CITIZENSHIP
Through environmental stewardship, philanthropy and community engagement, we’re bringing our cast members, families and friends together in ways that make a positive impact on the world that we share.
CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY
Every year we continue Walt Disney’s commitment to philanthropy and outreach in the global communities where we live, work and play. Through charitable contributions, product donations, collaborations with local organizations and cast member and community volunteerism, we are proud to do our part.
Wish Granting
For more than 40 years, Disney has been providing magic to wish kids and their families when they need it most. Together with Make-A-Wish®, Cast Members share their creativity and heart in fulfilling wishes such as first looks at new attractions, one-of-a-kind resort visits, and family Disney Cruise Line voyages.
Meet Luke and his family, who were among the first to board Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World earlier this year!
Charitable Giving
Whether responding to urgent needs around the world or offering thoughtful community solutions, Disney works with cast and community partners to make a difference. Leveraging resources from various lines of business, we provide donations of food and financial contributions, merchandise such as books, toys and clothing, and the service of our VoluntEARS.
Watch and read about how Disney VoluntEARS help students!
FOOD DONATIONS
Carrying on a longstanding tradition of supporting local food banks, since March 2020 Disney has donated more than $14.6 million worth of food to hunger-relief organizations globally – the equivalent of more than 2.1 million meals. Disney parks and resorts around the world share a bounty of prepared foods, as well as dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods.
Watch and read about how giving back to folks in need is a source of pride for Chef Ralph and his team.
ADDRESSING HOUSING INSECURITY
To help support families experiencing homelessness and poverty, Disney works with national organizations like United Way, as well as local community groups such as the Chrysalis and Illumination Foundation in Southern California, and Hope Partnership in Central Florida. In addition to financial support, Disney encourages Cast Members to volunteer as mentors.
Meet Kim, a Disneyland Cast Member who volunteers to help others achieve their dreams.
Youth Volunteering
To celebrate the importance of family volunteerism and the efforts of schools and nonprofits that organize volunteer projects, the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program thanks those making a difference with Disney theme park tickets. More than 900,000 volunteers and 10,000 nonprofits and schools have contributed more than four million hours of volunteer service since January 2018.
Meet the Aguirres, who were named the Point of Light Volunteer Family of the Year!
Encouraging Young Readers
Disney promotes reading to help inspire the next generation of diverse creators, thinkers and leaders. For more than 20 years, Disney Publishing Worldwide has donated millions of books to the nonprofit group First Book, and continues to support its efforts through shopDisney’s “Buy a Book, Give a Book” campaign.
Read about how Katie, a Disney Publishing employee works to ensure that both children and educators have access to some of Disney’s most beloved books and series.
Spreading Joy
Holiday toy donations, surprise visits from beloved characters, and the cheerful, innovative designs of Imagineers in children’s hospitals. These are just a few of the ways Disney brings comfort, smiles and magical fun to children and families facing challenges around the world.
Hear from Imagineer Katie about her journey in bringing smiles to patients at children’s hospitals, a place where she spent many days as a child.
SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW
We invest in our communities by helping to pipeline future talent and develop the workforce with skill-building and mentorship opportunities. Through transformative programs, we’re helping to support our local economies and develop the creative thinkers and leaders of tomorrow who will improve our world.
Investing in the Future
Disney helps empower tomorrow’s leaders with scholarships, support for academic and training programs that nurture developing talent, and community partnerships that enhance education options and resources. Examples of Disney’s educational investments for underrepresented groups include supporting the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Disney United Negro College Fund Corporate Scholars.
Read about Cast Member Darrell Fry’s meaningful experience with the Disney Dreamers Academy.
Supporting Job Training
We’re working with organizations in our communities to help foster local economies and workforces. By hosting drives for business casual clothing, providing career guidance, supporting workplace readiness programs and more, we strive to help our neighbors fortify their skill sets, increase employability and secure pathways to new careers.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Disney Cast Members give generously of their time and talents, supporting young people as they strive to achieve their goals. Through mentorship programs, Imagineers’ endeavors such as student design competitions, as well as sponsoring youth-focused organizations, Disney helps put dreams within reach for future leaders and storytellers.
Learn how Walt Disney World Cast Members inspire the STEM storytellers of the future.
PROTECTING OUR PLANET
We take Walt Disney’s legacy of caring for the environment to heart – harnessing new technologies and practices to help reduce our impact on the planet. From experiences that spark a conservation mindset for our guests, to utilizing more sustainable practices for our business, We continue to do our part to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and have set ambitious environmental goals for 2030 to do our part to protect the planet.
Disney Planet Possible
For nearly a century, we at Disney have found inspiration in the wonders of the world we share, and have taken action to support a healthier planet for people and wildlife around the globe. That includes reducing our environmental footprint, caring for wildlife and their habitats, and creating stories that inspire action. We call these collective efforts, Disney Planet Possible — tangible actions we’re taking to put possibility into practice and inspire optimism for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Learn more about our new Disney Planet Possible here.
Disney's Animals, Science and Environment Team
With ~1,000 species protected in half the countries in the world, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team is committed to saving wildlife and preserving the magic of nature. Specialists that include animal care, conservation, education, scientific, nutrition, veterinary and behavioral professionals care for more than 5,000 animals and more than 300 species across our parks, including a number of endangered and threatened species.
Meet our Rhino siblings and learn about how they drive Disney conservation.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy and fuel are power sources of choice for Disney theme parks. In fact, with two new solar arrays, Walt Disney World Resort will more than double its available solar energy resources, making it possible for 40 percent of the site’s energy supply to be generated by the sun.
Read Mark Penning’s overview about our newest solar energy initiatives.
Sustainable Products
As part of our commitment to actions that help change our planet’s story, Disney is focusing on sustainable products. We’re introducing merchandise featuring recycled material, organic cotton, less plastic, and more sustainable packaging, such as our plastic-free packaging for Core Classic dolls made of 100% recyclable and sustainably sourced paper.
Check out this video that shows how interesting our new plastic-free packaging is!
Waste Management
By reducing the amount of waste we generate, reusing what we can and recycling materials, we can help reduce biodiversity loss, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while also protecting local communities. In 2020, recycling and diversion programs across Disney destinations kept 139 million pounds less waste from being sent to landfills than in 2008.
Read more about how our Cast Members are making a difference across Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
