you can tailor your asks to leverage their specific corporate benefits.

Top Matching Gift Companies to Note in Orlando, Florida

Below is a curated list of the most prominent employers in the Orlando and Central Florida area that offer matching gift programs. These companies are committed to supporting the communities where their employees live, work, and play.

1. The Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney is one of the most visible companies in Orlando and arguably the most important employer for any local nonprofit to know. The Walt Disney World Resort employs tens of thousands of “Cast Members” who are deeply integrated into the local community.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches up to $25,000 per employee each year (limits can vary by role and year).
  • Volunteer Grants: Disney offers a very generous “Disney VoluntEARS” grant program.
  • Eligibility: Full-time and part-time Cast Members are eligible.

The “Disney VoluntEARS” program is legendary in Central Florida. Disney converts volunteer hours into cash grants for eligible nonprofits at a very high rate. Because so many Cast Members volunteer in groups, a single day of service from a Disney team can result in a significant financial grant for your organization. Furthermore, Disney’s match cap is among the highest in the corporate world, making its executives prime targets for major giving campaigns.

Read more about the Walt Disney Company’s matching gift program.

2. Universal Orlando (Comcast/NBCUniversal)

As the other major theme park giant in town, Universal Orlando (owned by Comcast NBCUniversal) is a massive force for good in the region. Their giving programs are designed to champion digital equity, volunteerism, and community service.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per employee annually.
  • Volunteer Grants: Comcast NBCUniversal is a strong supporter of volunteerism and offers grants when employees get involved.

Comcast is particularly focused on digital literacy and education. If your nonprofit works in education or youth development, Universal employees are natural partners. Additionally, with the massive expansion of Universal’s Epic Universe, the company’s workforce is growing, meaning your pool of potential donors from this company is expanding each year.

Read more about the Universal Orlando matching gift program.

3. Darden Restaurants

Headquartered right here in Orlando, Darden is the parent company of major brands like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, and The Capital Grille. They are a hometown Fortune 500 company with a deep commitment to hunger relief and food security.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Program Focus: Strong emphasis on hunger, food security, and hospitality education.
  • Employee Assistance: They also have a robust internal employee assistance fund known as “Darden Dimes.”

Because Darden owns so many different restaurant brands, you likely have donors who work for them without realizing it. A donor might list their employer as “Olive Garden” or “Bahama Breeze” rather than Darden. It is crucial to map these subsidiary brands to the parent company in your database to ensure you do not miss out on matching opportunities.

Read more about the Darden Restaurants’ matching gift program.

4. Lockheed Martin

Orlando is a major hub for the aerospace and defense industry, and Lockheed Martin has a massive presence in the tourist district (Sand Lake Road) and near UCF. They employ thousands of highly paid engineers and technical staff.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 per employee, per year.
  • Focus: STEM education and military/veteran support.

Lockheed Martin employees are often high-capacity donors due to the nature of the engineering and defense industry. Their program is generous and broad. If your organization supports veterans or STEM education, Lockheed Martin is your ideal corporate partner. Even if you do not, their general matching program is open to most 501(c)(3) organizations.

Read more about the Lockheed Martin matching gift program.

5. HCA Healthcare

The Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) has a significant footprint in Florida, with numerous hospitals and surgery centers in the Greater Orlando area. They are dedicated to the health and well-being of the communities they serve.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches donations between $25 and $2,500.
  • Volunteer Grants: They also have a generous volunteer grant program to reward employees who give their time.

Hospital staff, from surgeons to administrators, are often community-minded. With a matching cap of $2,500, HCA provides a solid middle-tier matching opportunity. This is perfect for annual fund appeals where you are asking for donations in the $100 to $500 range, as the match can significantly boost your total revenue.

Read more about the HCA matching gift program.

6. JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase has a strong retail and corporate presence in Central Florida. They are committed to driving inclusive economic growth and often match gifts to a wide variety of causes.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches donations made by employees between $25 and $1,000.
  • Eligibility: JPMorgan will match donations to most nonprofit organizations.

The ubiquity of Chase branches and offices means the volume of eligible donors is high. Engaging branch managers and local staff can lead to consistent, year-over-year support for your organization.

Read more about the JPMorgan Chase matching gift program.

7. McDonald’s

McDonald’s has a strong corporate presence and franchise network in Florida. Their matching gift program is one of the most accessible in the food service industry.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches employee gifts of $50-$5,000 (higher for VPs and above).
  • Eligibility: Both full and part-time corporate employees can take advantage of this program.

