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ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOSTS
“THE FUTURE IS WORKING” GIVING DAY TO DEVELOP
A STRONGER WORKFORCE FOR ORANGE COUNTY
24-hour fundraiser seeks to raise $300K for nonprofits committed to
retaining a robust economy and vibrant community
On March 23, 2023, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) is hosting The Future is Working, a 24-hour collaborative online giving day to support 17 nonprofits that offer programs and services to remove barriers to employment, create pathways to success for vulnerable communities, and build a flexible and resilient workforce.
While Orange County saw employment return to 98.5% of pre-pandemic levels, jobs in June 2022 were still 25,800 below what they were in Feb. 2020, and the hiring pace in the County still lagged as employment continued to rebound. In California, pandemic job losses fully recovered, but an unstable economy remains amid layoffs and inflation that continues to weigh heavily on residents. Because of economic uncertainty, nonprofits that invest time and resources in the workforce remain crucial to the health and well-being of the community.
The 17 Future is Working nonprofits – focused on vocational training, economic self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and mentorship – share the joint mission of helping make the Orange County workforce more adaptable and resilient. These nonprofits continue to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to secure living-wage jobs and withstand the adversity that surrounds the backbone of Orange County’s economy.
“Building pathways to economic opportunity for all our residents is one of the most effective ways to ensure that Orange County continues to thrive,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “The Future Is Working supports nonprofits working on the frontlines to nurture these opportunities where they are needed most.”
Participating nonprofits include Bracken’s Kitchen Inc.; Chrysalis; CIELO; Goodwill of Orange County; Hart Community Homes, Inc.; High School Inc. Academies Foundation; Hope Builders; Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (H.I.R.E.); i-5 Freedom Network; Kherut; Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts; Oscar & Ma; PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY; Step Forward Academy; Vital Link Education-Business Consortium; Working Wardrobes and Youth Employment Service of the Harbor Area, Inc. (YES) – all leaders in workforce development.
The Future Is Working remains part of OCCF’s iheartOC Collaborative Giving Days, an annual initiative that designates cause-specific giving days focused on critical community issues. The online giving model matches local nonprofits with shared missions – from homelessness and workforce development to preserving ecosystems and supporting youth – to create momentum on one shared day and leverage a combined outreach effort for collective success. Since its start in 2015, OCCF Giving Days have raised over $20 million for 1,254 Orange County nonprofits.
OCCF is recognized as the center of gravity for Orange County philanthropy, acting as an unparalleled resource for local philanthropists and their families for over 30 years. In addition to the organization’s cause-specific giving days, it offers unique insights, deep knowledge, and a diverse array of tools to support both lifetime and legacy giving – making OCCF home to more than 600 charitable funds benefiting a wide range of causes.
To donate during The Future Is Working Giving Day, visit https://the-future-is-working-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/. For more information about Orange County Community Foundation Collaborative Giving Days, including key statistics and infographics, please visit https://www.oc-cf.org/giving-days/.
Founded in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) works with donors, strengthens the local nonprofit sector and works to find solutions to community needs. Since its inception, OCCF has awarded more than $930 million in grants and scholarships, placing the organization in the top two percent in grantmaking among U.S. community foundations. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call 949-553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Preview OCCF’s 2022 annual report here.
