Shelley M. Hoss has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) since May 2000. Under her dynamic leadership, OCCF has evolved into one of the largest and fastest-growing community foundations in the nation. Driven by a mission to transform our community’s heartfelt intention into greater impact for good, Hoss has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and influence at OCCF’s helm.
Under Hoss’ leadership, OCCF’s impact has expanded significantly. The foundation’s community initiatives have tackled a diverse range of issues, from supporting veterans and military families transitioning to civilian life, to fostering a robust and resilient Orange County workforce with opportunities for all to thrive.
A testament to Hoss’ impact is the foundation’s monumental achievement of reaching $1.25 billion in cumulative granting since its 1989 inception. OCCF’s grant and scholarship awards have skyrocketed from $5 million annually when Hoss joined, to over $125 million annually today. This remarkable growth has positioned OCCF as a leader among nearly 900 U.S. community foundations, making it one of the most active grantmakers in the nation.
Equally impressive is the growth of OCCF’s assets, which have soared from $42 million in 2000 to more than $820 million currently. This asset growth underscores OCCF’s role as a “center of gravity” for philanthropy in Orange County and beyond.
In partnership with OCCF’s President Tammy Tumbling Hoss guided the launch of OCCF’s Vision 2030–a five-year strategic plan reflecting a shared commitment to Orange County’s thriving future .This forward-thinking blueprint leverages OCCF’s unparalleled community intelligence and philanthropic know-how to address some of the greatest challenges facing Orange County.
Before her tenure at OCCF, Hoss led Girls Incorporated of Orange County, where she directed programs designed to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Her career began with a decade at the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, where she developed programs to help foster children transition to independent living.
Hoss’ influence extends beyond OCCF. She served as the founding chair of Orange County Grantmakers and has chaired and served on the board of the League of California Community Foundations. A guest lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Merage School of Business at UC Irvine, she is frequently sought after for her insights into the nonprofit sector. Her thought leadership is featured in the Orange County Business Journal, Forbes Nonprofit Council, and national philanthropic publications.
A Phi Beta Kappa scholar, Hoss holds a joint Master’s Degree in Business and Public Administration from the University of California, Irvine. Her career is marked by a commitment to empowering communities and driving transformative change through philanthropy.
