T

he William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation (O'Neill Foundation) conducts the Capacity Building Grants Program to provide support for activities designed to build capacity in an organization so it can better fulfill its mission and vision. 

Grants are awarded for capacity building activities that develop or improve the effectiveness, impact and strength of the organization. Capacity building initiatives may include those that strengthen board and staff leadership, strategic planning, financial systems, human resource management, technology, or other activities that improve an organization's infrastructure. 

 A vital component of this grantmaking program is active collaboration between the O'Neill Foundation and grant seekers. Our staff and family actively engage with organizations in all phases of the grant request process to develop a supportive relationship and thorough understanding of the proposed project.  In turn the Foundation assures that the potential grantee is fully informed about our grantmaking process and the status of their request. 

GETTING STARTED

To be considered for funding by the O'Neill Foundation an organization must be:

     a.) tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is not a private foundation and is

     b.) domiciled or operating in metropolitan areas where O'Neill family members active in the work of the Foundation currently live.

          These areas are:

          Cleveland, OH
          Cincinnati, OH
          Columbus, OH
          Licking County, OH
          Baltimore/Annapolis, MD
          Big Island, HI
          Bonita Springs/Naples, FL
          Houston, TX
          New York City, NY
          Richmond, VA
          San Francisco, CA
          Washington, DC

The O'Neill Foundation Capacity Building Grants Program does not fund: 

           Operations or expansion of existing programs
           Debt retirement
           Endowment funds
           Fundraising events
           Grants to individuals
           Lobbying  activities
           Capital campaigns
           Religious organizations for evangelical purposes 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Consists of 4 steps: determination of eligibility; submission of a letter of inquiry, a site visit and an invited proposal.  PLEASE NOTE: The O'Neill Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals

1. Eligibility

An organization is eligible to begin the grantseeking process if they have received a grant for the Foundation in the past or if an organization has been notified that it is eligible.

Organizations interested in becoming eligible should contact Grants Manager, Cynthia Drennan, for an application. Ms. Drennan will provide guidance through this phase of the process. She may be reached at 216-831-4136 or via email at cdrennan@oneillfdn.org

2. The Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

The Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is a brief document that provides essential information regarding the proposed capacity building project.  To submit an LOI click on Letter of Inquiry (LOI), Save form to computer, complete the form, save as a Word document labeled, "ONF LOI", along with your agency's name and attach to an email addressed to cdrennan@oneillfdn.org. Be sure to title the email as follows: LOI from (insert your agency's name)

Our deadlines for submitting an LOI in 2008 are:

January 2, April 1, July 1, and October 1* (if any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the following business day). LOI's must be received by the close of the business day.  Those that arrive late will be considered in the next funding cycle. 
* October 1 is a tentative date. Please contact the Foundation for updated information.

3. The Site Visit

Once your LOI has been received it will be reviewed by our staff and you will be notified regarding the need for a site visit.

The O'Neill Foundation believes that a site visit is a vitally important step in the application process.  It provides insights into a request that can only be obtained through dialogue and discussion between the Foundation and the principals of the organization.  Additionally, the site visit provides an opportunity for Foundation staff to share information about the O'Neill Foundation and its grantmaking activities. 

The Foundation and the applicant have important roles and responsibilities to assure a productive site visit.

APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITies
The applicant organization should thoughtfully plan for the site visit to ensure that a clear presentation of the work of the organization and the proposed project is provided.    

1. Assemble the principals of the proposed project - key agency personnel including the Executive Director, representatives from collaborating organizations and any others important to the project to be discussed. Board members, while not required, demonstrate a commitment to the proposed project.
2. Develop an agenda for the site visit that includes:
   * an overview of the organization's mission, vision, and primary programs
   * a description of the assessment process used to determine what the capacity building project addresses
   * an explanation of the project's logistics, budget, evaluation and sustainability plan

FOUNDATION RESPONSIBILITies
Foundation staff view the site visit as an opportunity to more fully understand the organization, the project and key personnel.  In addition, we are responsible to our applicants to support them through all phases of the grantseeking process.  At the site visit  we will:

1. Fully describe the Foundation's grantmaking process and provide deadline and notification dates.
2. Share any concerns regarding the proposed project and present a clear understanding of the project's standing within the Foundation's grant cycle.
3. Share information regarding others we may know of working on similar projects who may be a source of consultation

In general, site visits are held at the applicant organization's site if possible and last 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

4. The Invited Proposal

Once the LOI has been received and a site visit has been completed, Foundation staff will inform the applicant if a proposal to support the project will be invited.  Applicants who are invited to submit a proposal will receive detailed information regarding the format and submission dates.

If a proposal is not invited, the reasons for the decision will be clearly explained to the organization by Foundation staff.

Please feel free to call the Foundation Office at 216-831-4134 if you have further questions.