California’s Longest-Serving Community Foundation Leader Reflects on 25 Years

Shelley Hoss, chief executive officer of the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), marks a significant milestone as California’s longest-serving community foundation leader, celebrating 25 years in her role. Under her guidance, the foundation has grown to distribute approximately $100 million annually in grants and scholarships from around 650 charitable funds. Since its inception in 1989, OCCF has achieved a remarkable total of over $1.6 billion in cumulative giving, positioning it among the top community foundations in the United States.

In recognition of her contributions, Hoss will receive the highest alumni award from the University of California, Irvine this November. She earned her Masters of Business and Public Administration from the university in 1987. Hoss’s extensive career in the nonprofit sector also includes a decade as associate executive director of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and nearly four years leading Girls Inc. of Orange County.

Reflecting on her extensive experience, Hoss emphasizes her commitment to serving those in need during a time of increasing societal polarization. “My sights are on the future, but I am leaning into the work,” she states. “In some ways, I feel like I spent my whole career getting ready to show up for this moment.”

Throughout her career, Hoss has learned valuable lessons about the importance of community engagement and philanthropy. She notes that many of the individuals she works with come from backgrounds of first-generation wealth and understand the impact of philanthropy firsthand. “The happiest people I know are those who are actively engaged in giving,” she explains. “It is something that money can’t buy.”

Hoss’s journey into nonprofit work began during her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Riverside, where she designed a program that combined finance, political science, and sociology. A pivotal moment for her came when she volunteered at a summer camp for children in the foster care system. “To see the transformation from people reflecting their values with love and respect made me realize just how much of a difference a small act can make,” she recalls.

As she reflects on her tenure at OCCF, Hoss highlights the need for community members to engage in meaningful work. “Whatever your heart is drawn to, whether it’s gardening or helping others read, get involved,” she advises. “It’s essential for your own mental health and for connecting with others who share your values.”

In a time when divisive rhetoric often overshadows constructive dialogue, Hoss advocates for the importance of listening to opposing viewpoints. “We need to exercise that muscle of really listening,” she asserts. “It’s the only way we can move forward.”

As for her future at OCCF, Hoss is optimistic yet realistic. “I have spent almost 40 years building up social capital. I have a very clear sense of what is needed in the next three to five years,” she says. “As long as everyone still wants me around and I’m having a positive impact, I can’t imagine what trouble I would get into if I didn’t have a useful purpose.”

Hoss remains dedicated to the work at hand, embodying a philosophy that reflects a deep commitment to community service and philanthropy. Her story, marked by dedication and purpose, serves as an inspiration to many in the nonprofit sector and beyond.