The Build OC Fund

The Build OC Fund is sponsored by Samueli Foundation. The Build OC Fund aims to enhance community well-being in Orange County, California, by funding capital projects for nonprofit organizations. Grants support facility acquisition, construction, renovation, or equipment purchases, helping organizations deliver essential services.

Build OC Fund - Samueli Foundation The Samueli Foundation Today Our Philanthropic Approach OC Nonprofit Needs Assessment Frequently Asked Questions The Samueli Foundation Today Our Philanthropic Approach OC Nonprofit Needs Assessment Frequently Asked Questions As members of the community, there’s nothing more exciting than watching Orange County, California grow for the better.

The Build OC Fund is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Orange County’s nonprofits by funding capital projects. Since announcing the Build OC inaugural grant fund in Fall 2025, the Samueli Foundation has invested more than $16 million to 30 community capital projects in just nine months . 2026 Build OC Fund Grant Recipients Check back for information about the 2027 Build OC Fund grant cycle.

Breakaway Fund application on the Samueli Foundation portal opens: Monday, March 2, 2026 Breakaway Fund application on the Samueli Foundation portal closes: Friday, April 10, 2026 at 5:00pm PST Breakaway Fund grant awards announcements: Thursday, July 9, 2026 Breakaway Fund grant payments processed: By December 31, 2026 According to our Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment , many Orange County nonprofit organizations are struggling with inadequate or unaffordable physical space.

High rental costs, lack of long-term leases, and limited access to funding for facility improvements prevent organizations from expanding services, retaining staff, and providing welcoming, functional environments for their communities.

The Build OC Fund supports: Equipment (i.e., major equipment as part of a larger capital project) Renovation (i.e., to significantly revamp an existing facility or outdoor space or to maintain or repair existing historic structures) Repair (i.e., for maintenance or repair of a facility or outdoor space) Last mile funding for new construction (i.e., less than 10% of total costs remain for a new building or an addition to an existing building) Organizations may apply for one-time capital grants up to $1,000,000 for projects located in Orange County, California for which they have site control or are in the process of securing site control (e.g., ownership of the property, option to purchase, long-term lease of at least 7 years).

The project should be completed or reach a meaningful milestone within one year of receiving funding. Organizations may submit applications for up to one capital project for the Build OC Fund. Grant awards will be made as a single payment before December 31, 2026.

To be considered for the Build OC Fund, your organization: Must not have been awarded a Build OC Fund grant in 2025 Must be able to receive charitable dollars Must be based in Orange County, California Is seeking funding for a capital project that is in line with the Build OC Fund guidelines Has been in operation for a minimum of 5 years Must be aligned with the Samueli Foundation's mission and values The following organizations are not eligible for funding: We do not provide funding to any organization that discriminates based on race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status.

This also includes organizations that espouse hate and discrimination towards any group International organizations Individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance Political, labor, or fraternal organizations involved in partisan work The Samueli Foundation will be looking at the following criteria: Organization : The organization helps to advance well-being and opportunity for all individuals and families living in Orange County Project : The proposed activities are realistic and feasible and will enable the organization to better deliver its mission Funding : The request represents the “right resources” for the project (i.e., would allow the organization to cover 100% of the project’s costs) It is unlikely we will prioritize capital projects that are in early stages of development.

We know that most costs for capital projects will exceed our grant awards, so we will prioritize capital projects that are nearing a final phase or need our grant award to complete their projects. Please note: These funds are highly competitive, and we anticipate receiving a large number of strong proposals.

In the previous cycle, the number of qualified applications exceeded the resources available, meaning many worthy projects could not be funded. In many cases, this was not due to shortcomings in an application, but simply the result of reviewers having to make difficult choices among many strong opportunities. The grant application opened on March 2, 2026 and closed on April 10, 2026 at 5:00pm PST.

For 2026, you may only submit one application per organization. Check back for information about the 2027 Build OC Fund grant cycle.

The grant application process for the Build OC Fund will include the following steps: Visit the Samueli Foundation portal using the button above/below Create a new user account or use your existing account (for previously registered portal account users) Start your Build OC Fund application with our eligibility quiz Complete and submit your Build OC Fund application All applications must be submitted through the Samueli Foundation portal.

Once the application opens, you can save, print, and return to it at any time. We have also provided resources below to help you create an account, understand the questions, and get started. Due to the nature of the capital project requests, we may follow-up with additional questions after your submission.

We have created a few key resources that will help you through the application process: Frequently Asked Questions : Specifically designed to cover important information related to the Breakaway, Build OC and OC+ Funds, their application processes and more. Copy of Application Questions : A copy of the application questions for you to review.

We encourage you to gather all your information prior to starting your application after reviewing the questions. All applications must be submitted online through the Samueli Foundation Grantee Portal.

Step by Step Guides for the Samueli Foundation Portal and Application Process : We have created guides that walk you through a few components of the Samueli Foundation portal and application process: Setting up an account / creating a login in the Samueli Foundation portal Entering your organization name in the portal Applying as as a fiscally sponsored program We’ve done our best to anticipate common questions in the Resources section of this website, including Frequently Asked Questions and helpful guides.

We encourage all prospective applicants to review these materials carefully, as they provide detailed information about eligibility, allowable uses of funds, and the application process. If you’re unable to find the answer you’re looking for, please reach out to us at buildoc@samueli. org .

To ensure a fair and consistent process for all applicants, we are not able to provide individualized guidance on specific proposed uses of funds. Because we expect a high volume of applications and inquiries, this website will remain the best place to find the most current information. The Samueli Foundation may use AI-supported tools to help manage portions of the Build OC Fund application process.

2025 Build OC Grant Recipients