The W O'Neil Foundation
chevy-chase-maryland-346516969?backTo=%2Fsolution-provider-directory%2Fcapital-area-food-bank---washington-d-c-52-1167581%3FbackTo%3D%252Fcapital-tracker%252Ffunders%252Fjohn-c-and-nancy-l-goldsmith-family-foundation-maryland%253FbackTo%253D%25252Fsolution-provider-directory%25252Fcapital-area-food-bank---washington-d-c-52-1167581 type: exa:search title: the w o'neil foundation - ReFED - Capital tracker type: exa:news title: 2025 Cristo Rey Network Impact Report - Issuu type: exa:news title: "William J. And Dorothy K. O\u2019Neill Foundation awards $30,000 grant to\ \ the Children\u2019s Advocacy Center (CAC)" type: exa:news title: "Tri-C Foundation Gives Award to Kathy O\u2019Neill" type: exa:news title: "O\u2019Neal Awarded Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Research Grant | Department\ \ of Genetics" type: exa:news title: '[PDF] Leading Together - GuideStar'
Key facts about The W O'Neil Foundation
- EIN
- 34-6516969
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,837,750
- Grants made (2024)
- 56
- Average grant
- $32,817
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (5 of 56, 2024)
- Total assets
- $37,995,262
- Primary geography
- Maryland (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The W O'Neil Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The W O'Neil Foundation's 56 itemized 2024 grants were Maryland (49%), District of Columbia (24%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (21 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Alexandria, VA (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants). None of its 56 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food Programs" (4 grants) and "Program Support" (3 grants).
Is The W O'Neil Foundation open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 56 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 40% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The W O'Neil Foundation
- How to evaluate The W O'Neil Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The W O'Neil Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.0M
+0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
-26.5% YoY
Grant Count
56
-9.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-18.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The W O'Neil Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary focus areas include:
- Human Services: Support for economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals
- Religious & Faith-Based Services: Emphasis on Christian and Catholic human services organizations
- Emergency Assistance: Basic and emergency aid programs
- Community Support: Free goods distribution and special population support
- International Development: International relations and development initiatives
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$20,000
Average Grant
$40,300
Ready to take the next step with The W O'Neil Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
Alabama, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Major urban areas including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago receive funding.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 56 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $37,995,262
- Total Revenue: $2,422,436
- Total Expenses: $2,378,030
- Net Income: $44,406
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition:
- Investment income and dividends: $1,153,142 (2024)
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total Assets: $40,000,000 (approximately)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,995,262 | $37,950,856 | $39,321,972 |
| Revenue | $2,422,436 | $1,645,390 | $1,294,961 |
| Expenses | $2,378,030 | $3,013,806 | $3,518,809 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,202,498 | $2,829,116 | $3,250,975 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,270,599 | $1,427,608 | $1,133,258 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,011,831 | $1,885,720 | $1,987,875 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
304 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Catholic Relief Services ($850,000), Catholic Charities USA ($75,000), Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington ($65,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES Baltimore, MD | INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAMS | $850,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA Alexandria, VA | EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUNDS AND HOUSING PROGRAMS | $75,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON Washington, DC | ACT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM & EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUNDS | $65,000 |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN Washington, DC | INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC EMERGENCY FOOD & WATER PROGRAMS | $65,000 |
| WASHINGTON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Washington, DC | TEACHER SALARIES & MAKERS SPACE FOR TUITION-FREE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS | $55,000 |
| WASHINGTON JESUIT ACADEMY Washington, DC | MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR TUITION-FREE INNER CITY SCHOOL FOR BOYS | $43,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES COMMUNITY SERVICES New York, NY | IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS | $40,000 |
| HAITIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION Norwich, CT | FOOD PROGRAMS IN JEREMIE, HAITI | $40,000 |
| FRIENDSHIP PLACE Washington, DC | AIMHIRE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | $35,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS New York, NY | EMERGENCY EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FOR TURKEY AND SYRIA | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Helene O'Neil Shere: Chair, President, and Trustee (38 hours/week, $188,025 compensation)
- Jane O'Neil Wieder: Vice President, Treasurer, and Trustee (7 hours/week, no compensation)
- Molly Herrera: Vice President and Senior Program Officer (38 hours/week, $90,000 compensation)
- Ann O'Neil Gradowski: Vice Chair, Assistant Secretary, and Trustee (5 hours/week, no compensation)
- Mary Regan: Secretary and Trustee (5 hours/week, no compensation)
- John O'Neil: Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)
- Ann Regan: Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)
- Jane Regan: Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)
The foundation employs 2 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helene O'Neil Shere | Chair, President, Trustee | 38 | $195,300 |
| Jane O'Neil Wieder | Vice President, Treasurer, Trustee | 7 | — |
| Molly Herrera | Vice President, Senior Program Officer | 38 | $94,500 |
| Ann O'Neil Gradowski | Vice Chair, Assist. Secretary, Trustee | 5 | — |
| Mary Regan | Secretary, Trustee | 5 | — |
| John O'Neil | Trustee | 3 | — |
| Jane Regan | Trustee | 3 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The W O'Neil Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary focus areas include: • **Human Services**: Support for economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals • **Religious & Faith-Based Services**: Emphasis on Christian and Catholic human services organizations • **Emergency Assistance**: Basic and emergency aid programs • **Community Support**: Free goods distribution and special population support • **International Development**: International relations and development initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The W O'Neil Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $1,837,750 • Number of grants (2023): 62 grants • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: $40,300 • Grant range: $4,000–$1,250,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Catholic Relief Services: $850,000 (International Emergency Relief Programs) • Catholic Charities USA: $75,000 (Emergency Assistance Funds and Housing Programs) • World Central Kitchen: $65,000 (International and Domestic Emergency Food & Water Programs)
Where does The W O'Neil Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: Alabama, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Major urban areas including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago receive funding.
What size grants does The W O'Neil Foundation award?
In 2024, The W O'Neil Foundation awarded 56 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The W O'Neil Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The W O'Neil Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The W O'Neil Foundation's EIN?
The W O'Neil Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6516969. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The W O'Neil Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Pet Care Trust
Forest Hill, MD
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
2,829
Total Given
$256K
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Assets
$23.0B
Grants
757
Total Given
$467.3M
The Keith Campbell Foundation
Bethesda, MD
Assets
$420.2M
Grants
688
Total Given
$27.9M
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
Assets
$5.0B
Grants
624
Total Given
$189.6M
Baltimore Community Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Assets
$314.3M
Grants
604
Total Given
$29.3M
Nora Roberts Foundation
Glenn Dale, MD
Assets
$105.4M
Grants
592
Total Given
$7.5M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
More Funders in Maryland
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.