Orange County Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $110,872,689 (Tax Year 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by programme
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Orange County, CA (also supports national/international causes through donor-advised funds)
• Total Assets: $567,674,947 (Tax Year 2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.oc-cf.org

Main Office: Irvine, CA

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

Centre 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 $567.7 million in total assets and $110.9 million in total expenses in FY2023, OCCF serves as a leading community foundation in Southern California. 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 programmes. OCCF holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

OCCF awards grants year-round through competitive grant cycles as well as discretionary and advised grantmaking. Key programmes 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 organisations

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 (operates on annual cycles)

Health

• The Surgical Care Fund: Supports volunteer-driven organisations 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
• TK Foundation Youth Sailing Programme: $4,000–$15,000 grants for disadvantaged youth development through sailing (operates on annual cycles with winter deadlines)

Education

• Inspired Teacher Grant Programme: 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 organisations that meet urgent needs in marginalised 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 organisations. Recent grants totalled $178,500 to 28 organisations (2024) across five priority areas: Education, Health, Human Services, Economic Opportunity, and Civic Engagement.

Priority Areas

Through field of interest grant programmes, OCCF provides assistance to programmes and organisations 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 organisations in Orange County, throughout the nation, and internationally.

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented on OCCF's website. Organisations should review individual grant programme 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 organisations 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 Programme Staff

• Joe Cordell - Grants Manager
• Rachel Donawerth - Scrum Master & Grants Administrator
• Keri Mesina - Director of Centre 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, emphasised: "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 organisations. Organisations 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 organisations during profile development.

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

Eligibility Requirements:

• Organisations must be verified 501(c)(3) Public Charity designated organisations that file an IRS Form 990 or 990EZ
• Must serve or be headquartered in Orange County, California (for field-of-interest funds)
• If your organisation files a 990N, is fiscally sponsored, is a local chapter of a national organisation, 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 programme uses its own application portal or online form. Some programmes use TFAforms for online submissions, whilst 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 organisation will not be considered for funding.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant programme. Individual funds operate on different cycles—some annual, some rolling. Organisations should monitor OCCF's available grants page for current deadlines and application windows. Many programmes 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 substantial funds through over 650 funds, success rates likely vary significantly by programme.

Specific programme data:

• Inspired Teacher Grant Programme: Awarded $200,000 to 66 school projects from an undisclosed number of applications
• Orange County Social Justice Fund: Awarded $460,000 to 25 organisations in 2024
• African American Alliance Fund: Awarded $178,500 to 28 organisations 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. Organisations 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 prioritises five areas: Education, Health, Human Services, Economic Opportunity, and Civic Engagement. The Orange County Social Justice Fund seeks organisations that demonstrate "investment in meeting urgent needs in marginalised and underserved communities, creating change through community collaborative efforts, and addressing root causes of economic, political, and social injustice."

Community Impact Focus OCCF values organisations 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 organisations developing a thriving workforce through employment pathways.

Current Reporting Compliance Organisations 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 Centre 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 Organisations 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: Whilst donor-advised funds support causes nationally and internationally, field-of-interest and collaborative funds prioritise organisations 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 organisations 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. Planning ahead is essential.

References

• Orange County Community Foundation official website: https://www.oc-cf.org
• About OCCF: https://www.oc-cf.org/about-us/
• Available Grants: https://www.oc-cf.org/grants/available-grants/
• OCCF Staff: https://www.oc-cf.org/about-us/staff/
• OC Nonprofit Central: https://www.ocnonprofitcentral.org/
• African American Alliance Fund Announcement: https://www.oc-cf.org/occf-announces-178500-in-grants-from-the-african-american-alliance-fund/
• Orange County Social Justice Fund 2024 Grantees: https://www.oc-cf.org/orange-county-social-justice-fund-2024-grantees/
• Inspired Teacher Grant Programme: https://www.oc-cf.org/arnold-and-mabel-beckman-foundation-awards-orange-county-community-foundation-100000-grant-for-inspired-teacher-grant-program/
• Inside Philanthropy Profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/california-los-angeles-grants/orange-county-community-foundation
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/33-0378778
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/330378778
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/330378778

Information accessed December 2024