Friday, February 28, 2020 (11:49 am)

New OC Fair & Event Center Community Engagement Program approved

The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors voted Feb. 27 to approve a new Community Engagement Program aimed at helping local community groups, nonprofits and government agencies by supporting projects and events this year.

A Community Engagement Program was proposed by CEO Michele Richards as a way to include employees and the board in decisions on how OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) supports local efforts that are in alignment with the agency’s mission and that meet specific criteria. OCFEC’s mission is “Celebration of Orange County’s communities, interests, agriculture and heritage.”

As part of OCFEC’s 2020 budget, a $150,000 Community Engagement Fund was set aside and a committee of two board members was created to work with a 10-member employee panel to determine which requests will be approved and funded.

“The idea of this Community Engagement Program is extremely important to me. I want a fully transparent process in place and I believe it is in the best interest of the organization and public for our employees to be involved in this decision-making,” said Richards. “We want these funds to help further our mission and to lift up the people and the organizations out there doing such good work in our communities.”

The Community Engagement Fund is one of several ways that OCFEC provides support to local philanthropic groups and other organizations.

The Community Meeting Space Program allows groups to use meeting rooms for free or at a discount and the Community Event Rental Waiver program offers free or discounted use of facilities for events and larger meetings. Facilities must not be booked for other uses and particular criteria must be met. Staffing and equipment rental or usage costs are not included in the fee waiver and are subject to charges.

Organizations interested in applying for any of OCFEC’s community programs can soon fill out an application online at ocfair.com/communityprograms.