Samueli Foundation Breakaway Fund

The Samueli Foundation's Breakaway Fund is a responsive grantmaking initiative designed to support nonprofit organizations serving Orange County, California. Inspired by the dynamic concept of a "breakaway" in hockey, the fund seeks to deliver unrestricted and easily accessible financial support that empowers organizations to overcome common operational barriers and enhance their capacity for impact. This initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles and supporting nonprofits in achieving their mission with greater agility and confidence. The Breakaway Fund provides one-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to help nonprofits invest in internal capabilities that are often underfunded. The fund is focused on three core areas: Talent and Leadership, Systems and Equipment, and Contracted Expertise. Eligible uses under these categories include professional development and coaching, employee support initiatives, technology and facility upgrades, and specialized professional services such as legal or financial consulting. Additionally, the “Season Ticket” category invites innovative funding requests that may fall outside the predefined scopes. To qualify for funding, organizations must be able to receive charitable dollars, operate within Orange County, California, and align with the Samueli Foundation’s mission and values. Applications must be submitted via the Samueli Foundation’s portal, and funding is not available to individuals, international organizations, or those engaged in partisan political or fraternal work. The Foundation maintains a strict non-discrimination policy, excluding any organizations that promote or engage in discriminatory practices. The selection process emphasizes organizational alignment with community well-being and opportunity, feasibility and realism of the proposed project, and the adequacy of the requested funding to fully cover proposed expenses. The fund aims to ensure that awarded grants make a substantial difference in enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainability of recipient organizations. The application process is designed to be quick and user-friendly, requiring approximately 20 minutes to complete. Applicants begin with an eligibility quiz and then proceed to a simple application form. The Samueli Foundation provides various support resources, including FAQs, application question previews, and step-by-step portal guides. All applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s portal. Applications for the 2025 cycle opened on May 1 and will close on June 13 at 5:00 PM PT. Grant announcements will be made by October 2025, with funding distributed by the end of December. For inquiries or assistance, applicants can contact the Foundation directly at breakaway@samueli.org or call 949-760-4400.