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Advocacy at Orange County United Way

Whether you are a local supporter, donor, board member, community partner, nonprofit collaborator, policymaker or volunteer, we’re bringing you resources to help you stay informed and take action on the issues impacting Orange County. If you are new to advocacy or a long-time champion for change, this is your hub for learning, engaging, and making your voice heard across the county.

Our Advocacy Vision

Orange County United Way advocates for policies that improve education, housing stability, financial security and community resilience. We are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

 

Your voice is a powerful tool for change. By engaging in advocacy, we can shape policies that advance educational opportunities, end homelessness, improve health access, and build pathways to financial stability for all Orange County residents.

Advocate speaking up for community change in Orange County

About Our Advocacy and Policy Work

Orange County United Way’s public policy priorities reflect our commitment to improving opportunities for all community members. We envision an Orange County united to improve lives today and for generations to come.

Our 2025–2027 Policy Priorities

Orange County United Way works with local, state and national networks to advance policies that strengthen education, financial security, housing stability, and community resilience.

Education &
Career

We support policies that help underserved students graduate on time and prepare for college and careers through expanded career counseling, job training, and access to Career and Technical Education programs.

Financial
Security

We advocate for expanded income supports, workforce development, affordable homeownership opportunities, and policies that reflect the true cost of living in Orange County.

Housing &
Homelessness

We work to strengthen systems of care, expand affordable housing access, and enhance homelessness prevention efforts to ensure our neighbors have a safe place to call home.

Community
Resilience

We champion investments in 211OC, healthcare access, food security, disaster response, and sustained public funding for essential education, housing, and human services programs.

Our impact

Advocacy In Action

We believe advocacy must translate into real results for our community. Here are a few recent examples of how we’ve turned policy into progress so far this year:

In partnership with local elected leaders including State Senator Blakespear, Assemblymember Tri Ta, Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Foley, Orange County Supervisor Nguyen and the city of Santa Ana, we have elevated public awareness around Orange County Free Tax Prep (OCFTP), organizing “Tea and Taxes” events to help working families claim millions in tax credits each year. Visit OC Free Tax Prep to learn more about the program.

Through Women United, we are training community members in advocacy skills—equipping volunteers with the tools to effectively engage local elected leadership and champion community-focused policies.

We have advanced state-level budget requests to sustain and expand funding for 211OC and free tax preparation services, protecting vital infrastructure that connects families to essential support.

Women United advocacy training panel at Orange County United Way
United to End Homelessness executive speaking on housing policy
Legislation

Federal & State Legislation We Support

Orange County United Way works in partnership with United Way Worldwide and United Ways of California to advance policy solutions at every level of government.

 

Some of Our Current Legislative Priorities Include:

 

  • CalEITC Expansion: Expanding the California Earned Income Tax Credit to reach more low-income families.
  • State Budget Requests: Securing sustained funding for 211 services and Orange County Free Tax Prep.
  • HELP Act of 2026: Expanding and strengthening the 211 system nationwide.
National Policy Priorities
Statewide Efforts
Key issues

What We’re Watching This Spring

We continuously monitor legislation and budget developments that impact education, housing, financial stability, and health in Orange County.

 

Current focus areas include:

 

  • California state budget negotiations and implications for human services funding
  • Federal funding levels for SNAP, Medicaid, and housing programs
  • Developments in homelessness policy and affordable housing investments
California Budget Process
Community town hall supporting legislation for Orange County families

Take Action

Advocacy only works when people participate. Here’s how you can get involved today:

 

Join national and state campaigns through these action alerts:

Urge State Leaders to Expand the Young Child Tax Credit for More CA Families

Urge CA State Legislators to Fund Critical 211 Community Resources

 

 

You can also explore Housing Advocacy efforts through:

United to End Homelessness Advocacy:

Contact Us

For more information about Orange County United Way’s advocacy efforts, please contact:

 

Jennie Cottle

JennieC@UnitedWayOC.org

 

Stay Informed & Take Action

Advocacy at Orange County United Way

Advocacy Resources for Orange County

Whether you are a local supporter, donor, board member, community partner, nonprofit collaborator, policymaker or volunteer, we’re bringing you resources to help you stay informed and take action on the issues impacting Orange County. If you are new to advocacy or a long-time champion for change, this is your hub for learning, engaging, and making your voice heard across the county.

