New Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment Grant Offered Through the IAAPA Foundation

Orlando, Florida (November 14, 2025) — The new Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment Grant for People with Disabilities is designed to support and facilitate successful professional careers for people with disabilities throughout the global attractions industry. The grant is offered through the IAAPA Foundation, the non-profit workforce development organization affiliated with IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry.

The grant has been funded through a $50,000 donation to the IAAPA Foundation generously provided by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment.

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funding is designed to remove barriers and enhance professional integration for both individuals currently working in the attractions industry and those seeking to enter or re-enter the field. Funds will be provided for three primary areas: the purchase of necessary tools, resources, and equipment; the creation of essential physical accommodations in the workplace; and specialized training, which may be for the individual with a disability or for the people who work directly with them.

Eligibility and Scope
This grant program is broadly inclusive, with no geographic restrictions on applicants. Funding is available to:

• Individuals with disabilities who are currently employed in the attractions industry, whether or not their employer is an IAAPA member.
• Individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment or professional advancement in the attractions industry, including those preparing for or transitioning into industry roles.
• Companies that are current IAAPA members seeking to provide workplace accommodations, tools, or training that support employees or prospective employees with disabilities.

The program’s scope extends to individuals working or preparing to work within all sectors of the global attractions industry, including attraction operators as well as manufacturers and suppliers. The grants are not limited to any specific job role or career stage within the broader attractions industry.

Requesting Funding
Those interested in requesting funding should send an email to [email protected] and include the following:

• For individuals currently employed: a brief description of the job the person with the disability has in the industry, including company name
• For individuals not currently employed: a brief explanation of the applicant’s career goals or the type of role they are pursuing in the attractions industry
• A description of the tool, resource, equipment, accommodation, or training requested and how it will be used
• The amount requested

 “At Ripley’s, we have always celebrated what makes people unique, extraordinary people with extraordinary stories. Supporting this grant helps remove barriers so people with disabilities can bring their talents and perspectives to the attractions industry. Inclusion makes our world more interesting, and we are proud to help people move forward in their careers,” said Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment President, Jim Pattison, Jr.

“The mission of the IAAPA Foundation is to inspire and support life-changing careers in the global attractions industry,” said IAAPA Foundation Board Chair, Jim Seay. “We are very grateful for Ripley’s generous support of this initiative, and we know it will undoubtedly make a lasting difference in people’s lives.”

Additional information about the program is available here.

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment
Built on the foundation of a daily newspaper cartoon in 1918 - still in print today - Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment has grown to be a global leader in family entertainment with more than 100 attractions across nine countries. Along with Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Ripley's Aquariums, Great Wolf Lodge (Niagara Falls), Guinness World Records attractions, wax museums, traveling shows, miniature golf courses, mirror mazes, and more, the world of Ripley's continues to grow through exciting new experiences, and online content.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment is a proud member of The Jim Pattison Group, Canada's largest private company.

Learn more about Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment by visiting Ripleys.com and following on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

About the IAAPA Foundation
The mission of the IAAPA Foundation is to inspire and support life-changing careers in the global attractions industry. As a U.S.-based 501(C)(3) non-profit, charitable organization, the IAAPA Foundation is separate from IAAPA, the 501(C)(6) global trade association. IAAPA’s Global Board of Directors approves the members of the Foundation board and supports the program through a dollar-for-dollar match of all scholarship donations through 2026—further maximizing the impact of every contribution. www.IAAPA.org/Foundation

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association representing the global attractions industry. Founded in 1918, IAAPA connects more than 6,000 members across 100 countries, providing advocacy, education, and world-class events that inspire innovation and excellence. Learn more at www.IAAPA.org.

Media Contacts:
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment
Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Senior Manager
727-439-0136 
[email protected]

IAAPA Foundation
[email protected]