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Our History

Orange County United Way Our History

The origin

In 1887, a Denver woman (Frances Wisebart Jacobs), a priest (the Rev. Myron W. Reed), two ministers (Msgr. William J. O’Ryan and Dean H. Martyn Hart), and a rabbi (Rabbi William S. Friedman) recognized a need for cooperative action to address their city’s social problems. That year, they raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country and become United Way.

Orange County United Way

In 1924, the first Community Chest in Santa Ana was established, paving the way for the first of several United Way Funds and United Ways in Orange County. These organizations would later merge into a single Orange County United Way, dedicated solely to providing services to the Orange County community.

 

Over the years, the mission to improve lives and strengthen the community has remained the same. As communities evolve and models to effectively address key critical issues also evolve, Orange County United Way continues to mobilize the caring power of Orange County. We invite you to join us!

Orange County United Way Our History
  • 1924 - First Community Chest in Santa Ana is established, paving the way for the establishment of several United Way Funds and United Ways in Orange County.
  • 1945 - Community Chest started WWII relief fund.
  • 1950s - United Way payroll donation launched.
  • 1984 - Mergers of all local United Ways into one entity: Orange County United Way.
  • 1984-1991 - Orange County United Way establishes three regional offices in North, South, and West Orange County.
  • 1998 - Regional Offices closed and consolidated into one corporate office in Irvine, with regional presence maintained through volunteer Regional Councils.
  • 1994-2004 - United Way develops key community efforts to address specific community needs: Success by 6, Somos Familia, Keeping Kids on Track, and Women’s Empowerment Portfolio.
  • 2001 - Women’s Philanthropy Fund launched and has now grown to be a national model for United Way Women’s Leadership Councils.
  • 2004 - Orange County United Way implements the “Community Impact” funding strategy with a clear focus on Education, Income, and Basic Needs.
  • 2010 - The Destination Graduation program is launched, aimed at increasing the high school graduation rate by offering middle and high school students from high-need districts exciting college and career exploration opportunities.
  • 2012 - The first SparkPoint OC Financial Empowerment Center launched in Westminster at Abrazar, aimed at helping hard-working, low-income residents gain free access to personal financial coaching and financial resources.
  • 2014 - The FACE 2024 10-year strategic plan is adopted after two years of research, community dialogue and volunteer input to maximize and focus collective resources to make a positive impact and measure community change goals in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Housing.
  • 2017 - United Way announces the appointment of Susan B. Parks as its new President and CEO. Parks is an executive with nearly four decades of experience working in business as well as serving in various nonprofit leadership roles. This includes her significant volunteer contributions as Board Chair and founding member of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund.
  • 2018 - Orange County United Way launched the United to End Homelessness initiative, mobilizing corporate, philanthropic, nonprofit, faith-based and government leaders committed to the shared goal of ending homelessness in Orange County.
  • 2020 - Orange County United Way established a Pandemic Relief Fund to support Orange County’s most vulnerable during COVID-19 response.
  • 2023 - Orange County United Way acquired 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a major step forward in providing connections to critical housing, food, and crisis assistance and resources to those in need in Orange County.
  • 2024 - Orange County United Way launches its Journey to 100 centennial celebration, commemorating a century of impact in Orange County
  • 2024 - Thanks to dedicated volunteers attending the annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast, Orange County United Way achieved the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for most personal hygiene kits assembled in one hour (which were donated to neighbors in need).

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