Banking on Greater Economic Mobility
In June, Bank of America awarded $610,000 in economic mobility grants to 40 Orange County nonprofits. The organizations receiving grants included Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, Girls Inc. of Orange County, Goodwill of Orange County, Orange County Community Foundation, Women Helping Women, Olive Crest, J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, Families Forward, Human Options, Illumination Foundation, Orange County Rescue Mission, Alzheimer’s Orange County, The Wooden Floor and Providence Speech and Hearing Center.
“Prioritizing immediate basic needs will open doors to long-term economic stability,” said Allen Staff, Orange County market president of Bank of America. “Ensuring people have access to skills-building and job resources will help them take the next step toward financial security.”
The grants are part of nearly $43 million the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is providing across the country to advance economic mobility.
The nonprofits receiving funding help those in need by improving access to food, shelter and other fundamental needs. The funding also helps nonprofits provide pathways to employment, including counseling to military veterans as they enter the workforce, and connecting youth to first-time job opportunities.
Fantastic Fundraising
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center drew a sold-out crowd of 430 friends, sponsors and community leaders to its 26th annual gala, FANTASHEA: An Evening of Enchantment.
The June 3 event raised more than $780,000 to support the Shea center’s mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs. Irvine BMW, Irvine Mini, Rolls-Royce Motorcars Orange County, John M. Frank Construction Inc. and the Crevier Family Foundation were among the event sponsors. The media sponsor was Orange Coast Magazine.
A silent and live auction, gourmet dinner and a Wine Wall were among the highlights of the evening event.
This year’s Michael Lewis Friends of the Disabled Award, named for the Shea center’s first rider in 1978, was presented to John Frank of John M. Frank Construction. He was recognized for supporting the Shea Center over the last 11 years. Frank currently serves as the Shea Center’s board chairman.
Golfers Team Up for Tradition
Tommy Bahama teamed up with Olive Crest for the 18th Annual Pacific Coast Classic Charity Golf Tournament and Celebration Dinner. Breaking past years’ records, a sold-out crowd of 144 golfers, a record number of sponsors, and more than 220 dinner guests participated in this year’s event.
The tournament and dinner raised $165,000 to support Olive Crest’s mission to meet the needs of children in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling and education for both youth and parents. To date, the annual event has raised more than $1.5 million.
The June 5 tournament was held at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. The celebration dinner, which followed the tournament, was held at Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille in Newport Beach.
Making an Impact
For the last 18 years, Deloitte professionals have donated time and talents to assist organizations that help people in underserved communities across the country through a company initiative called Deloitte Impact Day.
This year, Deloitte Impact Day took place on June 18. Thousands of Deloitte employees participated in more than 1,000 projects in 80 cities across the U.S., ranging from planting gardens to assembling bicycles to organizing storage rooms.
“By immersing ourselves in service, we can gain fresh perspectives on our work and our communities,” said Tim Brandt, managing partner of Deloitte. “(This) in turn can make us more valuable to our clients, our communities and the world around us.”
In Orange County, Deloitte employees volunteered their time across 10 projects, including the Veteran’s Legal Institute, where employees gave offices a makeover that included paint and new furniture.
Bits & Pieces
MOMS Orange County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk mothers, raised $63,000 at its annual Healthy Beginnings, Bright Futures fundraising luncheon on May 11 at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. … Human Options, an OC-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence, has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America to support its Second Step transitional housing facility. … Healthy Smiles raised $80,000 at its annual golf tournament to support its mission to bring dental health to underserved children.
