Orange County Grantmakers

Orange County Grantmakers (OCG) Unveils 2021 Agenda for Effective Philanthropy

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OCG announces 2021 public policy statement and priorities

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. (May 13, 2021)— Orange County Grantmakers is pleased to announce an unwavering commitment to public policies and initiatives that lead Orange County to a more equitable future. Through a focus on four key issue areas: health, housing & homelessness, immigration and education & workforce readiness, OCG will leverage its leadership on these critical issues in 2021. OCG is also committed to advancing public policies that support effective philanthropy along with a high performing nonprofit sector, and advocating on behalf of a vibrant, equitable and inclusive economy.

Through their newly released 2021 public policy priorities statement, OCG takes a stance against hate and incendiary speech and commits to uplifting advocacy and community engagement activities across communities historically divided by race and/or culture. Through their statement, OCG also acknowledges the impact racism has had on our community at large, as a public health issue, and as an issue tied to systemic inequities. OCG is committed to supporting the advocacy of viable solutions that will address root causes of racial inequity and the social determinants of health in Orange County as well as ensure an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a health-focused grantmaker and OCG member, the St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund understands the critical importance of taking on the social determinants of health—issues like housing, education, and income—to achieve better health for low-income communities, people of color, and other historically marginalized groups. Our OCG initiatives build on the strengths and resilience of the communities to pursue fundamental changes to systems and institutions, which is why I’m excited to announce our 2021 public policy priorities,” said OCG Chair and St. Joseph CP Fund’s Director Jason Lacsamana.

The 2021 public policy priorities are as follows:
• Health
o Support practices and policies that recognize the role of racism in health inequities
o Support practices and policies that address racism and social determinants of health, including but not limited to conditions such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support network, access to care, etc.
o Support evidence-based health practices and policies that help strengthen community health and wellness
• Housing & Homelessness
o Seek the elimination of homelessness in Orange County, working towards viable and accessible options for every Orange County community member experiencing housing insecurity
o Support proactive policies geared toward preventing homelessness
o Support equitable policies that ensure vulnerable communities are provided with adequate resources and affordable housing opportunities
• Immigration
o Support policies that recognize that the integration of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into the economic and civic life of local communities is essential to the county’s prosperity
o Support immigration policies that provide fair and humane treatment of all residents
o Recognize the need for multiracial advocacy work within the regional immigration ecosystem
• Education & Workforce Readiness
o Support practices and policies that provide equitable access to post-secondary and workforce readiness opportunities for all Orange County students while recognizing the vital connection education has to future earnings and social mobility
o Advocate for investments in high-quality and equitable early childhood education, recognizing the long-term benefits of ensuring early intervention and its connection to future success
o Support investments in education that ensure a diverse, inclusive and well-prepared workforce to support Orange County’s economic vitality

“The OC Opportunity Initiative (OCOI) supports policies that honor the vital role that immigrants play in our community” shared Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation which launched the Opportunity Initiative in 2015 with regional funders and community leaders. “As an affiliate group of OCG, OCOI looks forward to collaborating on OCG’s public policy strategies, utilizing our commitment and energy to drive vital, inclusive advocacy work in Orange County.”

“In close alignment with OCG’s housing and homelessness public policy priorities, the Orange County United Way believes every person deserves a safe place to call home. We also believe it is our collective responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure it happens. Together, we can use our voices to advocate for more affordable and permanent supportive housing to be built so we can end homelessness in Orange County,” said Susan B. Parks, president and CEO of Orange County United Way.

To read more about OCG’s 2021 public policy priorities and statement, please visit www.ocgrantmakers.org.

If you are interested in becoming an OCG member, funders, philanthropists and grantmaking organizations must fund a minimum of $250,000 in Orange County, CA. Membership is $1,000 for first year members. To join, please visit www.ocgrantmakers.org and email OCG Executive Director Taryn Palumbo at taryn.palumbo@ocgrantmakers.org.

About Orange County Grantmakers
The Orange County Grantmakers (OCG) is a funder collaborative committed to advancing social impact by supporting, strengthening and building adaptive leadership across our nonprofit and philanthropic community. To learn more about Orange County Grantmakers, visit www.orangecountymakers.org, like them on Facebook or follow on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Adriana Galdamez
Public Affairs Manager
Cox Communications
Adriana.galdamez@cox.com
949-403-1925

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