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Orange County Community Foundation Launches Promising Futures Orange County Fund

By August 6, 2024No Comments

Established by philanthropist Ranney Draper in partnership with OCCF, the Fund will help students of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds reach their full potential

IRVINE, Calif. (August 6, 2024) — Today the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) announced the launch of the Promising Futures Orange County Fund to expand access to opportunities for students to achieve success with college and career readiness. Orange County philanthropist Ranney Draper established the Fund as a permanent endowment at the Orange County Community Foundation as an enduring source of support for the Orange County community. An initial round of grants totaling $385,000 was awarded to 16 local nonprofits who aligned with the Fund’s focus and priorities.

The Promising Futures Orange County Fund was established with a vision based on three key values:

  • Advancing Educational Equity: Each child should receive what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential, so they graduate prepared for success after high school. We seek to remove obstacles to success based on social, economic or cultural factors, and ensure equitable access to future opportunity.
  • Community Building: Families are vital partners in the education of their children. When students and their parents are advocating for themselves, their education, and their community, our entire region benefits.
  • Economic Opportunity: Talent is equitably distributed, but opportunity is not. Whether through a four-year college degree, a community college, or a trade or technical school, students most in need should have the access and support to pursue the educational pathway that ensures their ability to successfully enter the workforce and realize their dreams and goals.
Ranney Draper

Draper is a long-time philanthropist and co-founder of the Draper Family Fund, which resides at the Orange County Community Foundation. He is driven by a passion for helping deserving, and often first-generation, students gain access to higher education. In 2019, Draper, along with several other OCCF donors, helped to launch the OC Promise Initiative, a comprehensive program of mentoring, coaching and support. In addition, the Draper Family AVID Scholars program has provided four-year college scholarships to low-income students from various high schools in the county for over 20 years. Learn more about Draper’s long history of philanthropic and community service here.

“Ranney Draper exemplifies the spirit of community service and philanthropy,” remarked Shelley Hoss, CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “His unwavering dedication, passion, and generosity have made a profound impact on the lives of students all across Orange County. We at OCCF are inspired by his commitment and are thrilled to join him in creating pathways of opportunity and hope for those who might otherwise be overlooked.”

“OCCF has been our partner since day one,” said Draper. “In philanthropy, just as in business, you need partners that will help you take an idea you are passionate about and develop a plan to make it effective and impactful to our community.”

The inaugural grantees of the Promising Futures Orange County Fund are:

To learn more about the Promising Futures Orange County Fund and how to get involved, visit oc-cf.org/promising-futures.

OCCF is recognized as the center of gravity for Orange County philanthropy, acting as an unparalleled resource for local philanthropists and their families for 35 years by offering unique insights, deep knowledge, and a diverse array of tools to support both lifetime and legacy giving. To learn more about the Orange County Community Foundation, visit www.oc-cf.org.

About Orange County Community Foundation 
The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) combines giving strategy, community intelligence, enduring relationships, and heartfelt intention to amplify the power of giving and its profound result: greater good in Orange County, and beyond. We serve as a resource for individual and family philanthropists, facilitate grant and scholarship programs, and lead community-based initiatives. We inspire giving and connect people and resources to create sustainable impact, granting more than $1 billion since 1989 in Orange County, across the country, and around the world. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call (949) 553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2023 annual report here.

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