The Orange County Community Foundation raised a record-breaking amount, nearly $5 million, in charitable donations during its annual iheartOC Giving Days initiative this year.
The foundation brought in $4,964,725 so far during its 2023 drive, the organization said.
The Giving Days drive is an online effort that matches local donors with Orange County nonprofits that address a wide range of causes, including human services, education, health and wellness, environment, the arts and community development. OCCF’s year-long series of Giving Days, which began as a countywide day of giving in 2015, is in its seventh year, and more than 7,000 donors and 137 nonprofits were represented this year.
“Each year, our iheartOC Giving Days bring vital support to nonprofits working to make Orange County a better place for all who call our county home,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of OCCF.
Since 2015, OCCF’s Giving Days have raised nearly $26 million for local nonprofits. The first two countywide Giving Days in 2015 and 2016 garnered a combined total of $5 million.
Donors can earmark their contributions to several cause-specific initiatives, like ImpACT Anaheim to help underserved youth, The Future Is Working to bolster the workforce, Protect and Preserve to focus on sustainability needs and Help Them Home to assist the local homeless population.
“Every night, people experiencing homelessness don’t know where they will sleep or if they will be safe. OCCF’s ‘Help Them Home’ Giving Days raises much-needed funds to bring hope and housing to thousands that result in a direct and immediate impact for our neighbors,” said Brateil Aghasi, the CEO of WISEPLACE, an organization that cares for unhoused women.
Since 2015, 51.9% of donations have gone to organizations supporting the housing and homelessness crisis in Orange County. Youth organizations have also held a major role during OCCF’s Giving Days, with 28.5% of donations going toward youth services.
In May, the foundation launched a mental health initiative called “Imagining Mental Wellness.” So far, about $368,000 has been raised by 768 donors for 18 organizations.
“Our first Giving Days was a heartwarming testament to the power of community coming together to make a positive impact,” said Rebecca Kindreich, the executive director of SEEDS Therapy, a faith-based center that assists students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It has been the most-donated organization through the Imagining Mental Wellness initiative with $49,512 raised.
While OCFF promotes cause-specific initiatives on certain days, donations can be made anytime through the foundation’s website.
