Breakaway Fund Grant

The Breakaway Fund, initiated by the Samueli Foundation, aims to empower nonprofits in Orange County by providing unrestricted funding between $50,000 and $100,000. This innovative financial support is designed to overcome barriers in staffing, leadership development, and infrastructure enhancement. By focusing on key areas such as talent, systems, and expertise, the fund facilitates growth and collaboration among organizations, ensuring a thriving community that prioritizes well-being and opportunity for all residents.

A breakaway is one of the most electrifying moments in hockey. It’s a turning point, the moment. when a player or individual charges ahead, unimpeded, nothing but opportunity between them and the goal. With the Breakaway Fund, we’re bringing that same momentum of possibility to our local community.
This fund provides unrestricted, easy-to-access capital that helps you and your team barrel past the usual obstacles, giving you the best possible advantage for achieving your goals. No red tape. No onerous applications. Just the support you need, when you need it most.
Grant Categories
According to our Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment, nonprofits serving Orange County face significant challenges in securing unrestricted funds to support staffing and leadership development, enhance their infrastructure, and engage in meaningful inter-organizational collaboration. The Breakaway Fund will provide one year grant awards of $50,000-$100,000 for projects in the following categories:
Talent and LeadershipEvery professional hockey team invests in coaches, trainers, nutritionists and other people who help their players thrive. Why should nonprofit organizations go without the same types of support? We will consider requests that cover investments in human capital to improve employee recruitment, professional development, organizational culture, and retention other than personnel salaries.Examples include:Professional development classes, executive coaching, and conference registration feesEmployee perks or discounts (lunches)Systems and "Stuff"Hockey players rely on having abundant equipment including skates, sticks, pads, helmets, and mouth guards. Their coaches use sophisticated technology to assess game play and plan team logistics. Nonprofits also need to purchase new equipment to support their missions. We will consider requests that cover capital expenses or physical assets that improve your organization’s ability to deliver its mission.Examples include:Technology upgrades (hardware or software)Facility or equipment upgradesExpertiseBehind every great team are experts that help with complex legal issues, human resources, financial planning, and other work that requires specific contracted expertise. We will consider requests that cover third party technical assistance to augment your current team with the right experts at the right time.Examples include:Specialized legal supportAccounting assistance"Season Ticket"Not everything you dream of fits into neat boxes. If you have a unique funding request that falls outside of the above categories, please describe your request and we will consider it.
Selection Criteria
Eligible projects will be selected for funding based on the following criteria:
Organization: The organization helps to advance well-being and opportunity for all individuals and families living in Orange CountyProject: The proposed activities are realistic and feasible and will enable the organization to better deliver its missionFunding: “Right resources” for the project (would allow the organization to cover 100% of the requested expense)

Eligibility

To be considered for the Breakaway Fund, your organization:Must be able to receive charitable dollarsMust serve communities in Orange County, CaliforniaOrganizations do not need to be physically located in Orange County, but they must demonstrate that they are actively serving Orange County communities.Must be aligned with the Samueli Foundation's mission and valuesMust submit the application request through the Samueli Foundation portalMust be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not classified as a private foundation or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) status and provides written authorization confirming its willingness to act as the fiscal sponsor, or fall into one of the following categories:Government entity (non-501(c)(3)): U.S. federal agencies territories and commonwealths, state agencies and departments and political subdivisions (including cities, counties, municipal agencies).School: All K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges, or universities. Institutions must have a NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) number or 501c3 tax status.Church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and clothing closets. Organizations can submit up to two applications (for different projects).

Ineligibility

The following organizations are not eligible for funding:We do not provide funding to any organization that discriminates based on race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status. This also includes organizations that espouse hate and discrimination towards any groupIndividuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistanceInternational organizationsPolitical, labor, or fraternal organizations involved in partisan workThe following are examples of expenses that are generally not eligible:Political or lobbying activitiesFundraising campaigns or eventsProjects not serving Orange County communitiesCapital projects without confirmed or pending site controlEarly-stage capital projects (Build OC prefers shovel-ready or near-completion projects)