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Orange County United Way

Annual Giving
$21.4M

Orange County United Way

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Variable (142 grants in 2024)
  • Geographic Focus: All 34 cities in Orange County, California

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1924, Orange County United Way is celebrating over 100 years of service to Orange County, California. With total revenue of $26.2 million in 2024, they distributed $21.3 million in grants to 142 organizations while also operating direct service programs. The organization serves over 1 million Orange County residents annually through both their funded partner network of 1,100+ local service partners and direct programs. Operating under their FACE 2024 strategic framework - a 10-year collaborative community action plan - they use a collective impact model that emphasizes collaboration over traditional program funding. They've earned a 100% score and Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, with 86% of investments going directly to programs and people.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Orange County United Way operates through three key strategic initiatives:

  • United for Student Success℠: Supporting students in Title 1 high schools for college and career readiness
  • United for Financial Security℠: Helping families achieve financial stability through workforce development and financial empowerment
  • United to End Homelessness℠: Housing navigation and support services, including the WelcomeHomeOC program

Priority Areas

  • Education: College and career readiness, particularly in Title 1 schools
  • Financial Stability: Free tax preparation, workforce development, financial empowerment programs
  • Housing/Homelessness: Housing navigation, eviction diversion, affordable housing advocacy
  • Health/Social Services: 211OC helpline connecting residents to resources

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in publicly available materials

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Susan B. Parks (serving for 15+ years)

  • "We step up to actively address the critical issues facing our community and we go the extra mile to make sure our residents have the support they need. Last year, we served 1,010,443 people in Orange County because that's The OC Way."

Board Officers:

  • Vice Chair: Shirin Behzadi
  • Treasurer: Hugh Conners
  • Secretary: Maggie O'Sullivan

The Board comprises professionals from banking, healthcare, real estate, legal, technology, and corporate sectors, bringing diverse expertise to guide the organization's strategic direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Orange County United Way does not have a public application process. Funding appears to be invitation-based or developed through strategic relationships. Organizations are selected to support the FACE 2024 strategic initiatives through:

  • Direct outreach by United Way staff
  • Participation in collective impact networks
  • Strategic alignment with United Way's three key initiatives
  • Existing relationships within the Enhanced Care Referral Network (100+ CBOs)

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking partnership opportunities should:

  • Contact Bo Bonanni, Director of Community Collaboration (BoBonanni@UnitedWayOC.org / 949.263.6133) to explore partnership possibilities
  • Participate in United Way OC's collective impact meetings in relevant focus areas (education, financial stability, health, housing)
  • Connect through the 211OC network if providing direct services
  • Engage with United Way OC at community events and collaborative meetings
  • Demonstrate capacity for data sharing and collaborative work aligned with FACE 2024 goals

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

In 2024: 142 grants awarded (compared to 80 in 2023 and 36 in 2022), showing significant growth in grant-making activity

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way OC's collective impact model and FACE 2024 framework, successful partners demonstrate:

  • Strategic Alignment: Clear connection to one of three key initiatives (Student Success, Financial Security, or Ending Homelessness)
  • Collaborative Capacity: Willingness to participate in collective impact meetings and share data
  • Geographic Relevance: Serving one or more of Orange County's 34 cities, particularly areas with high need
  • Measurable Impact: Ability to track and report outcomes that contribute to FACE 2024 goals
  • Long-term Partnership Mindset: Focus on sustained collaboration rather than one-time funding
  • Multi-sector Approach: Understanding of how their work connects with education, health, housing, and financial stability

CEO Susan Parks emphasizes going "the extra mile to make sure our residents have the support they need," suggesting partners who demonstrate innovation and comprehensive support approaches may be favored.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - funding is relationship-based and strategically aligned with FACE 2024 goals
  • Collective impact focus - partners must be willing to collaborate, share data, and work toward community-wide goals
  • Hybrid funding model - United Way both makes grants AND operates direct services, creating multiple partnership opportunities
  • Growing grant portfolio - 142 grants in 2024 vs. 80 in 2023 indicates expanding funding capacity
  • Direct contact encouraged - Bo Bonanni serves as primary contact for exploring partnership opportunities
  • Long-term partnerships preferred - focus on multi-year collaborative relationships over one-time grants
  • High community impact - serving 1+ million residents demonstrates scale and reach expectations for partners

References

  • United Way of Orange County official website - www.unitedwayoc.org (accessed January 2025)
  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data for EIN 33-0047994 (2024 filing)
  • Charity Navigator profile - Orange County United Way rating and financials
  • Candid Foundation Directory - Orange County United Way profile
  • Instrumentl 990 Report - Financial analysis for EIN 33-0047994
  • GuideStar profile - Organization overview and governance
  • Orange County United Way 2024 Annual Report (Issuu publication)
  • Orange County Business Journal - Leadership profiles and organizational updates
  • United Way Worldwide directory - Orange County affiliate listing
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