What happens when nonprofits’ hands are tied with restricted funding?

Too many Orange County nonprofits are delivering essential services in outdated, inadequate spaces. From leaking roofs to aging equipment, physical infrastructure barriers stand in the way of mission-driven impact. Yet capital needs are often the hardest to fund.

In response, the Samueli Foundation launched the Build OC Fund to support high-impact capital investments—from renovations and new construction to equipment and land acquisition. Our goal is simple: help nonprofits build the spaces they need to lead, serve, and thrive.

The Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment (OCNNA)

The Samueli Foundation’s research revealed the financial fragility of our nonprofit sector and informed Build OC’s focus on breaking the cycle of survival through capital investment.

Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILD OC

What is the Build OC Fund?

The Build OC Fund delivers streamlined, trust-based capital grants for hard-to-fund but mission-critical needs. No request is too basic when it means a roof that protects, plumbing that works, or equipment that saves lives.

We’re investing in the essentials that communities desperately need: spaces that restore dignity, facilities that last for generations, and infrastructure that makes every other service possible. No years-long campaigns. No naming rights negotiations. Just responsive support for the physical assets that help nonprofits thrive. Capital investments multiply impact. Updates on future Build OC Fund cycles will be shared at https://www.samueli.org/for-grantseekers/.