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O'Neill Family Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$5.3M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.5M

O'Neill Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,343,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly ($20,000 median; up to $490,000)
  • Geographic Focus: National (concentrated in New York, Florida, and Colorado)
  • Total Assets: $155.7 million

Contact Details

Location: New York, NY

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The O'Neill Family Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation established in December 2011 and based in New York. With total assets of approximately $155.7 million and annual giving of $5.3 million (2023), the trust supports a diverse range of organizations across the United States. The foundation is governed by six trustees, including Peter M. O'Neill and George D. O'Neill Jr., who serve without compensation. While some sources indicate the trust focuses on environmental funding, recent grant data shows a broader philanthropic approach supporting arts and culture, international development, educational institutions, and historic preservation. In 2023, the foundation made 82 grants with awards ranging from modest amounts to $490,000, demonstrating flexible giving across multiple sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides General Support grants rather than program-specific funding, offering flexibility to recipient organizations. Based on 2023 data:

  • Grant Range: $20,000 (median) to $490,000 (maximum)
  • Application Method: Invitation only; no public application process
  • Total Grants Distributed: 82 grants totaling $5.3 million in 2023

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant recipients, the foundation supports:

  • Arts and Culture: Including the Asian Cultural Council ($350,000)
  • Historic Preservation: Colonial Williamsburg Income Transfer Account ($490,000)
  • International Development: Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development ($300,000)
  • Educational Institutions: Hampshire College Trustees ($200,000), International House ($250,000)
  • Environmental Conservation: Various organizations across the U.S.
  • Community Organizations: Diverse recipients across 15+ states

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations. No specific exclusions are publicly documented beyond this restrictive approach.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by six trustees, each serving approximately one hour weekly with no compensation:

  • Peter M. O'Neill - Trustee
  • George D. O'Neill Jr. - Trustee
  • Abby O. Caulkins - Trustee
  • David M. O'Neill - Trustee
  • Catharine Broderick - Trustee
  • Wendy H. O'Neill - Trustee

The trust appears to be a family-run foundation with multiple generations of the O'Neill family involved in governance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The O'Neill Family Charitable Trust explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations with which the foundation already has relationships or has identified through its own research and networks. Prospective applicants should not expect to submit proposals directly.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made internally by the board of trustees based on their own priorities and research.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share certain characteristics:

  • Established Track Record: Recipients tend to be well-established institutions with national or regional reputations (Colonial Williamsburg, Asian Cultural Council, Hampshire College)
  • Diverse Sectors: The foundation supports organizations across multiple sectors rather than focusing narrowly on one area
  • General Operating Support: All grants in 2023 were designated for general support, suggesting the foundation values organizational stability and flexibility
  • Geographic Distribution: While concentrated in New York (41 grants in 2023), the foundation supports organizations across at least 15 states, with notable clusters in Florida (11 grants) and Colorado (8 grants)
  • Relationship-Based: Grant-making appears to be driven by existing relationships with trustees or organizations previously known to the foundation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, making it inaccessible to most organizations without existing connections
  • Pre-Selected Organizations Only: All grants go to organizations the trustees have already identified and selected
  • Flexible General Support: The foundation provides unrestricted funding, suggesting they trust recipient organizations to use funds where most needed
  • Broad Portfolio: Despite environmental focus mentioned in some sources, actual grant distribution shows support across arts, education, international development, and historic preservation
  • Family Governance: The foundation is run by multiple members of the O'Neill family, suggesting grant decisions reflect family values and interests
  • Significant Capacity: With $155.7 million in assets and $5.3 million in annual giving, the foundation has substantial resources but directs them through closed channels
  • Not a Target for Cold Outreach: Organizations should not invest time attempting to reach this foundation without an introduction or existing relationship with trustees

References

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