Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation
Accepts applications
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation is a private foundation in Orlando, Florida. In tax year 2024 it gave $6.6 million in 27 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $4.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$6.6 million
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$4.0 million
- Assets$12.1 million
- New grantees52%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.6 million the year before.
52% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $4.2 million | 29 | $4.3 million |
| 2023 | $1.6 million | 17 | $11.1 million |
| 2024 | $6.6 million | 27 | $12.1 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Stephanie Ghertner 1000 Darden Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32837 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (407) 245-5115 |
| What to submit | 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 |
| 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 |
What Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1 | $4.0 million |
| Florida | 12 | $766,000 |
| Georgia | 2 | $751,040 |
| New York | 2 | $520,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $328,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $250,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $13,000 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $9,500 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $2,300 |
| Ohio | 2 | $1,250 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding America | Grants - healthy communities | $4.0 million |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Grants - healthy communities | $750,000 |
| American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches | Grants - healthy communities | $500,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc | Grants - education gift match | $328,000 |
| Heart of Florida United Way | Grants - healthy communities | $250,000 |
| National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation | Grants - education gift match | $250,000 |
| United Arts of Central Florida Inc | Grants - healthy communities | $250,000 |
| Seniors First Inc | Grants - healthy communities | $110,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Grants - healthy communities | $100,000 |
| The Monarch Learning Academy Inc | Grants - education gift match | $23,000 |
| The Culinary Institute of America | Grants - education gift match | $20,000 |
| Suffolk University | Grants - education gift match | $13,000 |
| Coalition for the Homeless of Central FL Inc | Grants - healthy communities | $10,000 |
| Meals on Wheels Inc | Grants - healthy communities | $10,000 |
| Saint Anselm College | Grants - education gift match | $7,000 |
| A Gift for Teaching Inc | Grants - education gift match | $4,000 |
| University of Florida Foundation Inc | Grants - education gift match | $3,500 |
| Foundation Academy of Winter Garden | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| Lake Highland Preparatory School | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| Seacoast Charter School | Grants - education gift match | $2,500 |
| The Trustees of Princeton University | Grants - education gift match | $2,300 |
| Morehouse College Inc | Grants - education gift match | $1,040 |
| Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation | Grants - education gift match | $750 |
| Christian Brothers Lasalle High School | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| Marietta College | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| St Marys Episcopal School | Grants - education gift match | $500 |
| Pulaski Academy | Grants - education gift match | $250 |
Officers and trustees
- Mone Isaia
- Susan M Connelly
- Ricardo Cardenas
- Matthew R Broad
- Mary Darden
- Noni A Holmes-Kidd
- Joe Lee
- Angela M Simmons
- Stephanie L Ghertner
- John Martin
- Theresa Willings
- Rajesh Vennam
- Scott Brophy
- Andrew Rush
Questions people ask
Does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation give?
$6.6 million in tax year 2024, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Mone Isaia (Assistant Secretary), Susan M Connelly (President), Ricardo Cardenas (Chairman & Trustee) and Matthew R Broad (Trustee) among 14 officers and trustees.
What does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, food and hunger and human services.