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Orange County Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$125.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.0M

Orange County Community Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $125,000,000 (FY2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Orange County, CA (also supports national/international causes through donor-advised funds)
  • Total Assets: $793,000,000 (as of June 30, 2025)
  • Cumulative Granting: $1.25 billion since 1989

Contact Details

Website: www.oc-cf.org

Main Office: Irvine, CA

Grants Manager: Joe Cordell
Phone: (949) 464-4184
Email: jcordell@oc-cf.org

Center for Engaged Philanthropy: Keri Mesina, Director
Email: kmesina@oc-cf.org

Overview

The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) was established in 1989 and is based in Newport Beach, California. With $793 million in total assets and $125 million awarded in grants and scholarships in FY2025, OCCF is the 7th most active grantmaker among more than 800 U.S. community foundations. The foundation's mission is to transform "our Community's Heartfelt Intention into Greater Impact for Good" by combining giving strategy, community intelligence, and enduring relationships. OCCF operates around four core values: Community, Understanding, Potential, and Courage. The foundation manages over 650 charitable funds spanning donor-advised, community, and field-of-interest programs, and exceeded its ambitious goal of $1 billion in cumulative granting more than a year ahead of schedule in 2024. OCCF holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

OCCF awards grants year-round through competitive grant cycles as well as discretionary and advised grantmaking. Key programs include:

Arts & Culture

  • Jane Deming Fund: Musical activities and education in Orange County, with priority for stringed instruments, music camp tuition, instrument purchases, and performances for underserved communities
  • Robert & Doreen Marshall Fund: Dramatic arts and classical music in Orange County, including opera, choral/symphonic performances, and youth arts education
  • San Clemente History, Arts & Culture Fund: Arts/culture production, participation, performance, and education for San Clemente organizations

Environment & Animal Welfare

  • Henry W. & Ellen R Warne Family Endowment Fund: Endangered species protection and habitat improvement, focusing on habitat restoration, ecosystem resilience, and population sustainability (next cycle opens September 2025)

Health

  • The Surgical Care Fund: Supports volunteer-driven organizations providing surgical care for birth defects, blindness, hearing loss, dental issues, and cleft lip repair. Applications available via online form.

Human Services

  • Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women: Currently in strategic planning phase; details releasing June 2026
  • TK Foundation Youth Sailing Program: $4,000–$15,000 grants for disadvantaged youth development through sailing (Deadline: January 31, 2026)

Education

  • Inspired Teacher Grant Program: Open to Orange County preK-12 public and charter school teachers for classroom projects, field trips, tools, and materials. In partnership with Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation for STEM/STEAM projects. The foundation awarded $200,000 to 66 school projects benefiting 15,075 students in recent cycles, with a goal of $300,000 to fund 100 projects benefiting 20,000 students.

Social Justice

  • Orange County Social Justice Fund: Launched in 2023, envisions "an Orange County where all residents have equal economic, civic, and social rights and opportunities." Awards approximately $460,000 annually to 25 organizations that meet urgent needs in marginalized communities, create change through collaborative efforts, and address root causes of economic, political, and social injustice.

African American Alliance Fund

  • Established in 2020, has distributed over $800,000 to 71 nonprofit organizations. Recent grants totaled $178,500 to 28 organizations (2024) across five priority areas: Education, Health, Human Services, Economic Opportunity, and Civic Engagement.

Priority Areas

Through field of interest grant programs, OCCF provides assistance to programs and organizations in Orange County supporting:

  • Arts and local culture
  • Environment and conservation
  • Education and youth development
  • Health and human services
  • Health and wellness (with focus on prevention and early health intervention for children)
  • Mental health, housing, and homelessness (strong commitment evident in tax filings, with priorities on addiction disorders, victims of domestic violence, and vulnerable youth)
  • Social justice and equity
  • Veterans causes
  • Community development

The majority of OCCF's granting (approximately $69 million) flows through donor-advised funds, which support organizations in Orange County, throughout the nation, and internationally.

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented on OCCF's website. Organizations should review individual grant program guidelines for specific eligibility criteria and restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Shelley Hoss - Chief Executive Officer
  • Tammy Tumbling - President. Quote: "We are proud to continue supporting and empowering Black-led organizations with resources to grow their operations and impact."
  • Brian Schaefgen, CPA - Chief Financial Officer
  • Sharon Johnson - Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Cathleen Otero - Chief Operating Officer

Senior Grant and Program Staff

  • Joe Cordell - Grants Manager
  • Rachel Donawerth - Scrum Master & Grants Administrator
  • Keri Mesina - Director of Center for Engaged Philanthropy
  • Margita Labhard - Senior Director of Philanthropic Strategy
  • Joanne Gonzalez Forster - Director of Philanthropic Strategy

Board of Governors

The foundation is governed by a Board of Governors. Recently announced members include Anna Escobedo Cabral, Tam T. Nguyen, and Fram Virjee.