It is important to note the distinction between corporate employees and franchisee employees. Typically, matching gift programs apply to employees of the corporation itself. However, many franchise owners in Orlando are generous local philanthropists in their own right. Always clarify the employment status, but do not be afraid to ask for the match.

Read more about the McDonald’s matching gift program.

8. Tupperware Brands

Headquartered in Kissimmee, just south of Orlando, Tupperware Brands is a historic name in the region. They have a long history of empowering women and supporting youth organizations.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Focus: Youth organizations, women’s empowerment, and community vitality.
  • Local Impact: As an HQ company, its executive leadership is deeply embedded in the Central Florida charitable scene.

Tupperware is one of the few global headquarters located in Osceola County. For nonprofits operating in Kissimmee or South Orlando, Tupperware is a critical prospect. Their commitment to their hometown community is strong, and their employees take pride in supporting local initiatives.

Read more about the Tupperware Brands’ matching gift program.

9. Siemens Energy

With a major campus near the University of Central Florida, Siemens is a hub for energy innovation. They match gifts to educational institutions and other eligible nonprofits.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches up to $2,000 per employee.
  • Focus: Education, environment, and sustainability.

Given their proximity to UCF, there is a strong link between Siemens and higher education. However, their employees support a wide range of causes. The $2,000 cap is solid for mid-level donors. If you are an environmental nonprofit, the alignment with Siemens’ energy and sustainability goals makes its employees excellent prospects.

Read more about the Siemens Energy matching gift program.

10. Verizon

Verizon has a significant operations and retail presence in the Orlando market. Their “Verizon Credo” emphasizes running their business with integrity and supporting their communities.

  • Match Ratio: 1:1
  • Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 annually.
  • Volunteer Grants: Employees can earn a $750 grant for volunteering 50 hours in a year.

The Verizon volunteer grant is a “Dollars for Doers” model that works very well for regular volunteers. If you have a volunteer who helps out once a week, they will easily hit the 50-hour mark over the course of a year, triggering a $750 check for your nonprofit with no additional financial ask required.

Read more about the Verizon matching gift program.

Strategic Matching Gift Fundraising Tips for Orlando Nonprofits

Orlando is a unique fundraising environment. To succeed here, you need to adapt your strategy to the local economy. Here are three tips for maximizing matching gifts in the City Beautiful.

1. The “Cast Member” Strategy

With tens of thousands of Disney employees (Cast Members) in the area, you almost certainly have them in your donor database. Disney makes it very easy for Cast Members to donate and volunteer, but you must remind them.

Disney often runs internal campaigns promoting their “VoluntEARS” program. Time your volunteer recruitment drives to coincide with these internal pushes. Create group volunteer opportunities specifically marketed to Disney teams, as they love to volunteer together. A group of 10 Cast Members painting a mural isn’t just free labor; it is a potential major grant source.

2. Map Subsidiary Brands

Orlando is home to many holding companies. As mentioned with Darden, donors might say they work for “Red Lobster” (formerly Darden, now separate) or “Olive Garden.” Donors might say they work for “NBC Sports” or “Golf Channel,” both of which fall under the Comcast NBCUniversal umbrella.

You must train your data entry team (or configure your software) to recognize these subsidiary brands. If you only look for “Darden” or “Comcast,” you will miss thousands of eligible donors who list their specific brand or division as their employer.

3. Leverage University Connections

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is one of the largest higher education institutions in the country. Many alumni stay in the area and work for these major partners, and their alumni are used to the culture of giving back.

Partner with alumni associations or professional groups in Orlando to spread the word about matching gifts. Often, young professionals want to give but feel their $50 donation doesn’t matter. Showing them that their employer will turn that $50 into $100 helps validate their philanthropy and encourages them to start giving earlier in their careers.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Orlando is a city with plenty of large corporations offering matching gifts. Don’t leave money on the table by not reaching out to your donors about these programs. Familiarize yourself with this list of companies and remind your donors to check and see if their company will match their donations.

Whether you are a food bank in Orange County, an arts center in Seminole County, or an animal rescue in Osceola County, these programs are available to you. Take the time to educate your donors, and you will see the results in your bottom line.

Ready to start discovering these matches? Check out these additional resources:

Find out if your donors work for these matching gift companies in Orlando.