About Us

Welcome to the Orange County Community Foundation.
One prominent local donor calls us the “center of gravity for philanthropy” in Orange County. Our organization was established to foster a culture of giving, improve the quality of life in Orange County, and provide an enduring source of support for our community. Over the past 18 years, the Orange County Community Foundation has granted more than $100 million to charitable organizations serving local, national and international needs.

A vision of philanthropic transformation led to the founding of the Orange County Community Foundation in 1989. The community foundation model has been adapted by more than 750 communities throughout the U.S. Even as one of the younger community foundations, the Orange County Community Foundation ranks as #87 for total assets, #45 for grants made, and #39 for contributions received. We work with donors and nonprofit organizations to cultivate a thriving culture of philanthropy in Orange County. Together, our executive team’s century of combined professional expertise, along with the visionary leadership of our Board of Governors, make us a sought-after authority on philanthropy trends, needs and solutions.

Operations
The Orange County Community Foundation is centrally located in Irvine, Calif. with convenient access to residents and businesses located throughout Orange County. President Shelley Hoss brings to the position more than 20 years of experience leading local philanthropic organizations, including eight years at the helm of the community foundation. Today she leads a team of 18 professionals and operates in partnership with a 12-member Board of Governors. The office employs a wide range of professional experts – including an attorney, CPA, and experienced nonprofit executives – to help its donors make educated decisions about community investment.