OCA one of 13 local profits surprised with major gifts this month
Orlando, Fla. (February 18, 2026) – The participants at OCA received a special surprise on January 28 when the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation came to our campus, bringing a significant donation of $50,000.
“The Orlando Magic prove time and again they are tremendous community partners, helping all types of non-profits improve the Central Florida community,” says Silvia Haas, CEO & co-founder, OCA. “Our participants love the Orlando Magic, and we do too!”
The gift was part of a larger endeavor that provided surprise gifts to 13 local non-profits, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. OCA was one of four that received the maximum amount of funding.
This grant will fund recreation programming for up to 65 children, ensuring they have a safe, structured space to establish healthy habits, strengthen social skills, and advance individualized learning to last well beyond the grant period.
According to a release by the Magic, this marks the 18th time the team has distributed at least $1 million to the community in a single season, with the Magic granting more than $31 million over the past 36 years to local nonprofit community organizations through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
The grantmaking process includes a rigorous multi-phase review and approval by the OMYF Board of Directors.
The OMYF is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts, and health and wellness.
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Media Contacts: Alan Byrd, 407-415-8470, alan@byrdconnections.com
About OCA: OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability) is a nonprofit serving youth and adults with autism and other special needs in Central Florida. OCA’s mission is to empower individuals and their families to fully engage and thrive in the community. What started as a conversation on a park bench in 2008 has grown into a dynamic organization serving more than 300 children and adults each year across Central Florida with therapy, recreation, vocational training, and life skills programs. With every program, OCA aims to remove barriers and create opportunities, so every participant can live with purpose, connect with peers, and reach their potential. OCA focuses on what each individual can do—because our community is full of joy, strength, and incredible ability. For more information, please visit GoOCA.org.