Applying for Grants

JANE DEMING FUND

The Jane Deming Fund is a permanent endowment at the Orange County Community Foundation. This grant program reflects Jane Deming’s commitment to charities located in Orange County that are producing, participating in, performing or supporting musical activities, or musical education. Due to her passion to improve the lives of under-served youth and her love of classical music, special consideration will be given to programs that:

• Involve stringed instruments
• Provide tuition for music camps and workshops
• Purchase musical instruments for promising music students
• Produce musical performances reaching new or under-served communities

2025 Grant Timeline

• Request for Proposals available: March 23, 2025
• Proposals due: April 16, 2025
• Grant decisions announced: June 2025
• Grant funding period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.

ROBERT & DOREEN MARSHALL FUND FOR DRAMATIC ARTS & CLASSICAL MUSIC

The Robert and Doreen Marshall Fund for Dramatic Arts and Classical Music is a permanent endowment fund at the Orange County Community Foundation. This annual competitive grant program reflects the Marshall’s love of classical music and performing arts. Funding priorities include support of dramatic arts and classical music programs in Orange County with a special emphasis on the following:

• Opera, choral and symphonic performances
• Dramatic arts performance groups
• Arts education for youth regarding dramatic arts and/or classical music

2025 Grant Timeline

• Request for Proposals available: March 23, 2025
• Proposals due: April 16, 2025
• Grant decisions announced: June 2025
• Grant funding period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.

SAN CLEMENTE HISTORY, ARTS & CULTURE FUND

The San Clemente History, Arts & Culture fund is a permanent endowment at the Orange County Community Foundation. This grant program reflects the anonymous donor’s commitment to charities located in, or providing services in San Clemente that are providing one or more of the following elements:

• Producing arts & culture activities
• Participating in arts & culture activities
• Performing Arts
• Arts Education

2025 Grant Timeline

• Request for Proposals available: March 23, 2025
• Proposals due: April 16, 2025
• Grant decisions announced: June 2025
• Grant funding period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.

HENRY W. & ELLEN R WARNE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES

The next grant cycle will open in September 2025.

The Henry W. & Ellen R Warne Family Endowment Fund was founded at the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) as a permanent endowment that reflects the Warne Family’s commitment to protecting and promoting the protection of endangered species. Orange County’s endangered species and their ecosystems face significant ecological threats, which include increased population and housing development, habitat fragmentation/destruction, climate change, and recreational impacts. This fund seeks applications from qualified non-profit organizations, or groups of organizations, which focus on one or more of the following goals:

Goal 1: Improve health and resilience of critical coastal endangered species ecosystems

Outcomes in the CSS ecosystems and EEL ecoregion under this goal include increased leveraged funds for habitat improvement, increased capacity for climate adaptation planning, increased acres of connected endangered species habitat through acquisition and/or restoration, and increased new acres of endangered species habitat secured.

Goal 2: Sustain or increase coastal endangered species populations

Outcomes in the CSS ecosystem and EEL ecoregion under this goal include stronger partnerships with key multi-sectoral organizations to support adaptive management and science-based decision-making and increased endangered species populations in new and existing habitats.

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.

THE SURGICAL CARE FUND

The Fund prioritizes surgical care for individuals with physical or cosmetic deformities caused by birth, disease, accidents, or abuse, including conditions such as blindness, hearing impairments, dental issues, and cleft lip.

The Fund is committed to making a lasting impact by supporting underfunded, volunteer-driven organizations where professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and other specialists, contribute their time without monetary compensation.

To apply, please visit: https://www.tfaforms.com/5146754

For more information, please contact Keri Mesina at kmesina@oc-cf.org.

MARGARET E. OSER FUND FOR WOMEN

The next grant cycle will open in Summer, 2025.

The Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women grant program is now open. For the 2024-2025 funding period, Oser funds will support organizations improving outcomes for women affected by substance abuse, mental health, and/or domestic violence. This includes organizations implementing or enhancing evidence-based programs or practices (e.g. trauma-informed care), aftercare, and recovery support.

The intent is to fund organizations providing gender-specific programs and services designed to meet the needs of women.  Though men may also benefit from the program, generally the number of male beneficiaries should not exceed 10% of the total number of anticipated recipients.

Grants will not be awarded to one organization for more than two successive years, whether for the same or different programs: i.e., after two consecutive years of funding by the Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women, an organization is ineligible for funding for at least one year.  This Request for Proposals is for organizations located in Orange County only.

Requests ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 will be considered. This will likely be the final year with this particular focus.

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.

INSPIRED TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM

The next grant cycle will open in September 2025.

The 2025-26 Inspired Teacher Grant Program presents an opportunity for Orange County public school teachers to seek funding for projects, field trips, tools, materials or ideas that will present an enrichment opportunity for their students & enhance the educational experience of their classroom, department, or school.

This year, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is partnering with the Inspired Teacher Grant program to provide funding for High School STEM requests.

For additional criteria, please review our informational flyer.

All applications must be completed and submitted here.

For more information, please contact Joe Cordell at jcordell@oc-cf.org.