Grants were awarded to organizations serving Black communities in Orange County. Total granting has reached more than $500,000 since the Fund’s inception in 2020.
IRVINE, Calif. (June 19, 2023) — Communities throughout Orange County, Calif. and surrounding regions have benefited from grants awarded through the African American Alliance Fund (AAAF) at the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF). In celebration of Juneteenth 2023 and the Fund’s third anniversary, OCCF is announcing grants totaling $163,500 to 20 organizations, bringing the total granted since inception to more than $550,000 in support of 43 nonprofit organizations.
Founded on June 19, 2020 by OCCF’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tammy Tumbling, the mission of the African American Alliance Fund is to raise awareness about systemic racism and support programs that advance African American communities throughout the southern California region. The Alliance Fund reflects OCCF’s lasting commitment to investing in the promise and potential of diverse communities in Orange County and beyond.
“We are so excited to be one of the recipients of the African American Alliance Fund (AAAF). We have served over 35,000 students, including students in Orange County and surrounding areas with our STEAM and Black College Expo programs,” said Dr. Theresa Price, Founder of the National College Resources Foundation. “This funding will help us spark continued learning to increase diversity in STEAM fields.”
Each year, OCCF assembles a committee to review select proposals for funding based on AAAF’s priority areas of education, health, human services, economic opportunity, and civic engagement. 2023 grantees include: 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, 100 Black Men of Orange County, Arts and Learning Conservatory, Boss Programs, Bridge Builders Foundation, CarePortal, Cayenne Wellness Center and Children’s Foundation, Council of African American Parents (CAAP), CSUDH Dymally Institute, Forgiving For Living, Inc., Forgotten Children, Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Legacy Ladies, Inc., National College Resources Foundation, Need 4 Bridges, Nehemiah Project LA, Parenting for Liberation, Pearls of Excellence Foundation The Right Kind of Black Girl, and Thomas House Family Shelter.
“The African American Alliance Fund is an opportunity to build bridges—to give people a place to join hands and address racial inequities,” said Tumbling. “We are proud to continue supporting communities and organizations with resources and opportunity toward their long-term success.”
Last year OCCF granted $120,000 to 15 organizations on the AAAF’s second anniversary. AAAF grantees have educated and supported Orange County’s Black communities – connecting them with vital resources for their benefit. The 2023 grantees include organizations that reapplied for funding and new organizations that have met specific eligibility criteria. Grantees have exemplified the AAAF mission by investing in the success of underrepresented and diverse communities.
In addition to granting, the AAAF holds community gatherings that connect OC and LA based organizations focused on racial equity and education. The AAAF hopes to serve as a convener in the county, building on the relationships with grantees to create a coalition of Black-led and Black-serving organizations.
For more information about previous and current African American Alliance Fund grantees, please visit https://www.oc-cf.org/african-american-alliance-fund/.
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 $975 million 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, Twitter, and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2022 annual report here.
# # #
Media Contact
Alexandre Torres
Rocket Launch
(714) 340-7842