Our Advocacy Vision

Orange County United Way advocates for policies that improve education, housing stability, financial security and community resilience. We are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

 

Your voice is a powerful tool for change. By engaging in advocacy, we can shape policies that advance educational opportunities, end homelessness, improve health access, and build pathways to financial stability for all Orange County residents.

About Our Advocacy and Policy Work

Orange County United Way’s public policy priorities reflect our commitment to improving opportunities for all community members. We envision an Orange County united to improve lives today and for generations to come.

Our 2025–2027 Policy Priorities

Orange County United Way works with local, state and national networks to advance policies that strengthen education, financial security, housing stability, and community resilience.

Education

We support policies that help underserved students graduate on time and prepare for college and careers through expanded career counseling, job training, and access to Career and Technical Education programs.

Financial Security

We advocate for expanded income supports, workforce development, affordable homeownership opportunities, and policies that reflect the true cost of living in Orange County.

Housing & Homelessness

We work to strengthen systems of care, expand affordable housing access, and enhance homelessness prevention efforts to ensure our neighbors have a safe place to call home.

Community Resilience

We champion investments in 211OC, healthcare access, food security, disaster response, and sustained public funding for essential education, housing, and human services programs.

Community members at Orange County United Way advocacy event
Advocate speaking up for community change in Orange County
Young people collaborating on advocacy and community engagement

Our Impact: Advocacy in Action

We believe advocacy must translate into real results for our community. Here are a few recent examples of how we’ve turned policy into progress so far this year:

OC Free Tax Prep Advocacy Events

In partnership with local elected leaders including State Senator Blakespear, Assemblymember Tri Ta, Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Foley, Orange County Supervisor Nguyen and the city of Santa Ana, we have elevated public awareness around Orange County Free Tax Prep (OCFTP), organizing “Tea and Taxes” events to help working families claim millions in tax credits each year. Visit OC Free Tax Prep to learn more about the program.

Women United advocacy training panel at Orange County United Way

Women United Advocacy Training

Through Women United, we are training community members in advocacy skills—equipping volunteers with the tools to effectively engage local elected leadership and champion community-focused policies.

State Budget Advocacy for 211OC and OC Free Tax Prep

We have advanced state-level budget requests to sustain and expand funding for 211OC and free tax preparation services, protecting vital infrastructure that connects families to essential support.

Federal & State Legislation We Support

Orange County United Way works in partnership with United Way Worldwide and United Ways of California to advance policy solutions at every level of government.

 

Some of Our Current Legislative Priorities Include:

  • CalEITC Expansion: Expanding the California Earned Income Tax Credit to reach more low-income families.
  • State Budget Requests: Securing sustained funding for 211 services and Orange County Free Tax Prep.
  • HELP Act of 2026: Expanding and strengthening the 211 system nationwide.

Explore our advocacy network:

United Way Worldwide Public Policy
United Ways of California — Take Action
Community town hall supporting legislation for Orange County families
United to End Homelessness executive speaking on housing policy
United Way team meeting with elected officials
United Way advocates with California state legislators

Key Issues: What We’re Watching This Spring

We continuously monitor legislation and budget developments that impact education, housing, financial stability, and health in Orange County.

 

Current focus areas include:

• California state budget negotiations and implications for human services funding

• Federal funding levels for SNAP, Medicaid, and housing programs

• Developments in homelessness policy and affordable housing investments

To learn more about the California budget process, visit the California Budget and Policy Center.

Latest Updates & Take Action

Advocacy only works when people participate. Here’s how you can get involved today:

Take Action

Join national and state campaigns through these action alerts:

Urge State Leaders to Expand the Young Child Tax Credit for More CA Families
Urge CA State Legislators to Fund Critical 211 Community Resources

You can also explore Housing Advocacy efforts through:

United to End Homelessness Advocacy

Contact Us

For more information about Orange County United Way’s advocacy efforts, please contact:

 

Jennie Cottle
JennieC@unitedwayoc.org

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© 2026 Orange County United Way. All rights reserved.
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