Orange County United Way

To lift our community by addressing the most challenging human needs through collaboration, advocacy, and strategic programming. We leverage an innovative and action-oriented approach to deliver measurable results. We envision an Orange County united to improve lives today and for generations to come.

For over 100 years, United Way has been making a positive impact in Orange County as a critical advocate of health and human services. We are and always have been an independent nonprofit that serves our local community by providing programs and services to help our residents build brighter futures for themselves and their families. We take accountability very seriously, providing an annual scorecard, which measures and reports progress toward our strategic plan. We are governed entirely by local volunteers who oversee every aspect of our management, operations, and financial systems. Orange County United Way has been reviewed by several objective, third-party organizations who provided a seal of approval regarding our transparency, accountability, governance, leadership, and results. These assessments took into account our IRS 990 form, our independent voting board members, audited financials, whistleblower policies, and compensation practices.

Orange County United Way mobilizes our community to create brighter futures for all, today and for generations to come.

True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our community, United Way is there. Through advocacy, collaboration, and innovative programming, our work is comprehensive and action-oriented, effectively addressing our county’s unique challenges.

From strengthening local resilience to expanding youth opportunity, financial stability, and access to stable housing, we’re working toward an Orange County where everyone has the support they need to reach their full potential.

o Last year, we served 767,765 people in Orange County.
o Our value to the community in 2024 was more than $53 million—empowering individuals, supporting families, and driving long-term positive change.

Our programs have:
• Housed more than 1,200 of our OC neighbors experiencing homelessness, including 300 Veterans, and assisted 3,787 individuals across 1,763 households by expediting a positive resolution to their housing crises.
• Connected thousands of our vulnerable residents to critical health and human service resources via our 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC) helpline.
• Served 3,069 Orange County students during the 2024-2025 school year by providing meaningful opportunities that encourage them to reach their full potential.
• Equipped more than 600 families each year with vital financial wellness skills that empower them to take control of their finances and establish financial security.

There are nearly 6,000 individuals in Orange County experiencing homelessness.
1 in 3 Orange County households struggle to meet their basic needs.
In 2024, close to 3,000 Orange County students from underserved high schools did not graduate.
Last year alone, our helpline received over half a million requests from local residents seeking assistance for housing, food, and other critical services.

These are just some of the housing, income, and educational needs our community faces. In addition to fundraising to support the programs and services offered via our key initiatives (United to End Homelessness℠, United for Financial Security℠, and United for Student Success℠) and our 2-1-1 Orange County service offering, we are in constant need of volunteers to help us serve our community.

We need property owners in Orange County to join our WelcomeHomeOC℠ housing navigation and landlord incentive program. We need volunteers to help with our Free Tax Prep service, which helps low-income families keep their hard-earned money. We need individuals to mentor students and speak in classrooms, and companies to provide career exploration or internship opportunities.

There is much to be done. That is why we are working toward an Orange County where everyone has the support they need to reach their full potential. United is the Way to create brighter futures for all. Will you join us?

Orange County United Way serves the entire Orange County, California region.

Orange County United Way stands for opportunity and humanity. Together with our stakeholders, we work actively and collaboratively to ensure access to education, health, financial security, and housing for every person in our community--no matter their background.

Our unique approach comes from an understanding that our community’s most critical issues are interrelated and we must address them in an interconnected way. Every day, we are working toward an Orange County where every person has the support they need to reach their full potential.

Our community impact standards are aligned with the department of social welfare’s 10-year plan, as well as data derived from local indicator’s reports and community scorecards. We are governed by an independent, volunteer voting Board of Directors from some of the county’s top employers. The vigorous audit standards delivered by an independent accountant demonstrate accountability and transparency. We have been rated as one of the most effective and efficient charities by nonprofit guides as well as United Way Worldwide, the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries. United Way Worldwide uses their own demanding index for business performance to evaluate member organizations, including a solid program expense to revenue ratio, administrative expenses, fundraising expenses, and working capital ratio and impact in the community in the priority issues of Youth Opportunity, Financial Stability, Community Resilience, Health and Housing.

For over a century, Orange County United Way has been widely regarded as a leader among nonprofits, driving change in the community and demonstrating fiscal excellence. I am honored to work alongside a passionate team dedicated to developing and delivering data-driven solutions that will transform the lives of those in need.

Together, we are addressing some of our community’s most complex and persistent issues. Through advocacy, collaboration, and innovative programming, our work is comprehensive and action-oriented.

As a stand-alone, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the money we raise goes right back into our community, funding our work to improve lives for everyone who calls Orange County home. Last year, we served 767,765 people in Orange County through direct services and programs, our funded partners network, and essential community outreach.

It is this level of direct and measurable impact that fuels my passion to help lead our Board and support the organization’s overall success. Orange County is a community of tremendous opportunity and unique challenges. I believe that, if we stand united, we can increase our community impact and optimize our organizational performance.

As Board Chair, I am committed to developing solutions that drive long-lasting change as we work to cultivate a stronger workforce, build a healthier economy, and improve well-being throughout our region so that we can ensure everyone has the support they need to thrive.