Orange County Community Foundation is incorporated; receives first grant for operations from the Margaret E. Oser Foundation.

1990

OCCF receives multi-year operational funding commitment from The James Irvine Foundation and the California Community Foundation; OCCF receives first major fund, the Centennial Scholarship Fund, with monies remaining from the county’s Centennial celebration.

1991

First grant awards totaling $50,000 made to community agencies from OCCF’s discretionary fund. The foundation opens its first memorial fund: the Mark S. Haunfelner Memorial Fund.

1992

OCCF’s first collaborative project, MOMS (Maternal Outreach Management System) Fund is created to assist with maternal health care.

1993

Grantmaking for a single year exceeds $1 million.

1994

The Harry and Grace Steele Foundation gives a $1 million challenge grant to fund a permanent unrestricted endowment for Orange County; The James Irvine Foundation increases the Steele Foundation’s challenge grant by $3 million; OCCF is awarded an $850,000 grant by Blue Cross of California for community clinic health care services, marking the largest single project grant to date.

1995

The Jane Deming Fund, the first to be formed by bequest, is opened.

1996

Foundation total assets exceed $10 million.

1997

OCCF completes challenge grant from The Harry and Grace Steele Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation, successfully raising $11 million for the permanent unrestricted endowment; OCCF total assets exceed $24 million; Disneyland® employees establish Disneyland Cast Community Fund.

1998

The Hispanic Education Endowment Fund, established in 1993, reaches its goal of raising $1 million for scholarships.

1999

The historic Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente receives a $1 million grant for restoration with funds from the Orange County Community Foundation; The Richard Elliott Foundation becomes OCCF’s first supporting organization; foundation total assets exceed $39 million.

2000

Foundation celebrates 10th Anniversary as Orange County’s “Center For Charitable Giving;” OCCF founder Judith Swayne retires; Shelley Hoss joins organization as president.

2001

Strategic plan adopted by Board of Governors with a new mission statement: “To encourage, support and facilitate philanthropy in Orange County through donor services and community partnerships.” Advisory Board established; first multi-year grants awarded; annual grants awarded exceed $10 million.

2002

Nearly $1.1 million in grants were awarded through OCCF's discretionary grants process and in partnership with other local and statewide funders. Began program of educational donor events including Seeing is Believing agency tours and Community Connection forums for the discussion of community issues.

2003

OCCF granted more than $8.8 million, 31percent more than the previous year, helping 271 charities in Orange County to provide essential programs and services to the local community during a challenging year for the nonprofit sector.

2004

Total granted: $7.2 million. More than 300 charities received funds to help provide essential services to meet local needs. Total assets are $58.2 million.

2005

Grants and scholarships from OCCF to the community almost double, reaching nearly $13 million. Assets increased 36 percent to $78.9 million. OCCF celebrated its 15-year anniversary and inaugurated the Excellence in Philanthropy Awards. The Orange County Arts Initiative began with support from the James Irvine Foundation. Largest contribution in OCCF's history -- $9.1 million -- is received from the Margaret E. Oser Foundation to benefit the community in perpetuity.

2006

OCCF has greatest granting year in its 16-year history, granting $17.7 million to meet community needs. Contributions to OCCF exceed $26 million. Total assets reach $91.4 million.

2007

For the first time in its history OCCF assets exceed $100 million. Contributions to OCCF reach one-year high of $32.3 million and $100 million milestone reached in cumulative granting for the good of the Orange County community.

2008

OCCF launches Next Generation Philanthropy group to inform and inspire emerging community and business leaders to meet the needs of our community in the future.