Orange Countys United Way is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Irvine, California, registered in 1985, with $36,612,367 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 85% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$36.6M
▲ 36.3% vs prior year
Philanthropy median: $168K
Expenses (FY2024)
$31.2M
Net assets
$33.3M
Employees
161
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Orange Countys United Way: 85% to programs · $8 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Orange Countys United Way: 13 mo reserves · +15% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Orange Countys United Way: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Orange Countys United Way: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
To improve lives in orange county by delivering measurable long-term solutions to complex issues in education, financial stability, and housing.
Program service expense allocations are comprised of community impact grant programs and initiatives that fulfill orange county united way's mission. in addition to running our own initiatives, this includes program management of community wide collaboratives. ocuw provides evaluation and monitoring of all grant partnerships; support of critical community partnerships; leadership and participation in coalitions and committees; community outreach efforts; capacity training for funded partners; volunteer engagement efforts; and strategic partnerships with local funder collaboratives in the areas of education, income, and housing.
Through ocuw's donor designated giving program, donors have the option to designate their gift to their charity(ies) of choice, helping to facilitate philanthropy to meet local community needs. ocuw stewards these investments by ensuring donor designations are allocated to organizations that qualify as 501(c)(3) tax deductible organizations under current irs tax code law.
Revenue grew from $18.2M (FY2013) to $36.6M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
14.6%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$38.7M
Total liabilities
$5.4M
Net assets
$33.3M
Salaries & benefits
$7.4M
24% of expenses
Board members
47
46 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,612,367▲36.3% | $31,249,732▲0.1% | $33,308,830▲26.7% | $38,670,255▲15.0% | 990 |
| 2023 | $26,857,072▼24.2% | $31,221,089▼5.0% | $26,298,706▼5.5% | $33,636,837▼4.8% | 990 |
| 2022 | $35,436,311▼47.7% | $32,869,349▼52.0% | $27,825,049▲18.5% | $35,318,073▲24.4% | 990 |
| 2021 | $67,720,545▲41.1% | $68,439,130▲39.7% | $23,484,843▼10.3% | $28,387,789▼20.7% | 990 |
| 2020 | $47,986,358▲155% | $48,990,809▲143% | $26,169,784▲13.2% | $35,809,028▲27.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $18,831,807▲4.7% | $20,164,712▲28.0% | $23,123,408▼3.6% | $28,014,932▲2.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $17,986,231▲8.4% | $15,754,186▼3.2% | $23,991,965▲11.3% | $27,442,812▼1.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $16,593,306▼1.7% | $16,278,255▼9.3% | $21,550,987▲2.8% | $27,853,960▼2.7% | 990 |
| 2016 | $16,879,847▼10.2% | $17,947,341▼4.6% | $20,956,257▲1.3% | $28,612,197▲4.0% | 990 |
| 2015 | $18,802,375▼20.4% | $18,821,576▼2.6% | $20,695,411▼3.2% | $27,501,133▼8.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $23,611,512▲29.9% | $19,316,681▲2.4% | $21,387,320▲23.9% | $30,155,671▲15.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $18,174,124 | $18,860,488▲4.6% | $17,255,750▲1.0% | $26,062,463▼5.4% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $18,030,605▼4.9% | $17,086,511▲1.9% | $27,545,408▼5.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $18,969,155▲8.4% | $16,764,946▼0.3% | $29,209,208▼1.7% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $17,498,967▼24.8% | $16,809,518▲5.1% | $29,721,961▼12.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $23,282,432 | $15,986,266 | $33,932,065 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Susan B Parks — $454,940 (1.46% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan B Parks | President, Ceo | 37.5 | $454,940 |
| Chris Ticknor | Chief Transformation Officer | 37.5 | $232,838 |
| Emilee Tello | Chief Financial Officer (outgoing 4/2025) | 37.5 | $226,548 |
| Elizabeth Andrade | Executive Director, 211oc | 37.5 | $200,439 |
| Ann Ramirez | Chief Strategy Officer | 37.5 | $187,317 |
| Michael Leo Greene | Vice President, It | 37.5 | $176,530 |
| Rebecca Heyhoe | Executive Director, U2eh | 37.5 | $170,793 |
| Christine Marie Dittmer | Chief Philanthropy Officer | 37.5 | $167,660 |
| Rose Mary Buenaventura | Vice President Devops (inactive) | 37.5 | $164,070 |
| Tamara Thompson | Vp Development (inactive) | 37.5 | $153,904 |
| Sergio Contreras | Executive Director, U4ss | 37.5 | $148,003 |
| Andrew Barsoumfahmy | Executive Director, U4fs | 37.5 | $147,673 |
| Yahaira Marcela Ortiz | Director, Operations | 37.5 | $146,487 |
| Allen Staff | Director | 1 | — |
| Amy Mathieson | Director | 1 | — |
| Antonella Castro | Director | 1 | — |
| Bill Maurer | Director | 1 | — |
| Bill Pedigo | Director | 1 | — |
| Christine Scheuneman | Director | 1 | — |
| Cody Tubbs | Director | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Synoptek LLC | Software Development | $152,782 |
| Green River Data Analysis LLC | Data Warehouse | $122,915 |
| Paula Mattson | Contractor-project Management | $111,833 |
189 grants to Orange Countys United Way totaling $16.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $765,252 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospitals | United to end homelessness: housing for health thr cele | 2024 | $304,500 |
| St Jude Hospital | Community benefit restricted grant | 2024 | $250,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $236,395 |
| Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center | Community benefit restricted grant | 2024 | $175,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Philanthropy | 2024 | $175,000 |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Oc free tax prep, sparkpoint financial | 2024 | $100,600 |
| Telescope Fund | Project support | 2024 | $100,000 |
| AARP Foundation | Grant to support aarp foundation's tax-aide program | 2024 | $60,000 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $52,531 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Family | 2024 | $35,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $30,000 |
| United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Inc | Donor designations | 2024 | $25,138 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $21,000 |
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Public, societal benefit | 2024 | $19,528 |
35 grants totaling $1.7M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Orange Countys United Way →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Abrazar Inc | Income and education | $711,500 |
| Working Wardrobes For A New Start | Human services | $165,000 |
| The Chrysalis Center | Health/human services | $106,000 |
| Good Hands Foundation | Income | $88,000 |
| Anaheim Elementary School District | Health/human services | $55,450 |
| Segerstrom Center For the Arts | Education | $34,065 |
| Access California Services | Income | $34,000 |
| Anaheim Union High School District | Education | $30,000 |
| Oneoc | Health/human services | $26,800 |
| Womens Transitional Living Ctr Inc | Income/housing | $25,000 |
| Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center Inc | Income/health | $24,500 |
| Laguna Woods Village PC Club | Income | $24,000 |
| Community Action Partnership of Orange County | Income/health | $22,000 |
| Willow International | Health/human services | $20,000 |
| Dayle Mcintosh Center For the Disabled | Health/human services | $20,000 |
Explore more
Data for Orange Countys United Way (EIN 33-0047994) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.