2010 Cycle 1 Capacity Building Grants      

The O'Neill Foundation announced $593,774 in grants made at the March 12, 2010 meeting of the Grantmaking Committee.  Thirty awards were granted for capacity building projects spanning seven of the O'Neill Foundation cities including Naples, Florida; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Houston, Texas; New York City, New York; and the District of Columbia.  Highlights from this cycle's docket include:

- In Cleveland, OH, New Avenues to Independence will be building capacity for their Buckeye Industries Initiative. A grant in the amount of $20,000 will generate new marketing materials and a website for their new vocational services program that includes shredding services and office cleaning.

- Katy Christian Ministries located near Houston, TX received $16,194 to develop and implement a new data software package that will be customized to the forms and needs of the agency.  The new software will allow for better tracking of donations received and assistance provided to individuals and families, providing better data for funders.

- The District of Columbia's Samaritan Inns agency will receive $30,000 to engage a consultant to build marketing and public relations capacity of the agency.  The consultant firm, MCStrategies, will position the agency to be a premier voice on housing and rehabilitative services in the DC area. 

- Finally, The Brooklyn Academy of Music will develop a mobile version of their ban.org website.  The site will be an easy way for handheld users to check performance schedules, buy tickets, or become a member from their Iphone, Blackberry or other mobile device ($16,100).