Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation
Historical FunderOrlando, Florida · EIN 59-3332929 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$6.6M
Organizations funded27
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$12.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,300 and $250,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | STEPHANIE GHERTNER |
|---|---|
| Address | 1000 DARDEN CENTER DR, ORLANDO FL 32837 |
| Phone | 4072455115 |
| Form and materials | PROPOSALS WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY IF THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION: 1. NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION 2. CONTACT PERSON AND TITLE 3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION INCLUDING HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE CHARITY 4. COPY OF THE IRS EXEMPTION LETTER VERIFYING 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS 5. LATEST AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT 6. CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET AND SOURCES OF INCOME 7. LIST OF NAMES AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS OF DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES 8. W-9 FORM ADDITIONALLY, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING THE PARTICULAR PROGRAM FOR WHICH FUNDING IS BEING SOUGHT MUST BE PROVIDED: 1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM 2. THE NEEDS BEING ADDRESSED 3. PLAN OF ACTION AND TIME FRAME 4. TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED AND PROJECTED RESOURCES 5. THE AMOUNT REQUESTED 6. HOW THE PROJECT'S SUCCESS WILL BE DETERMINED |
| Deadlines | N/A |
| Restrictions | DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. FOUNDATION GENERALLY DOES NOT FUND THE FOLLOWING: 1. ORGANIZATIONS WHICH DO NOT HAVE 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS 2. EVENT SPONSORSHIPS (WALKS, RUNS, ETC.) 3. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES 4. POLITICAL CANDIDATES OR LOBBYING ORGANIZATIONS 5. NATIONAL OR LOCAL CHAPTERS OF DISEASE-SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS 6. NATIONAL CONFERENCES, SPORTS EVENTS AND OTHER ONE-TIME, SHORT-TERM EVENTS 7. ATHLETIC TEAM SPONSORSHIPS OR SCHOLARSHIPS 8. ANTI-BUSINESS GROUPS 9. TEAM SPONSORSHIPS OR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS 10. CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS 11. TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS 12. INDIVIDUALS SEEKING SCHOLARSHIPS 13. HEALTH-RELATED FUNDING REQUESTS 14. FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS GALAS, BENEFITS, DINNERS AND SPORTING EVENTS 15. GOODWILL ADVERTISING, SOUVENIR JOURNALS OR DINNER PROGRAMS 16. DONATIONS TO FRATERNITIES OR SORORITIES 17. ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES OR CANADA |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
55% of grants went outside Florida.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding America | Chicago, IL | Grants - healthy communities | $4,000,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Atlanta, GA | Grants - healthy communities | $750,000 |
| American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches | New York, NY | Grants - healthy communities | $500,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc | Saint Peter, MN | Grants - education gift match | $328,000 |
| Heart of Florida United Way | Orlando, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $250,000 |
| National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation | Washington, DC | Grants - education gift match | $250,000 |
| United Arts of Central Florida Inc | Orlando, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $250,000 |
| Seniors First Inc | Orlando, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $110,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Orlando, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $100,000 |
| The Monarch Learning Academy Inc | Orlando, FL | Grants - education gift match | $23,000 |
| The Culinary Institute of America | Hyde Park, NY | Grants - education gift match | $20,000 |
| Suffolk University | Boston, MA | Grants - education gift match | $13,000 |
| Coalition for the Homeless of Central Fl Inc | Orlando, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $10,000 |
| Meals on Wheels Inc | Sanford, FL | Grants - healthy communities | $10,000 |
| Saint Anselm College | Manchester, NH | Grants - education gift match | $7,000 |
| A Gift for Teaching Inc | Orlando, FL | Grants - education gift match | $4,000 |
| University of Florida Foundation Inc | Gainesville, FL | Grants - education gift match | $3,500 |
| Foundation Academy of Winter Garden | Winter Garden, FL | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| Lake Highland Preparatory School | Orlando, FL | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| Seacoast Charter School | Dover, NH | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| The Trustees of Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Grants - education gift match | $2,300 |
| Morehouse College Inc | Atlanta, GA | Grants - education gift match | $1,040 |
| Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | Grants - education gift match | $750 |
| Christian Brothers Lasalle High School | Wyndmoor, PA | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| Marietta College | Marietta, OH | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| St Marys Episcopal School | Tampa, FL | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| Pulaski Academy | Little Rock, AR | Grants - education gift match | $250 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,641,840 | 27 |
| 2023 | $1,646,549 | 20 |
| 2022 | $4,229,625 | 29 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 24, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503289349100205
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 59-3332929
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.