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© 2026 Samueli Foundation. All rights reserved.
Many Orange County nonprofit organizations have unmet, hard-to-fund needs. This holds them back from meeting our collective mission of a healthy community where well-being and opportunity is achievable for all.
We are committed to strengthening the Orange County social sector. The following initiatives, launched in 2025 and expanded in 2026, are our ways of meeting the community’s self-identified requests.
Since announcing the Breakaway and Build OC inaugural grants in Fall 2025, the Samueli Foundation has awarded $32 million to 235 nonprofit organizations in just nine months.
The Sun Family Foundation and Orange County Community Foundation collectively invested more than $2.6 million in Orange County nonprofits that applied for Breakaway and Build OC Funds.
A breakaway is one of the most electrifying moments in hockey. It’s a turning point, the moment when a player or individual charges ahead, unimpeded, nothing but opportunity between them and the goal. With the Breakaway Fund, we’re bringing that same momentum of possibility to our local community.
This fund provides unrestricted, easy-to-access capital that helps you and your team barrel past the usual obstacles, giving you the best possible advantage for achieving your goals. No red tape. No rigid categories. Just the support you need, when you need it most.
Please come back to our website for information about the 2027 Breakaway Fund grant cycle.
As members of the community, there’s nothing more exciting than watching Orange County 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.
Please come back to our website for information about the 2027 Build OC Fund grant cycle.
Orange County nonprofits recognize collaboration as a powerful tool—and need the resources to do it well. The OC+ Fund supports organizations that are ready to work together in deeper, more sustained ways. Whether through collaborative program delivery, shared services, or integrated organizational models, these partnerships will strengthen our social sector and better serve our communities.
The grant application opened on Monday, March 2, 2026 and closed on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:00pm PST. Grant awards will be announced by October 2026.
The Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator program provides scholarship-supported access to coaching, leadership development, and peer learning for nonprofit executive teams. Through workshops, team-led projects, and executive coaching, LFI equips leaders with the tools to strengthen their organizations, drive sustainability, and expand community impact. Participating organizations share a portion of the program cost, ensuring mutual investment in their growth.
The next enrollment window for these programs will open in April. If you're interested in being considered for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 programs, please complete the interest form and someone will be in touch in April.
Grant applications for the 2026 Breakaway, Build OC, and OC+ Funds are now closed. Please check back for 2027 fund cycle information.
Cohorts launch twice a year from 2025-2027 for Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator.
