It is the goal of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association to make charitable gifts to non-profits in the spirit of assisting the advancement of the status of women and children in law and society in matters including, but not limited to:
Legal services, education, awareness, and prevention services regarding domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Gender discrimination, harassment, or bias against women.
Access to services that support and improve the rights and lives of women.
Philanthropic Giving Application Policy
One time each calendar year, the OCWLA board shall review all applications for OCWLA’s philanthropic giving. All submissions must be received by February 28. After the submissions are received, each applicant will be assigned to an OCWLA Philanthropy Committee board member who will learn about the applicant organization. The board member should consider speaking with the applicant and conducting a site visit. Philanthropic gifts may range up to $5,000 per organization in a one year period. Maximum gift amounts may be modified by the board. Grants will be awarded during the first quarter of the year.
Any OCWLA board member who is affiliated with an organization that submits an application for a philanthropic gift, either as a member, board member, or officer, shall refrain from voting on that organization’s gift from OCWLA.
In deciding which organizations should receive philanthropic gifts, OCWLA’s board should consider the following:
Whether the gift will facilitate volunteerism and community service by members of OCWLA.
Whether the gift will bring positive public attention to OCWLA.
Whether the gift will meet OCWLA’s philanthropic giving policy.
Whether the goals and objectives of an organization are consistent with OCWLA’s philanthropic giving application mission.
Whether the Organization is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
OCWLA shall observe the following limitations, and should not make philanthropic gifts to the following organizations:
Organizations having a religious, political or lobbying purpose, unless these activities are incidental to the primary organizational mission.
Organizations whose primary function is to allocate funds to other charitable organizations or projects.
Projects that will take place outside Orange County.
The OCWLA Currently Supports The Following Organizations
Elder Law and Disability Rights Center – Donation $5,000. The ELDR Center believes that low-income seniors and people with disabilities are among the fastest growing vulnerable populations falling into a gap in our justice system. We have an obligation to ensure they can live with dignity and independently make end of life plans despite their income. Through advocacy, education, and the provision of free and low-cost legal services, the ELDR Center strives to ensure dignity and justice for members of our communities who are elderly, living with disabilities, or experiencing homelessness.
CASA of Orange County – Donation $5,000. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is serving Orange County’s most severely abused, abandoned, and neglected children through the recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers who advocate for their best interest.
Community Legal Aid SoCal – Donation $5,000. Community Legal Aid SoCal is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income people throughout Orange and Southeast Los Angeles Counties. With an emphasis on innovation, language access, and a holistic approach to client care, we support clients with the following services: Evaluation, Advice, and Counsel; Clinics, Workshops, and Self-Help Centers; Direct Representation; Impact Litigation; Policy Advocacy
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OCWLA thanks its members and sponsors for their generous support and contributions, and looks forward to partnering with members, sponsors and the community, to carry forward the OCWLA’s commitment to the community, women in the legal profession, and all those who support their advancement.
The OCWLA Supported The Following Organizations in 2021
Family Legal Assistance at CHOC Children’s – Donation $5,000. Family Legal Assistance at CHOC Children’s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides full legal representation to low-income families of critically ill and developmentally disabled patients who are required to obtain legal documentation before they can receive health care treatment.
CASA of Orange County – Donation $5,000. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is serving Orange County’s most severely abused, abandoned, and neglected children through the recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers who advocate for their best interest.
Orange County Justice Fund – Donation $3,500. Orange County Justice Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to detained immigrants in Orange County, including women who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.
Human Options – Donation $2,000. Human Options is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads the way at the center of a collective county-wide response in service of those threatened by abuse in Orange County and provides a variety of services, including legal services to victims of domestic violence. Since it was founded thirty seven years ago, it has impacted the lives of more than 38,000 individuals affected by relationship violence.
Laura’s House – Donations of $2,000 and an additional $2000. Laura’s House provide unduplicated domestic violence-related services to the 915,000 residents of Orange County, California and beyond. Over the past 24 years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and supportive services to more than 5,000 abused women, men and children and counseling, life skills, education and legal advocacy to over 55,000 persons.
Tathiana’s Home - Donation $2,000. A newly-established home in Orange County dedicated to providing a safe home and 24-hour support to victims of human trafficking
Code Open Sesame – Donation $1,868. Code Open Sesame is an organization made up of college and high school volunteers who teach computer coding to children at homeless and domestic violence shelters.
Girls Inc. – Donation $1,000. The network of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves girls ages 6-18 at more than 1,400 sites in 400 cities across the United States and Canada. Their research-based programming is delivered by trained professionals who focus on the development of the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, and guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment, where girls can learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.
Project Youth OCBF – Donation $1,000. Project Youth OCBF (formerly Orange County Bar Foundation) is a 501(c(3) nonprofit organization working to keep at-risk youth in school and drug free through education, counseling, mentoring, and family strengthening.
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The OCWLA Has Also Given Support To The Following Organizations
Orange County Women
