Up Close and Personal
Bill Gross, co-founder of Pacific Investment Management Company, or PIMCO, and currently with Janus Henderson Investors, and his children made a $2 million donation to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County.
“Our family is proud to support CASA of Orange County in its mission to advocate for the wellbeing of children in the foster care system right here in Orange County,” said Jeff Gross, founder of Gross Photography and a board member for the Gross family foundation. “We have had the honor of seeing their work up close and have put forth these funds to ensure more financial stability and program growth.”
Gross and his wife, Jenny, a member of the CASA board of directors, have been offering financial and volunteer support to the nonprofit since 2012.
More than Pink
More than 250 supporters and advocates gathered on Dec. 8 at Susan G. Komen Orange County’s annual grants award breakfast. Those in attendance were treated to a progress report on development of a novel breast cancer vaccine. The research, led by Komen-funded researcher Dr. Adam Soloff, is part of the Susan G. Komen national $180 million research program to find out why metastatic cancer occurs and how to prevent it.
This year, eight local organizations providing breast healthcare services to women and men in Orange County were awarded a total of $650,000 to implement breast health programs this year.
Additionally, the event recognized two of Komen OC’s key partners, Kaiser Permanente and Knott’s Berry Farm, with a More Than Pink Award for contributions to Komen OC throughout the years.
Slam Dunk
Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, president and chief financial officer at Newport Beach-based Lifescapes International, received the Woman of Philanthropy award by Comerica Bank’s Women’s Business Awards. The recognition took place on Dec. 27 during the halftime show at the Los Angeles Lakers–Memphis Grizzlies game. The Lakers co-sponsor the awards with Comerica.
Brinkerhoff-Jacobs was recognized for her charitable work with HomeAid, a leading national nonprofit organization that provides housing for homeless people. She co-founded HomeAid in 1989. It’s grown to 17 chapters and has served more than 250,000 homeless families.
An Award to Build On
Bank of America announced South County Outreach as the winner of the 2017 Neighborhood Builders award for its efforts in preventing hunger and homelessness in Orange County. As part of the award, the organization will receive a $200,000 grant to launch a pilot program geared toward people ages 55 and older who are facing homelessness and financial hardship.Â
Through the program, participants learn relevant computer skills and find new ways to enter the job market and create a sustainable income. The Neighborhood Builders award also helps the nonprofit expand other services, including a food pantry that serves nearly 3,000 people a month, workforce training, and subsidized transitional housing.
“There are so many people in Orange County who are one life event away from being unable to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads,” said Allen Staff, Orange County market president at Bank of America. “The Neighborhood Builders program provides nonprofits with the resources they need to continue driving economic progress and improving quality of life in communities.”
In addition to the grant, the nonprofit will receive leadership development, a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and the opportunity to access capital in order to expand their impact in Orange County.
Bits & Pieces
The Decorative Arts Society of Orange County made a $45,000 donation to Caterina’s Club, the nonprofit group established by Bruno Serato that feeds 3,500 children nightly in Orange and Los Angeles counties. …  KidWorks will welcome approximately 300 new students and families to its recently expanded Dan Donahue Center, bringing enrollment to more than 1,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students served weekly. … Community Action Partnership of Orange County received a $5,000 grant from the LA84 Foundation to be used for the El Modena Family Resource Center Karate Club Program, which serves more than 50 low-income students.
