The Magic are sending $1.8 million into the community through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation this season, with the first wave of support already out the door.
On Tuesday, the team handed out $775,000 in grants during the inaugural OMYF Collective Impact Reveal Luncheon at the Kia Center, recognizing 21 nonprofit organizations across Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties. The money is aimed at helping at-risk youth through programs tied to education, health and wellness, the arts, housing and homelessness.
It’s another big year for a foundation that has made giving part of the franchise’s identity. This is the 19th time the Magic have distributed at least $1 million to the Orlando community, and the organization said it has given more than $32 million over the last 37 years to local nonprofit groups through 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.”
He added, “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 foundation’s distribution plan this season stretches beyond one grant cycle. The team said funding will be delivered through a summer grant cycle, a winter grant cycle, microgrants, the Linda Landman Gonzalez Leadership Grant and year-round professional development opportunities.
The next round of recipients will be announced in February. Microgrants are set aside for smaller, newer local nonprofits that are trying to grow. The remaining grant cycles will be rolled out during the season, continuing the focus on youth support across Central Florida.
The Magic also introduced the “OMYF Collective,” a new engagement platform meant to connect nonprofit leaders, community stakeholders and supporters. The goal, the team said, is to deepen collaboration, share best practices and increase the impact across the region.
The collective is designed to add more than money to the equation. According to the team, it will create year-round opportunities for relationship building, professional development, peer learning and leadership growth.
Along with DeVos, those attending the luncheon included Magic vice chair Alex Martins, Magic president of business operations Charlie Freeman, Magic chief marketing officer Shelly Wilkes, OMYF executive director Laura Cutchens, community ambassadors and former players Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, and Magic TV host Dante Marchitelli.
The 21 summer grantees and their awards are:
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)
In Other News...
Magic May Have A Cheap Answer To Their Shooting Problem
The Magic have spent plenty of time searching for more reliable shooting on the perimeter, and Buddy Hield has emerged as a name worth watching. The veteran guard was traded to the Hornets and is expected to be waived, which could open the door for Orlando to explore a low-cost addition from a player long known for his three-point range.
For a team trying to improve its spacing without making a major investment, Hield fits the kind of flyer that can make sense. The 33-year-old would bring immediate floor-stretching potential if he becomes available, but any move would still depend on the waiver process playing out in Charlotte first. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Give Former Lottery Pick One More Chance To Impress
The Magic are bringing in another familiar name for training camp, this time giving former lottery pick Kevin Knox an Exhibit 10 contract and a chance to compete for a spot in Orlando. Knox, who has seven years of NBA experience, spent last season with the Windy City Bulls in the G League, and now gets one more look as the team sorts through the back end of its roster.
Orlando also filled out its camp group with Exhibit 10 deals for Ricky Council IV, AuDiese Toney, Ace Baldwin Jr. and Jarron Cumberland, all of whom are expected to be waived as part of the process. The moves were announced alongside the Magics 20-player training camp roster, setting the stage for a crowded few weeks as the team evaluates depth and decides which names are worth keeping around. [Read more 🡒]
Magics Young Core Is Creating A Roster Squeeze Sean Sweeney Cant Ignore
The Magic have spent the past few seasons making a clear bet on their youth, locking in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and the rest of the core on long-term deals and signaling that this group will define the franchises next era. That approach has the roster trending toward a hefty luxury tax bill in the 2026-27 season, with the salary-cap math getting tighter by the year as Orlando tries to keep its best pieces together.
For Sean Sweeney, the challenge goes beyond drawing up a new defensive identity or sharpening the offense. He inherits a team with real upside, but also one that will have to navigate apron restrictions and the kind of roster squeeze that can force hard choices about depth, flexibility and fit. The Magic want to win with this core, and the question is how much room theyll have to keep building around it without compromising the structure that made the plan so appealing in the first place. [Read more 🡒]