Carowinds Community Outreach and Philanthropy Opportunities

Carowinds can provide park tickets to assist non-profit charitable organizations with fundraising efforts.

Carowinds’ charitable giving program is open only to eligible non-profits located within North Carolina and South Carolina. Due to the large number of donation requests we receive every year, the consideration preference is given to organizations that serve communities closest to Carowinds.

We strive to support local organizations’ fundraising efforts. Carowinds primarily donates one-day tickets to qualified non-profits that educate our youth, strengthen our community, and fall under our focus areas.

Carowinds’ charitable ticket request window will open for events or donation requests dated January 7, 2023, thru September 4, 2023. Once donations are dispensed for the year, the application form will close, and you will be encouraged to apply in the following year’s window. Unfortunately, requests submitted outside of this time will not be considered.

Carowinds is happy to review donation requests for qualifying non-profit organizations for fundraising purposes.

We provide assistance to select charitable organizations that meet these criteria through ticket donations. Due to the frequency and the extent of these requests, Carowinds has established guidelines when considering an organization’s request for ticket donations:

• No phone, mailed, emailed, or faxed requests will be accepted.
• Requests must be made during the selected ticket donation window. All events for the entire year will be considered at that time.
• All applications for Carowinds tickets must be made online via the Ticket Request Form for Charitable Organizations and must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event date to be considered.
• As a standard practice, only one request per organization per calendar year will be considered.
• If your request is approved, note that charitable tickets are generally not granted to the same group or organization the following year.
• We typically donate four (4) Carowinds one-day admission tickets per request to assist fundraising efforts for 501c3 non-profit charitable organizations and schools within a 100-mile radius of the park, once per calendar year.
• Note that submitting a donation request does not guarantee that the request will be approved.
• If your request is selected to be fulfilled, you will receive a confirmation email and will receive the ticket donation by mail five (5) to 30 days prior to your event date.
• Tickets will be sent directly to the non-profit organization. No alternate mailing addresses will be considered.
• Due to the large volume of requests received, we will not respond to phone requests, follow-up calls or emails.

Tickets are valid for the Carowinds main season (January 7, 2023, thru Labor Day, September 4, 2023).

Carowinds also fulfills many Wish Visits that are requested directly from registered non-profit wish-granting organizations. All wish requests must be submitted through a recognized and registered non-profit wish-granting organization that qualifies the recipient child’s eligibility. We do not fulfill wishes for adults or requests for second wishes, regardless of how the first wish was fulfilled.

Carowinds receives many more requests than we can support. Denial of a request does not imply that an organization's mission is not important or valid.

Thank you for your interest in Carowinds, and best of luck with your fundraising endeavors.

• Organizations based in the United States must be verifiable through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Exempt Organizations Select Check online tool or the National Center for Education Statistics database.
• Organizations must represent that they operate within the parameters of all applicable laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.S. Patriot Act, and all applicable laws and regulations in countries where program support is provided.
• Organizations must represent they do not discriminate in employment practices or services based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• The Organization must have at least one year of documented operating history.

• Organizations or public benefit programs that do not qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or, for non-U.S. organizations.
• Organizations that operate or support activities counter to the policies of Carowinds, and Cedar Fair, respectively.
• Donations for families or individuals.
• Faith-based organizations or religious programs whose principal purpose is promulgating a particular religious faith, creed, or doctrine, and whose programs do not serve the broader public, regardless of religious belief. Some secular community service programs, such as soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless, job banks, etc., even though sponsored by religious organizations, are eligible.
• Fundraising for organizations, sponsorships, or donations for individuals, teams, or organizations raising funds on behalf of another benefiting group (e.g., walk-a-thons, contests, pageants, scholarships, or ambassador programs).
• Organizations that are actively engaged in highly controversial issues or who 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 and its institutions. A controversial tactic is an unlawful activity or an extreme action that intentionally damages or threatens people or property.
• Organizations that are raising funds to give to another charity.
• Private foundations (non-public charities, including personal and corporate foundations).
• Publications, films, television programs, and other media production. Instead, please refer to the following information: Media Center | Media Pass Request.
• Recreational, sporting, or athletic associations, unless serving special needs or underserved populations.
• Requests that solely focus on payment of group or individual travel expenses such as team-based competitions, illness, or hardship.
• Requests to benefit activities such as recognition events, holiday parties, incentive programs, class celebrations, group visits, competitions, or sporting events.
• School groups or organizations that only target a specialized program or smaller group of students (e.g., band, sports team, drill team, etc.). The donation must benefit the whole school to be considered
• Social, labor union, alumni, or trade associations, fraternal or political (including candidates, causes, and campaigns) organizations, or organizations (civic leagues, business leagues) that serve a limited constituency.
• Unsolicited requests to support dinners, conferences, seminars, and workshops.

• We do not accept unsolicited requests for complimentary hotel, travel arrangements, merchandise items, or other forms of donations.
• Items donated to an organization are for charitable purposes only and may not be marketed or resold, with the exception of charitable fundraising auctions.

• Tickets may be used for charitable fundraising efforts only.
• Tickets may be used to reward volunteers, as a contest prize, for charitable fundraising.
• Tickets may not be sold or bartered.
• Lost, stolen, or expired tickets are not eligible for replacement or exchange.

The World Passport, provided through IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) provides you and your family the opportunity to visit any of the included theme parks/amusement parks for one year from the date of departure. The family members listed on your World Passport will receive complimentary admission. Please remember the Passport allows you to visit these facilities one (1) time while your child's Passport is valid.

To Redeem Your Passport Tickets: Please complete this form and email it to the Carowinds communications department with a photo of a valid Give Kids The World passport and at least three (3) business days prior, and no more than 15 business days, to the requested visit date. Parking is not included.