Orange County Grantmakers

ORANGE COUNTY GRANTMAKERS BECOMES AFULLY INDEPENDENT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION

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Charitable Ventures previously served as the fiscal sponsor of the nonprofit

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2024) – Orange County Grantmakers (OCG), a convening organization that advances equity by creating strategic alignment among regional foundations and nonprofits, is thrilled to announce it has become an independent organization effective Aug. 1,2024. Prior to obtaining its 501(c)3 nonprofit status, OCG operated under the fiscal sponsorship of Charitable Ventures, which incubates powerful solutions for the health and well-being of communities across Orange County.

As the fiscal sponsor, Charitable Ventures allowed OCG to fundraise and operate in compliance with IRS regulations while providing resources that helped the organization build capacity and infrastructure to plan for long-term sustainability. Under the leadership of its first full-time Executive Director Taryn Palumbo, OCG developed a strategic plan that expanded programming, membership, and revenue, and created a pathway for it to become an independent nonprofit that advances equity through learning and connection opportunities for the funding and nonprofit communities.

“Becoming an independent 501(c)3 is a long-awaited, exciting step forward for Orange County Grantmakers that empowers us to take full responsibility for our organization and mission,” says Palumbo. “We are grateful to Charitable Ventures and have much appreciation for their incredible support throughout our equity journey, which included the creation of a powerful framework that examines the root causes of inequity and provides space for continued growth and development as we develop effective strategies to move from inclusion toward justice.”

In 2006, with funding from the Weingart Foundation and a coalition of OC-based funders, the UCLA Center for Civil Society conducted a study of the O.C. nonprofit sector that identified gaps in the infrastructure for philanthropy in the region. The report’s funders met regularly to provide their input and support to the project and found so much value in these connections that they determined to continue meeting as the OC Funders Roundtable, which evolved into Orange County Grantmakers.

Original members of the group included Boeing Foundation, California Endowment, First 5 Orange County (formerly Children & Families Commission), Fieldstone Foundation, Healthcare Foundation of Orange County, Irvine Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the Orange County Community Foundation, Pacific Life Foundation, Samueli Foundation, Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation, United Way of Orange County, Weingart Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation.  

“There was incredible value in the shared learning and relationship building that followed the publication of the UCLA study,” says Shelley M. Hoss, CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “It led to a deep-rooted network of relationships that has strengthened philanthropy throughout the region and laid the foundation for OC Grantmakers to become the valuable convener and community leader it is today.”

Over the following 11 years, the small networking group developed more sophisticated efforts to support local nonprofits. A significant step forward came with the launch of the Annual Summit in 2010, which continues today as the organization’s signature event bringing together business leaders, philanthropists, elected officials and nonprofits to learn and develop strategies that address equity and social justice issues in the community.

In 2017, it moved to Charitable Ventures’ fiscal sponsorship, officially rebranding the following year as Orange County Grantmakers, and evolving to become a full-scale membership association.

While operating under Charitable Ventures’ tax-exempt 501(c)3 status, OCG had access to the organization’s comprehensive back-office administrative support, including human resources, accounting and legal services, insurance, technical assistance, government filings, and a fundraising platform. This support empowered OCG to focus on operational growth, which included more than doubling its budget, increasing membership twofold, and offering over 70 events that cultivate transformational relationships and leadership among Orange County philanthropists and nonprofits. It has become a driving force for advancing equity in the county, releasing the OC Equity Profile in 2019 and launching a new five-year plan in 2022 that is serving as an equity-focused roadmap for the future.

“Having been with OCG since its early inception, I am thrilled to see its launch as a full-fledged organization working on behalf of philanthropy and nonprofits in the region,” says Anne Olin, President and CEO of Charitable Ventures. “We have been proud to be the fiscal sponsor of Orange County Grantmakers’ efforts over the last eight years and we’re excited to continue our partnership as the organization moves forward in its new capacity as an independent nonprofit. I have no doubt OCG will continue to be a changemaker in the region.”

As an independent entity, OCG will continue to provide programming including issue tables that unite leaders in sectors ranging from health care and immigration to food security, early childhood and housing; learning groups like the BIPOC Leader to Leader program, Meet the Funder and Beyond Equity workshops; networking opportunities; and community events such as the Annual Summit. Its official organization name will remain Orange County Grantmakers.

In addition to streamlining organizational development, fundraising and administration, ending the fiscal sponsorship will allow OCG to support pooled grantmaking opportunities within the community. It also opens the door for OCG to enter public-private partnerships that will amplify its work to create a more equitable Orange County.

To learn more about Orange County Grantmakers, please visit www.ocgrantmakers.org.

About Orange County Grantmakers

Orange County Grantmakers (OCG) advances equity by creating strategic alignment and cultivating transformational relationships and leadership among Orange County philanthropists and nonprofits. Founded in 2006, Orange County Grantmakers has evolved from a small, peer-networking group to a thriving regional leadership association for funders and philanthropists. Through more than 70+ meetings and programs held annually, it brings together nonprofits and philanthropic leaders and provides a space for funders to learn about the issues impacting Orange County. It works to elevate and empower, uplift and advocate in partnership with the people, organizations and causes serving the Orange County community. Learn more at www.ocgrantmakers.org.

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