How the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation Supports the Central Florida Community

Updated

Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) is a not-for-profit event management organization based in Orlando, and its Foundation arm directs resources toward children and residents in need across Central Florida. According to the organization, while its events generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy, the Foundation stays focused on helping thousands of at-risk youth through its programs. If you want to understand what the Foundation does, which initiatives carry its name, or how to get involved, the sections below cover each.

What the Foundation focuses on

The Foundation's stated mission is community service, with a specific emphasis on at-risk youth. The organization frames this as a balance: the big events bring economic impact to the region, and the Foundation channels attention toward people who need support within that same region.

The site also poses a broader question it invites readers to explore: what if a stadium could really revitalize a neighborhood? That framing suggests the Foundation sees its venue and events as potential engines for neighborhood-level improvement, not just game-day revenue.

Named programs and events

The Foundation's community work appears through several named initiatives referenced on the FCS site:

  • MVP Strong Families Program — a family-focused program listed among the Foundation's efforts.
  • Sideline Wine & Dine — a Foundation event.
  • Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Classic — a Foundation fundraising event.
  • Florida Citrus Sports Foundation — the umbrella entity through which these programs operate.

These names matter if you're looking to attend, sponsor, or volunteer: they are the concrete entry points into the Foundation's work rather than abstract categories.

How to get involved

The site offers two direct paths for community participation:

  1. Donate — the Foundation accepts donations to support its community efforts.
  2. Volunteer — volunteering is presented as an active way to help the Foundation's programs.

Both options are surfaced alongside the Foundation's community section, and the organization describes them as ways to "be part of it all." If you're deciding between the two, donating is the lower-commitment option, while volunteering puts you directly into program activity.

Where this fits in the wider FCS picture

The Foundation is one part of Florida Citrus Sports, which also hosts major events including the Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, and the Florida Blue Florida Classic. Membership in FCS is separate from Foundation giving — membership is described as including priority seating, reserved parking, bowl scouting and networking, pep rallies, kickoff luncheons, and tailgate parties. So if your interest is community impact rather than game access, the Foundation's donate and volunteer routes are the relevant ones.

Practical next steps

  • To explore programs: look at the MVP Strong Families Program, Sideline Wine & Dine, and Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Classic pages on the FCS site.
  • To give or serve: use the Donate or Volunteer links in the Foundation's community section.
  • To stay informed: FCS offers a "Get Bigtime Updates" email signup (first name, last name, email, and zip code required) for news and events.

For direct contact, Florida Citrus Sports is located at One Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, FL 32805, phone 407.423.2476.