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ConnectOC Blog
The dream of a more vibrant, prosperous Orange County is within our reach. To achieve it, we must understand and confront difficult realities faced by too many of our neighbors. And we must coordinate our response so that every effort counts.
The ConnectOC enewsletter and blog bring fresh examples of innovation and impact as we share stories of the donors, dreamers and doers who partner with OCCF, as well as insights into how we are working to help make Orange County a stronger, healthier more vibrant community for all. With an easy-to-read format and expanded content, we aim to inspire, inform and help you connect with our community and the causes you care about most.
Orange County’s issues are connected—and so are you. We invite you to get in touch with critical information, promising approaches and a growing community of partners who share your passion for our county. Already, we are making strides toward the dream we share for Orange County.
Southern California Wildfire Relief
Wildfires continue to burn in areas of Southern California, leaving thousands of residents displaced and in need of critical resources. In wake of this devastation, several organizations have assembled aid and relief efforts. Listed below are organizations you can support that are providing assistance to those in need. Salvation Army Southern California Division is accepting donations to support rapid response based on immediate needs, as well as plans for long term recovery assistance. American Red ...
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Southern California Wildfire Relief
Devastating wildfires continue to burn in areas of Southern California, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced and in need of critical resources and help. The immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires are great, and the recovery process will be long and difficult in communities throughout the region. Several charities and organizations have assembled aid and relief efforts in the wake of this week’s devastation. The list below contains links to information and ...
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Donate To The Northern California Fire Fund
Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties’ community foundations have jointly mobilized the Northern California Fire Fund to respond to the devastating fires that have displaced thousands of residents, and have destroyed vast numbers of homes and businesses in their region. The Foundations have begun convening decision-makers from the nonprofit sector and local government to assess urgent needs, identify short term gaps and gather information that will inform longer-term recovery efforts. Tax-deductible contributions to the Northern California ...
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Donate To Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
Please help provide critical resources to emergency response organizations supporting residents of Houston by making a donation to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation or one of the following organizations that are providing food and shelter to those in need. Thank you! Funds established to aid Hurricane Harvey Flood Victims: Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established at the Greater Houston Community Foundation American Red Cross The Salvation Army Charity Navigator has ...
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Bill and Joan Cvengros Plan Their Legacy with Market Precision
Timing is everything—in business, and in life. Just ask longtime investment executive Bill Cvengros. He’s made a practice of getting timing right, from making smart business choices to partnering with OCCF to maximize tax benefits and fuel charitable impact for the past 17 years. In 2010, Bill and Joan took their vision for the Cvengros Family Charitable Fund to the next level by developing a legacy plan to reflect not only their abiding philanthropic values ...
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Breathing Life into Research for a Rare Fatal Disease
In business, entrepreneurs and executives often wrangle with a make-or-buy decision, or the act of choosing between creating a product privately or sourcing it from another supplier. Health care entrepreneur Dave Steffy is intimately familiar with this decision-making process. He’s elevated it to a science by evaluating hundreds of companies and opportunities. His decision-making acumen is also serving Steffy well as an Orange County philanthropist. When it came time to translate his decades-long business success ...
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Find Your Perfect Match
Did you know that nearly one-third of annual giving to U.S. nonprofits occurs in December? For so many philanthropists, the year-year giving season reveals their passions - from the arts to wellness, youth development to veteran services, and everything in between. This holiday season, you can choose to boost the Orange County nonprofit community by supporting the causes you care about most. Just head over to OC Nonprofit Central to search a database of more ...
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In Celebration of the Season of Giving
nd doers. All year long, we have the unique privilege of working with the best hearts and minds in Orange County. At our Annual Meeting last month, many of you shared why you work so passionately for the good of our community by adding handwritten messages to our "What's Your Why" art installation. If you didn't get a chance to attend the Annual Meeting, you still can contribute your message by tweeting @OCCommunityFdn. We'll add ...
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From the Heart: Recapping the 2016 Annual Meeting
Nearly 700 philanthropists, business and community leaders convened at our 2016 Annual Meeting, held on November 9, 2016 at Hotel Irvine. The theme of the Annual Meeting was “What’s Your Why”, illuminating what motivates local philanthropists to support our community with such energy and passion. This theme is continued in our Annual Report, which we invite you to explore here. We announced during the Annual Meeting that OCCF awarded $60 million in grants and scholarships ...
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