DeVos Family Foundation Donates $1 Million to Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts
The DeVos family, ‘caretakers’ of the Orlando Magic, are donating to the Hurricane Recovery Fund as well as statewide efforts
The DeVos Family Foundation today announced a $1 million donation to assist with Hurricane Ian relief efforts in Central Florida and across the state.
The DeVos Family Foundation (DVFF) and the Orlando Magic organization are working closely with local partners and officials to ensure help is available to those most impacted in Central Florida and throughout the entire region.
DVFF is directing $500,000 to the Hurricane Recovery Fund set up by the Heart of Florida United Way and the Central Florida Foundation. This collaborative effort announced earlier today includes many corporate, individual and Foundation contributors across the region.
In addition, DVFF is directing $250,000 to the statewide Florida Disaster Fund championed by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis. An additional $250,000 will be reserved for future rebuilding efforts as prioritized needs unfold.
“Our hearts are with this community, which has long been part of our family,” said Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos. “We will continue to partner with organizations closest to those most impacted, and as always, prioritize the health and safety of the people in the region. This community is resilient, and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected as well as the leaders and first responders who continually put neighbors first.”
The DeVos family has a long history of helping out in times of need in Central Florida.
- In 2004, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley, Richard and Helen DeVos donated $1 million to relief efforts in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Polk Counties.
- In 2020, they backed a $2 million compensation fund for hourly employees of the Magic, Amway Center, Lakeland Magic and Solar Bears while their seasons were suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, assisting approximately 1,800 part-time employees.
- In 2016, they contributed $400,000 to the One Orlando Fund following the tragedy at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
In addition to this community support, the DeVos Family Foundation will continue its 30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative with the Orlando Magic throughout the 2022-23 season, providing funding and in-game recognition for nonprofit honorees doing impactful work in the Orlando area. The donations are part of the DeVos family’s effort to contribute a total of $3 million to 30 area nonprofit organizations over the course of this season and last, seeking to invest in people and projects impacting youth, essential needs for families, and community enrichment across Central Florida.
According to Governor DeSantis’ Office, the Florida Disaster Fund and Volunteer Florida are working with the Department of Children and Families and Sunshine Health through the First Lady’s Hope Florida Initiative to open Family Resource Support Centers with one-on-one support for impacted families, including Hope Navigators and counseling resources on site for those who are struggling and need help. The first resource centers will open in Tampa and New Port Richey, but anyone who needs help can call the Hope Line at 850-300-HOPE.
About the DeVos Family Foundation
The DeVos Family Foundation (DVFF) is a collaborative effort between the second and third generations of the Rich and Helen DeVos family. DVFF supports strategic projects and initiatives that impact the community, empower individuals to reach their full potential, and catalyze change. DVFF has a particular interest in programs that promote the healthy growth of children and families, provide every individual with pathways to opportunities, and foster thriving communities for people to live, work, and play. DVFF strives for impact through partnerships and funding primarily in West Michigan and Central Florida. For more information, please visit devosfamilyfoundation.org.
About the Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning six division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $26 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 31 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the 2021 G League champion Lakeland Magic, which began play in the 2017-18 season in nearby Lakeland, Fla.; the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning; and Magic Gaming, of the NBA 2K League, which began play in the spring of 2018. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Amway Center, honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year. For ticket information log on to OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
Magic media contacts: Joel Glass | 407.491.4826 | jglass@orllandomagic.com or Trish Wingerson | 407.538.0892 | twingerson@orlandomagic.com