Simply stated, Orange County United Way is about helping people.

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In 2009, your contributions helped Orange County United Way to:

Provide 302 daycare scholarships to working families who were able to continue paying their bills.
Fund mentorships for 491 at-risk children, reducing their chances of using drugs or alcohol, skipping school or engaging in violent activities, while increasing their likelihood of success in school.
Provide 36,620 meals to families and individuals in need.
Foster independence for 118 blind or visually impaired individuals

…just to name a few.

The United Way movement includes approximately 1,286 community-based United Way organizations. Each is operated independently, and governed by local volunteers.
United Ways must ensure that each agency in which they invest is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by volunteers, and that it submits to an annual, independent financial audit, provides services at a reasonable cost, and maintains a policy of non-discrimination.
Because of the vast network of volunteers and the simplicity of corporate payroll deduction, administrative expenses for Orange County United Way average 20 percent of all funds raised. This low figure compares favorably with the suggested Better Business Bureau guideline of up to 35 percent.
Orange County United Way recently completed a Community Needs assessment to determine how donor funds can be put to good use in Orange County to alleviate community problems and their sources, not just their symptoms.
Community Needs Assessment .pdf 563.79 KB
During United Way’s extensive annual citizens review process, local experienced volunteers assess community needs and determine how to distribute funds so that donors know their money is serving the most pressing community issues and reaching people who are most in need.
United Way funded program listing 2009-2010.pdf 160.42 KB
United Way funded program listing 2010-2011.pdf 160.42 KB