About

Learn More. Do More. Live Better. Orange County is a fantastic place to work, live and enjoy life. Amazing things are happening here, and we are thankful to be part of so much of it. For almost 50 years, the Orange County Citizens Foundation has had just one goal: to maintain and improve the quality of life in our community. We are a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political organization that advocates for the citizens of Orange County by inspiring, founding, and powering vital organizations like Leadership Orange, The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the Orange County Arts Council, and Hudson Valley Honor Flight. We preserve our county’s treasured open spaces by establishing places like the Heritage Trail, the Arboretum, the D&H Canal Park, and the Orange County Land Trust, and help to create public spaces that capitalize on local community assets, inspiration and potential with initiatives that promote health, happiness, and well being for all our citizens. We track the trends and publish a comprehensive Quality of Life Report Card to illuminate where our county is, where it has been, and where it is headed. The Citizens Foundation is housed on a bucolic homestead in Sugar Loaf, formerly the home of artist Kurt Seligmann. Here, we offer artistic programming and bring people together to create and share new ideas and thought-provoking programming. We are invested in our community’s future by always striving to make Orange County a place where our children will want to stay, where newcomers feel welcomed and new businesses thrive. Our initiatives are powered by you. We invite you to learn more about what’s happening in our county and to be a part of the conversation on how it evolves. Visit occitizensfoundation.org and like us on social media to learn more, become a member, participate in our public forums, attend our special events, volunteer or become our corporate partner. Join us to #LearnMoreDoMoreLiveBetter #occitizensfoundation About Us The Orange County Citizens Foundation sets the environment to improve quality of life for citizens of Orange County. One Organization, Many Voices The Citizens Foundation is a not-for-profit organization driven by the influence of its members. It was started more than 40 years ago with one simple, but essential, goal: To improve quality of life for the citizens of Orange County through public policy and advocacy. Influencing the Conversation Like no other organization: We are non-partisan and provide open forums that generate conversation with thought leaders in business, the private sector, and government to help find workable solutions to our citizens’ top concerns. Our various committees, and the public, help fuel the discussion on topics including: Healthcare Water and waste management Land use Agriculture Economic development Transportation Environmental preservation Cultural affairs The Voice that Makes the Difference An ever-changing county needs a voice for its people. The Citizens Foundation is that voice. We strive to make Orange County the best that it can be. We’ve been the force behind such organizations as: Leadership Orange Orange County Arts Council Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Hudson Valley Honor Flight