he Foundation’s philosophy is rooted in the shared values, sentiments and beliefs of members of the O’Neill family. They recognize that engagement on behalf of their fellow human beings is a significant part of the journey through life.

 Our Vision: By combining and focusing our time, talent and treasure, and adopting an investor's approach to our philanthropy, we hope to maximize the returns which accrue to society from our philanthropic endeavors.

Our Mission: Our Foundation exists to serve our fellow human beings. We believe we best serve by maximizing all our resources and deploying them under well thought-out strategies, developed in partnership with others, in important areas of large beneficial impact. Our secondary reason for being is to help our family members work and grow together, and to enhance the bonds of respect and love among those who participate.

To implement this philosophy, our Foundation adopted a comprehensive strategy which includes direction for the governance and administration of the Foundation and guidelines for its grantmaking.

Foundation grants currently fall into four major segments:

• The first segment consists of a focus area selected by the Grantmaking Committee. The current focus is in the area of “family.” O’Neill family members commit their individual time and talent as advisors to the "fathering" projects funded in this area.
  
  

• The second segment includes a wide range of philanthropic program areas, but grants are made only for "capacity building" purposes and to "eligible" grantseekers. Here, the Grantmaking Committee responds to unsolicited grant requests.
  
  

• The third segment consists of matching gifts and gifts in Recognition of Service, made to a variety of charitable organizations which are supported by members of the O’Neill family.
  
  

• The fourth segment includes grant requests which have been solicited by O'Neill family members. These grants are not limited to "capacity building" purposes.

In 2006, approximately 20% of Foundation grants are projected to go to the first segment, 49% to the second segment, 9% to the third segment, and 22% to the fourth segment.