activities · 8
what they do
direct service · 4
- Disaster relief grantmaking Disaster Relief GrantmakingDistributes grants to support relief efforts for communities affected by natural disasters, including victims of the Kona Low flooding in Hawaii.
- Grantmaking and scholarship distributionDistributes grants and scholarships to support community initiatives in Orange County, having awarded more than $1.25 billion since inception and $125 million in fiscal year 2025 alone.
- Organizing Giving Days for targeted community causesOrganizes annual Giving Days such as Help Them Home Giving Day to support organizations addressing homelessness and Empowering Possibilities Giving Day to support neighbors with disabilities in Orange County.
- Strategic community initiative funding Local Community GrantmakingAdvances six core community initiatives over a five-year period through targeted grantmaking, including support for equity and systemic change via the Orange County Social Justice Fund.
research · 1
- Publication of economic and workforce research reports Economic Impact Research and Sector DevelopmentProduces and publishes the Orange County Economic Opportunity Report, including data analysis and workforce investment strategies to inform equitable economic development, with the 2026 edition guiding regional planning.
capacity building · 3
- Community needs assessment and partner convening Community Needs Assessment & ResearchConvenes partners and assesses community needs to inform strategic grantmaking, including in priority areas such as youth mental health and healthy aging.
- Facilitation of charitable giving and donor services Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationProvides personalized services to individuals, families, and organizations to facilitate charitable giving, a core function since 1989.
- Support for college and career readiness through collaborative fundingEstablished the Promising Futures Orange County Fund in 2024 to expand access to college and career readiness by supporting local nonprofits, and awarded nearly $2.8 million through 26 grants to 15 workforce development projects that engaged approximately 2,000 participants and contributed to an estimated 350 job placements.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Amplified Community Giving Campaigns amplified_givingIncreases community-wide participation and funding for local causes through time-limited giving days and structured engagement campaigns that amplify individual giving intentions.
- Convening for Collective Impact convening_and_collaborationDrives community change by identifying emerging needs and convening diverse stakeholders to foster collaboration and collective action around shared goals.
- Donor-Centered Giving Models passion-aligned_givingEngages donors through customizable giving vehicles and passion-aligned strategies to increase meaningful, sustained philanthropic participation that reflects personal values and long-term goals.
- Equity-Focused Educational Access equity-focused_educational_pathwaysExpands access to education and career preparation by supporting equitable pathways through school, college, and workforce systems, with attention to overcoming disparities related to background or geography.
- Place-Based Community Investment place-based_philanthropyFocuses philanthropic initiatives on the specific needs of local Orange County communities to ensure relevance, responsiveness, and sustained regional impact.
- Strategic Philanthropy Framework strategic_philanthropyUses a structured, long-term strategic framework—such as a five-year plan—to align donor engagement, community intelligence, and philanthropic expertise in order to transform generosity into measurable, sustained community impact.
- Systems-Based Access Expansion systems-based_access_expansionImproves access to critical services—such as behavioral health—by leveraging existing community systems like schools and healthcare providers to scale impact through coordinated partnerships.
- Workforce and Youth Economic Pathways workforce_and_entrepreneurial_developmentSupports long-term economic stability by investing in workforce development, entrepreneurial growth, and youth career pathways that lead to living-wage jobs and regional workforce retention.
named programs · 10
what they call their work
Community Power Building Initiative
Strengthens voices of underrepresented communities and ensures equitable participation in decision-making
Economic Opportunity Initiative
Supports workforce development, small business growth, and career pathways leading to living wages in Orange County
Educational Access Initiative
Expands pathways for students to succeed in school, prepare for college and careers, and build brighter futures regardless of background
Environmental Stewardship Initiative
Preserves coastlines, open spaces, and natural resources for future generations in Orange County
Orange County Social Justice Fund
Supports organizations advancing equity and justice across Orange County
Promising Futures Orange County Fund
Supports local nonprofits expanding access to college and career readiness opportunities for students
Vision 2030
Five-year strategic plan focused on amplifying giving, donor engagement, community impact, and operational excellence in Orange County
Women’s Health Initiative
Supports and strengthens women’s health and well-being at every stage of life in Orange County
Youth Mental Health Initiative
Improves access to behavioral health support for children, youth, and teens through schools, healthcare providers, and community partners
i♥oc Giving Days
Community-wide giving events supporting various causes including homelessness, disabilities, and education
relationships · 8
who they work with
- Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Partner — Collaborated with OCCF to honor educators during the Inspired Teacher Grant Program reception.
- Charity Navigator Government — Rated Orange County Community Foundation with a 4-Star rating
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: OC Partner — Collaborates with NAMI OC to support youth mental health initiatives and volunteer engagement.
- OC Nonprofit Central Network — Hosts OC Nonprofit Central, a searchable database of Orange County nonprofits.
- OC Nonprofit Central Partner — Partner platform to connect donors and supporters with nonprofits working in job readiness and related fields.
- Orange County Social Justice Fund Partner — Hosts and manages the Orange County Social Justice Fund as part of its donor-advised initiatives.
- community partners Partner — Partners with community organizations to support local needs and build momentum for positive change.
- donors Partner — Collaborates with donors to achieve charitable impact and advance community initiatives.