Orange County’s United Way (“OC United Way”) is a human services organization that invests in the communities it serves by delivering education, financial security, and housing programs throughout Orange County, California. OC United Way also operates 211OC, a basic needs referral hotline accessed by over a hundred and thirty thousand residents a year.
The Law Firm for Non-Profits (“LFNP”) recently sat down with Susan Parks, President and Chief Executive Officer of OC United Way.
LFNP: United Way is such a respected and well-known organization. Is balancing that national brand with OC United Way’s unique mission a challenge?
OC United Way: We have a powerful international brand and that is great, but we want people to know that the work we do is intensely local. At the beginning of any new relationship, we try to make that clear so people know that their gifts support our initiatives focused on improving lives in Orange County.
LFNP: Many nonprofit stakeholders value evidence-based over experience-based practices. How does OC United Way – as a grantmaker and convener – both honor the lived experience of its partners and ensure its partnering decisions are data-driven?
OC United Way: We use research data to define and understand the impact of the work that we do. And we collect a lot of data regarding what are the greatest needs. For example, let’s take our homelessness work. We commissioned the University of California, Irvine, to do a cost study on homelessness. We work with our partners to interpret data such as this and to determine how we can help the community be even better.
LFNP: What can the OC United Way be doing better?
OC United Way: I’m always working on how we can build greater awareness of what we do and how we do it. That’s something we can do better because many people don’t know that we provide services in all 34 cities of Orange County. That when there’s a big need in the county, we step forward and ask, “How can we help, learn, and then take action?” We are focused on doing what is right for the people of Orange County.
LFNP: Tell us a bit about the initiative “4 Million Moments of Impact by 2030.”
OC United Way: This initiative reminds our community members that we’re all in this together. Some day you might be the person that needs help, and some day you might be the person that can provide help. So let’s help each other and find ways we can make a positive impact on each other. Let’s care and take care of our neighbors. And let’s track the different ways we are engaged with each other.
LFNP: What about Orange County inspires you?
OC United Way: When we get the message through to people about what the greatest needs are in the community, they respond. They want to know how they can help. That is always encouraging to me. The other thing that inspires me is what I hear from the people we serve. Their stories remind me that we are all alike – we want to make sure our children are educated, and that they have opportunities. Those stories that I hear every day inspire me to do more.