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Wjo Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.8M

Wjo Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,210,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $750,000
  • Median Grant: $18,600 - $19,000
  • Geographic Focus: National
  • Total Assets: $27.8 million

Contact Details

Address: 12655 Beatrice Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Phone: 310-448-6800

Note: The foundation does not have a website or public email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Wjo Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2014 and based in Los Angeles, California. Led by President Scott O'Neil (former CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils) and Secretary Brittany O'Neil, the foundation maintains assets of approximately $27.8 million and distributed $1.21 million in grants during 2023. The foundation is classified as a history museum under IRS code A54, though its grantmaking extends across multiple sectors including education, youth development, healthcare, and community organizations. The foundation operates through investment income rather than soliciting contributions and takes a highly selective approach to grantmaking, making contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has demonstrated variable giving patterns, with distributions ranging from $381,000 in 2022 to $1.82 million in 2021, suggesting discretionary grantmaking based on board priorities and available resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wjo Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined categories. Instead, it provides general operating support grants on a discretionary basis to preselected organizations.

Grant Range: $5,000 - $750,000 (with a significant concentration in the $5,000 - $50,000 range)

Median Grant: Approximately $18,600 - $19,000

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Based on available 990-PF filings, the foundation has supported organizations in the following areas:

  • Youth Development and Education: Including urban youth programs and educational initiatives
  • Community Development: Supporting organizations working on community-based solutions
  • Arts and Culture: Particularly Persian/Iranian cultural preservation
  • Healthcare and Human Services: General support to health-related organizations
  • Policy and Social Innovation: Supporting organizations working on systemic solutions

Notable 2023 Grants:

  • Stand Together Trust (Baltimore, MD): $750,000
  • Farhang Foundation (Los Angeles, CA): $25,000
  • SquashBusters Inc. (Roxbury Crossing, MA): $25,000
  • Various smaller grants: $5,000 - $50,000

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions, but their pattern suggests:

  • Does not fund individuals
  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Does not fund organizations without pre-existing relationships or trustee connections

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Scott O'Neil - President/Director (no compensation): Former CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, leading the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils from 2013-2021. Currently CEO of LIV Golf as of January 2025. Known for his business acumen and "trust the process" philosophy during the 76ers' rebuilding years.

  • Brittany O'Neil - Secretary/Director (Compensation: $346,800 in 2023): Works 28 hours per week for the foundation, suggesting active operational management.

  • Eugene Kumamoto - CFO/Director (no compensation): Oversees the foundation's financial management and investment portfolio.

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure typical of family foundations, with leadership compensation limited to the Secretary role, which appears to handle day-to-day operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Wjo Foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors to organizations with which trustees have pre-existing relationships or knowledge.

Organizations cannot submit proposals or applications through any formal channel. All grants are initiated by the foundation's leadership based on their strategic priorities and personal connections to the causes and organizations they support.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept applications, there are no traditional "success factors" for grant seekers. However, the grant pattern reveals insights into their decision-making:

Grantmaking Patterns:

  • The foundation makes a small number of strategic grants rather than numerous small gifts
  • The largest grant in 2023 ($750,000 to Stand Together Trust) represented over 60% of total giving, suggesting willingness to make significant commitments to aligned organizations
  • Smaller grants ($5,000 - $50,000) appear to support a diverse range of organizations, possibly reflecting personal interests of trustees
  • The foundation has supported organizations across multiple states, including California, Maryland, and Massachusetts

Organizational Characteristics of Recipients:

  • Organizations working on innovative, bottom-up solutions to community challenges
  • Youth-focused programs with measurable impact (e.g., SquashBusters' commitment model)
  • Cultural organizations preserving specific heritage (e.g., Farhang Foundation's Iranian cultural focus)
  • Organizations aligned with principles-based management and systemic change (Stand Together network)

Connection to Leadership Interests:

  • Scott O'Neil's background in sports management and youth development may influence grants to youth athletic programs
  • Support for Stand Together Trust aligns with principles-based management philosophy O'Neil practiced during his 76ers tenure
  • Geographic diversity suggests trustees maintain relationships across multiple regions through their professional networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods. They identify and select organizations proactively.
  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: All funding decisions appear to stem from personal knowledge and trustee connections rather than competitive processes.
  • Strategic and Discretionary: The foundation makes both large strategic grants and smaller discretionary gifts, with significant year-to-year variation in total giving.
  • Diverse Geographic Reach: While based in Los Angeles, the foundation funds nationally, suggesting trustees have wide-ranging professional and personal networks.
  • Focus on Innovation and Systems Change: Large grants to organizations like Stand Together Trust suggest interest in systemic solutions and innovative approaches rather than traditional service delivery.
  • Consider Indirect Pathways: Organizations seeking funding might benefit from building relationships within the Stand Together network or other organizations in the foundation's portfolio, as these may provide indirect visibility.
  • Board Connections Matter Most: With Scott O'Neil's background in professional sports management and business leadership, organizations in his professional orbit may have better prospects for consideration.

References

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