SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Orange County Bar Foundation is proud to announce that it has received a $15.3 Million gift from the Jeffrey M. Carlton Foundation, the largest gift in the organization's 45-year history. The Carlton Foundation will make annual distributions equal to 5% of the fund balance beginning this year. Mr. Carlton passed away in 2012.
This gift will significantly support the many outstanding programs of the Orange County Bar Foundation, including (1) Shortstop, which provides thousands of Orange County young people the skills to avoid delinquent behavior, and to lead healthy and productive lives; (2) Project SELF, which provides an opportunity for local high school students to have paid summer internships in law firms and other professional environments; and (3) The Higher Education Mentoring program, designed to help ambitious high school students realize their dream – to attend college and possibly graduate school.
Jeffrey M. Carlton was founder, Chairman and CEO of the largest U.S. metal forging servicer and supplier, Press Forge Company in Paramount, California, and was well-known and well-liked by all who met him. He was a client and friend to Mark Minyard, Partner at Minyard Morris in Newport Beach, and Orange County Bar Foundation board member, who introduced Carlton to the meaningful work of the Orange County Bar Foundation. Says Minyard of his client and friend, "I know Mr. Carlton was on a mission to help young people and he saw the possibilities for our Orange County Bar Foundation to fulfill his vision."
Says Karen Ruan, Executive Director of the Orange County Bar Foundation, "Our Foundation can forge ahead thanks to Mr. Carlton's generous gift, which could not have come at a better time. While many of Orange County Bar Foundation's government grants are ending soon, the Jeffrey M. Carlton Foundation gift ensures that our top-notch programs continue long into the future. We are extremely thankful for the trust and support from Jeffrey Carlton."
The gift helps "steel" the organization against some of the economic uncertainty that frequently impacts nonprofits and community organizations. With a $2M annual fundraising goal, a lean and powerful leadership team, and 89% of all foundation resources going directly to program activities, the Orange County Bar Foundation will now start each year in a stronger position of financial support thanks to the Jeffrey M. Carlton Foundation.
Says President of the Orange County Bar Foundation and Partner at the Traut Firm, Eric Traut, "This gift marks a stellar beginning to our annual budget. We will continue to count on the generous support of our community partners and donors to meet our fundraising goals each year in support of the Bar Foundation's integrated prevention and intervention services."
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION: OCBF is a non-profit organization strengthening Orange County youth and families through our unique, award-winning programs including numerous health and education programs specifically designed and implemented to be gender specific. All programs are culturally appropriate and sensitive for the target population to be served. http://www.ocbarfoundation.org/