Frequently Asked Questions

We are often asked about how the Orange County Community Foundation works and how we help donors achieve excellence in their philanthropy. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive:

What is the Orange County Community Foundation?
Founded in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as the “center of gravity” for charitable giving in Orange County. Our mission is to encourage, support, and facilitate philanthropy in Orange County. We make grants from our many funds to nonprofit organizations locally, nationally and abroad as well as award scholarships to hundreds of students each year.

How does OCCF help donors?
We assist hundreds of local donors and their families to focus and direct their charitable giving to make the greatest impact on the issues closest to their hearts. Many donors look to us to help them create a Strategic Giving Plan which helps guide them in making effective decisions about their giving. Stewarding the philanthropic legacies of our donors after their lifetime is another role we are honored to fulfill.

Donors entrust us to help them design a legacy plan to ensure that their estate plans are in alignment with their charitable goals. Upon receiving the charitable assets, OCCF’s Board of Governors diligently oversees their management and distribution in accordance with the donor’s intent.

How can OCCF help me?
Unique among charitable organizations and professional advisors, community foundations are experts on both sides of the philanthropic exchange, providing personalized service to individuals and families, and developing deep knowledge of local organizations and their needs. While community foundations focus primarily on the regions where they are located, they are able to direct grants to organizations anywhere in the country, and even internationally, in order to fulfill donors’ interests.

By creating a donor-advised fund through OCCF, you will enjoy greater tax savings, outstanding management and investment services, access to resources that will help you identify charities that best match your interests, and full assurance that your grant recipients are using contributions as you intended. Giving to the community through OCCF can help you focus your philanthropy for maximum impact. We screen and evaluate hundreds of local charities and thousands of scholarship applications annually to ensure that your charitable gifts go to organizations and individuals worthy of your charitable investment.

In what ways are funds distributed from individual funds to the community?
The community foundation distributes funds based on the request and recommendation of the donors. OCCF reviews donor recommendations using criteria established by our Board of Governors in accordance with IRS guidelines. We verify that the proposed grantee is recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization in good standing. In addition to donor requests, distributions can also be made through competitive grant processes, projects and scholarships.

What fees are charged and what does that cover?
OCCF, which is itself a nonprofit organization, applies a Foundation Support Fee to the funds it administers in order to cover the cost of the services we provide to donors. The Foundation Support fee varies according to the type of fund donors choose. For example, fees for endowed funds are 1% of the fund balance annually, and fees for non-endowed funds are 2% annually. These fees cover all donor services and general operating costs, including gift establishment, receipt and tax acknowledgement of assets and contributions, grants and fund administration, and full support of our donor services staff including research on nonprofit agencies and issues. Investment earnings, which accrue entirely to the benefit of each fund, have typically more than offset OCCF’s Foundation Support Fee.

How do I know that OCCF is financially accountable?
An independent audit of our financial statements is performed annually. All financial information is available to the public. As an advisor to your fund, you receive a detailed financial report quarterly and access to a highly qualified finance team is just a phone call away.

How do I learn more? 
For more information or to schedule an informal meeting, contact any member of our Donor Relations & Programs department.