Orange County Business Journal
by by Kim Stemper
Marking a Milestone
The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) celebrated a milestone anniversary on Nov. 21 with an event highlighting 35 years of philanthropic impact in Orange County, across the country and around the world.
Themed 35 Years of Growing the Good, the celebration, which featured a keynote by U.S. Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, drew 750 philanthropists and community leaders to the Hyatt Regency Irvine, where they enjoyed musical performances by the Panther Jazz Band from Chapman University and MenAlive: the OC Gay Men’s Chorus, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Daniel Hadder and a presentation of OCCF’s 35-year milestones by the organization’s president Tammy Tumbling and Tracy Branson, chief financial officer of OCCF.
OCCF’s cumulative granting has now exceeded $1.1 billion to support a wide range of causes from education, health and human services to the environment, arts and culture and more through more than 650 charitable funds. In FY 2024, the foundation awarded over $86 million, confirming its role as the 7th most active grantmaker among 800 community foundations nationwide.
“As we look beyond our 35th year, we are committed to building an even stronger foundation for the future,” said Shelley Hoss, CEO of OCCF.
The Judith Swayne Leadership Award, named for the founder of OCCF, was presented to two nonprofit leaders with grants of $25,000: Miguel Hernandez, executive director, Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) and Iosefa Alofaituli, executive director, CIELO.
Event sponsors, partners and underwriters included A Little Help Foundation, Patrick and Paula Donahue Family Foundation, Draper Family Fund, Joe MacPherson Foundation, The Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation Fund, Peter and Ginny Ueberroth Family Foundation, California State University, Fullerton, Edison International, Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, Gibson Dunn, Rimrock Capital Management, Samueli Foundation, UC Irvine Foundation, Ambassador Gaddi & Elaine Vasquez, Crevier Family Foundation, Pacific Symphony, Adelante Partners, Deloitte, Human Options, Northern Trust, Think Together and The Wooden Floor.
