CHARITABLE GIVING GUIDELINES
The Walt Disney Company aspires to be the most admired company in the world,
equally admired for the integrity of our people and the way we behave as citizens of
the world as we are for the quality of our exceptional entertainment experiences.
PHILANTHROPIC VISION
Disney will build on our philanthropic legacy with programs that share our resources
and talents to make lasting, positive change in communities and promote the happiness
and well-being of kids and families
FUNDING PRIORITIES
Due to the overwhelming number of requests Disney receives, these guidelines are
meant to assist organizations in understanding the company’s charitable priorities.
Generally, Disney does not consider unsolicited requests for financial support. Requests
for U.S. theme park tickets may be considered if the request meets certain criteria.
Please see section entitled “Additional Requirements for Park Tickets” below for more
information.
Grants and financial support are focused on three areas:
1) Compassion: Disney seeks to bring happiness, hope and laughter to kids and
families in need around the world.
What We Fund
i)
Children’s Hospitals: Bring hope and happiness to kids and families during their
hospital stay (in areas where we do business).
ii) Disney Wishes: Create experiences that provide hope, strength and joy to kids
faced with illness.
iii) Disaster Preparedness and Relief: Help kids and families prepare for disasters and
provide support to communities impacted by disasters.
iv) Military Families: Provide support to organizations that create opportunities for
and provide comfort to military personnel and veterans and their families, especially
returning veterans.
v) Healthy Kids: Promote healthy lifestyles for kids and families through nutrition and
physical activity.
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2) Conservation: Disney seeks to conserve nature for future generations and help kids
develop life-long conservation values through nature exploration.
What We Fund
i)
Protecting the Planet: Collaborate with communities around the world to serve as
stewards of vulnerable ecosystems.
ii) Supporting Grassroots Conservation: Work with communities and organizations to
protect the planet.
iii) Connecting Kids to Nature: Provide opportunities for discovery and exploration of
nature that build lifelong conservation values
iv) Emergency Funding: Provide relief in response to urgent environmental or
conservation needs.
3) Creativity: Disney seeks to harness the power of creativity and imagination to
improve the lives of kids and the communities they live in and allow them to create the
future they imagine.
What We Fund
i)
Imagination: Promote multidisciplinary approaches to hands-on learning after
school.
ii)
Storytelling: Support efforts to foster storytelling.
iii) Play: Bring play to underserved communities and incorporate play into after-school
programs.
iv) Thought Leadership: Support research that advances the understanding and
measurement of creativity in kids and families.
ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
The Walt Disney Company will consider organizations meeting the following eligibility
criteria. Generally, Disney does not consider unsolicited requests for financial support.
Required:
• Electronically verifiable in the IRS Business Master File or National Center for
Education Statistics database
• U.S. Patriot Act compliant
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Other Criteria:
• Organizations that our employees have volunteered with and have been supported
by the Company
• Organizations that create sustainable community improvement
INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
The Walt Disney Company receives many more requests than it can support. When a
request is denied, it does not imply that the applicant’s program is not vital or valued. It
may be that the request does not fall within our giving guidelines or three focus areas, or
that all charitable funds for the year have been allocated.
As a standard practice, The Walt Disney Company does not support and considers
ineligible:
• Organizations including private schools, that have not been granted tax-exempt
status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or international
equivalency, or that are not a K-12 public school or school district.
• Organizations that are actively engaged in highly controversial issues or use
controversial tactics to advocate their position. A controversial issue is a serious
matter for which different segments of the community have strong opposing
positions and that has an impact on society or its institutions. A controversial tactic
is an unlawful activity, or an extreme action that intentionally damages or threatens
people or property
• Social, labor union, alumni, ortrade associations, fraternal or political organizations,
or organizations serving a limited constituency
• Organizations that operate or support activities that are counter to the policies of
The Walt Disney Company
• Faith-based organizations or religious programs whose principal purpose is
promulgating a particular religious faith, creed or doctrine
• Travel by groups or individuals
• Organizations that discriminate in the provision of services unlawfully or in a manner
inconsistent with Disney’s policies on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national
origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation or gender
identity
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• Organizations seeking underwriting for advertising
• Organizations that fulfill wishes for adults or requests for second wishes for children,
regardless of how the child’s first wish was fulfilled.
GENERALLY INELIGIBLE REQUESTS
When evaluating requests, The Walt Disney Company will generally not support the
following:
• Unsolicited proposals
• Dinners, conferences, seminars and workshops
• Capital campaigns
• Recreational, sporting or athletic associations
• Private foundations
• Underwriting for program sponsorship
• Multi-year commitments
• Publications, films or television programs
• Campaigns to eliminate or control specific diseases
The Walt Disney Company reserves the right (in its sole discretion) to change, suspend,
revoke or terminate its charitable giving at any time, without advance notice, and to make
the final determination of the eligibility of all organizations.
DISNEY WISHES – PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
• Through our Disney Wishes program, we fulfill first wishes referred by nonprofit
wish-granting organizations that make wishes come true for children, ages 2 ½
-18, with life-threatening medical conditions. All wish requests must be submitted
through a recognized and registered nonprofit wish-granting organization that
qualifies the child’s eligibility. We do not fulfill wishes for adult wishes or requests for
second wishes for children, regardless of how the child’s first wish was fulfilled.
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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PARK TICKETS IN THE UNITED
STATES AND CANADA
Eligible nonprofit organizations (see above) may request U.S. theme park tickets under
the Ticket Guidelines below. The majority of approved 501 (c)(3) charitable contribution
requests in the U.S. are eligible to be fulfilled once per calendar year with a standard
gift of one-day Park Hopper® tickets to be used for fundraising purposes. Due to the
popularity of Disney Resorts and Theme Parks, and Disney Cruise Line®, we are not
able to offer complimentary hotel or cruise accommodations, travel arrangements,
merchandise items, or other forms of donations.
TICKET GUIDELINES
• Park tickets may be used for fundraising efforts only
• Requests must be received a minimum of 60 days and no more than six months prior
to the event date
• One request per nonprofit charitable organization will be accepted within a
12-month period
• Donations must be made directly to the charitable organization and not to an
alternative delivery address
INELIGIBLE USES AND RECIPIENTS
• Sponsorships or donations for individuals or teams (for example, walk-a-thons,
contests, pageants, scholarships, or ambassador programs)
• Individuals or organizations raising funds on behalf of another benefiting group
• Activities or efforts such as competitions, recognition events, holiday parties, door
prizes, give-aways, and reward or other incentive programs
• Donations that will be used in broadcast promotions
• Donations for families or individuals
Please refer to Charitable Giving for additional information.
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