Foundation Values

Keith Swayne, visionary creator of the Orange County Social Justice Fund, emphasized: "If we are going to be a thriving county, we must be one that accepts everyone and sees diversity as a strength."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL FIRST STEP: To be eligible for grants from OCCF, nonprofits must complete a Nonprofit Central profile at OC Nonprofit Central. This is Orange County's first-ever, fully searchable online database of local nonprofit organizations. Organizations should allocate 4-6 hours of staff time to complete the profile within 3-4 weeks of starting the process. Nonprofit Central coaches are available to support organizations during profile development.

IMPORTANT: Unsolicited grant proposals are not accepted by OCCF. Every grant program has its own application process and annual cycle. Organizations must wait for specific grant opportunities to open and apply through the designated process for each fund.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Organizations must be verified 501(c)(3) Public Charity designated organizations that file an IRS Form 990 or 990EZ
  • Must serve or be headquartered in Orange County, California (for field-of-interest funds)
  • If your organization files a 990N, is fiscally sponsored, is a local chapter of a national organization, or is not required to file a 990, you will need to complete the OCCF financial input template showing financial history for the last three years

Application Methods: Each grant program uses its own application portal or online form. Some programs use TFAforms for online submissions, while others use the OC Nonprofit Central platform.

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: If you are a previous or current OCCF grantee, all reporting requirements must be current or your organization will not be considered for funding.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant program. Individual funds operate on different cycles—some annual, some rolling. Organizations should monitor OCCF's available grants page for current deadlines and application windows. Many programs close applications and announce when the next cycle will open.

Success Rates

OCCF does not publicly disclose overall success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. Given that the foundation distributed $125 million in FY2025 through over 650 funds, success rates likely vary significantly by program.

Recent specific program data:

  • Inspired Teacher Grant Program: Awarded $200,000 to 66 school projects from an undisclosed number of applications
  • Orange County Social Justice Fund: Awarded $460,000 to 25 organizations in 2024
  • African American Alliance Fund: Awarded $178,500 to 28 organizations in 2024

Reapplication Policy

OCCF does not publicly document a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants or waiting periods between applications. Policies likely vary by individual fund. Organizations should contact the specific fund manager or grants team for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on OCCF's recent grantmaking patterns and publicly available information:

Alignment with Fund Priorities Each fund has specific focus areas. For example, the African American Alliance Fund prioritizes five areas: Education, Health, Human Services, Economic Opportunity, and Civic Engagement. The Orange County Social Justice Fund seeks organizations that demonstrate "investment in meeting urgent needs in marginalized and underserved communities, creating change through community collaborative efforts, and addressing root causes of economic, political, and social injustice."

Community Impact Focus OCCF values organizations that demonstrate clear, measurable community impact. The Social Justice Fund operates on three core principles: (1) Diversity is an asset, (2) Moving toward unity, (3) Creating local impact.

Collaborative Approaches The foundation explicitly values "community collaborative efforts" and has supported projects like The Future is Working Giving Day, which raised $418,171 for 18 local organizations developing a thriving workforce through employment pathways.

Current Reporting Compliance Organizations with existing OCCF grants must maintain current reporting to remain eligible for future funding—a strict requirement that signals the foundation's emphasis on accountability and stewardship.

Clear Use of Funds For teacher grants and other project-specific funding, applications should "be clear on what the Impact100OC dollars will be covering under your annual budget" and show "clear programming specific to the focus area identified."

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

  • 100 Black Men of Los Angeles (African American Alliance Fund)
  • Advocates for African American Elders (African American Alliance Fund)
  • High School Inc., Academies Foundation (Social Justice Fund)
  • Human Options, Inc. (Social Justice Fund)
  • The LGBTQ Center Orange County (Social Justice Fund)
  • Reverend Chineta Goodjoin, New Hope Presbyterian Church: "This grant helps establish a Historically Black Youth Orchestra in Orange County" (African American Alliance Fund)

Strategic Planning Organizations with solid, strategic plans increase their likelihood of receiving funding. The foundation is currently in strategic planning phases for some funds (e.g., Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women), indicating they value thoughtful planning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Register with OC Nonprofit Central first: This is a mandatory prerequisite for accessing OCCF grant opportunities and takes 4-6 hours to complete. Having a complete, current profile is essential.

  • Do not submit unsolicited proposals: OCCF only accepts applications through announced grant cycles for specific funds. Monitor their website for opportunities that align with your mission.

  • Focus on Orange County impact: While donor-advised funds support causes nationally and internationally, field-of-interest and collaborative funds prioritize organizations serving Orange County communities.

  • Maintain compliance if you're a current grantee: All reporting requirements must be current to be considered for additional funding—this is strictly enforced.

  • Align precisely with fund-specific priorities: With over 650 funds, each has distinct criteria. A perfect fit for the Social Justice Fund may not align with the Environmental Fund. Read guidelines carefully.

  • Demonstrate collaborative impact: OCCF values organizations that work collaboratively to address root causes of community challenges, not just symptoms.

  • Plan for varied timelines: Some funds open annually, others have rolling applications. The TK Foundation Youth Sailing Program has a January 31 deadline, while the Warne Family Endowment opens in September. Planning ahead is essential.

References

Information accessed December 2024

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