Editor’s Note: Since 2000, Shelley M. Hoss has served as chief executive officer of the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) — one of the largest and fastest-growing community foundations in the nation. The Business Journal’s annual special report on the fastest-growing private companies begins on page 13.
As the Orange County Community Foundation marks its 35th anniversary this fall, we have much to celebrate. In partnership with our generous donors, OCCF has granted a jaw-dropping $100 million since early 2023 to nonprofits in Orange County, across the country and around the world, adding to a milestone of $1 billion in cumulative granting reached last year. Our annual grantmaking now ranks OCCF as the 7th most active grantmaker among more than 800 of our U.S. community foundation peers.
This success reflects Orange County’s heartfelt desire to give, from the generosity of our donors — including many luminaries of the local business community — to stellar nonprofits helmed by a cadre of extraordinary leaders.
But as we’ve learned over the years, ensuring that giving creates lasting and meaningful impact requires more than just good intentions. It takes the best of the head and the heart, and several keys to success to help turn a passion for giving into impact for good.
The Appeal of Simplicity
Orange County is powered by first-generation wealth creators who bring the same desire for streamlined, straightforward approaches to philanthropy that fueled their business success. OCCF removes barriers to effective giving, creating leverage and shared learning through our network of 650 individual and family philanthropy funds.
A case in point is Orange County real estate developer-turned-philanthropist Ranney Draper, who is driven by the belief that education can change the trajectory of a life.
Draper recently introduced the Promising Futures Orange County Fund at OCCF to expand access to college and career readiness for local students. With our experience and community knowledge, Draper launched his vision with $385,000 in grants to 16 local nonprofits working to advance educational equity, support family engagement in students’ success and fuel economic opportunity through career readiness.
The Power of a Personal Imprint
Customization may seem contradictory to simplicity, but our efficient infrastructure enables donors to put a unique handprint on their giving in the ways that matter most to them. This allows donors to focus their time and energy on what is most important — the values and interests closest to their hearts.
This is especially true for Chris and Larry Laulhere, whose giving was born out of a devastating loss.
In 1996, their daughter Cherese Mari Laulhere, a UCLA junior, was killed in a tragic bus accident while studying abroad. To honor her life, the Laulheres established the Cherese Mari Laulhere Foundation with the mission of enriching the lives of children, adults and families through education, cultural and performing arts, and medical and health-related causes for both people and animals.
They initially partnered with a financial institution to support the foundation’s work, but their giving was repeatedly delayed due to needless administrative complications. After they moved their charitable funds to OCCF, we cleared the way to fulfill their passionate commitment to their daughter’s memory through generous gifts to local nonprofits and hospitals in her name, creating an impact that will reverberate for generations to come.
Next Generation’s New Pathways
It’s natural for donors to want future generations of their family to take up the mantle of giving.
While each generation is shaped by its unique experiences and interests, a multi-generational commitment to philanthropy can be cultivated with the right tools and support. Many families have turned to us for help in navigating the relationship between family traditions and the emerging interests of next generations.
Bob Murphy had a powerful vision of uniting his family around the shared purpose and lasting value of giving back. Although Bob passed away in 2022, his legacy continues through his family’s giving with our support, engaging 25 family members across four generations — with the youngest being just 7 years old.
The family welcomes all members, regardless of age, to participate in the giving experience. We research nonprofits, especially smaller ones, so family members can select those that resonate most with them.
Our Orange County Nonprofit Central database incorporates all current 990 data provided by GuideStar. When it comes to local organizations, we are very hands-on through site visits and meetings with nonprofit leaders. We tailor our research to the Murphy family’s giving priorities using these methods.
While younger children may not fully grasp the discussions, they have the option to sit at the table and actively participate or simply observe. The family believes in fostering an early understanding of philanthropy by allowing children to witness the family’s commitment to helping others and giving back to their communities.
Over the years, teens and younger adults have also been involved in supporting their website, managing social media and working on special projects aligned with their interests.
Lessons from 35 Years of Growing the Good
1. Find a charitable vehicle that simplifies the mechanics of giving so you can focus on the impact you most want to make.
2. Be creative and courageous in your giving, making a unique mark with your philanthropy.
3. It’s never too early to have conversations with the next generation about how to give!
