Orange County nonprofits looking to expand their reach into the community can tap a $10 million grant program from the Samueli Foundation.
The new Breakaway and Build OC Funds were created after a project commissioned by the Samueli Foundation showed how much support is needed to help nonprofits in Orange County.
The report, called the Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment, provided “an unvarnished, sobering window into the financial fragility of Orange County’s nonprofit sector,” said Lindsey Spindle, president of the Samueli Family Philanthropies.
The report found that many nonprofits are facing “onerous application processes to access funds and heavy restrictions over the use of them.”
This leaves nonprofit leaders with impossible choices, Spindle said. “We felt compelled to do something in response to what we learned from the OCNNA, and are thrilled to open these new, easy-to-access funding opportunities.”
Here’s a look at each of the grant programs:
The $5 million Breakaway Fund is aimed at supporting new ideas, upgrading infrastructure and technology and helping nonprofits retain staff. Both emerging and established nonprofits can apply with grant awards ranging from $50,000-$100,000.
The $5 million Build OC Fund will support capital projects, with grants up to $1 million.
The Samueli Foundation is also providing another $5 million over five years to support a separate grant program called Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator. Run by the Bridgespan Group, this scholarship program will help with coaching and leadership development for 100 nonprofit executive teams.
Nonprofits can apply using the online application forms at samueli.org. There are separate forms for each funding opportunity:
— Nonprofits submit up to two applications for the Breakaway Fund ($50,000-$100,000 each). The deadline to apply is Friday, June 13.
—It’s one application for the Build OC Fund (up to $1 million). The deadline is Friday, June 27.
The LFI and Leadership Accelerator program interest form is also at at samueli.org.
Recipients will be announced by October with payment coming before Dec. 31.
Mission Viejo getting new grocery store
Wholesome Choice Market is coming to the long-shuttered Orchard Supply Hardware in Mission Viejo.
The company paid $11.63 million for the shopping center at 24011-24031 Marguerite Parkway.
Hanley Investment Group represented the seller, identified as an investment company based in Denver. The buyer, described by Hanley as “an Orange County-based regional grocery store operator,” was represented by Walseth Investment Co. in Newport Beach.
The LLC behind the grocer was identified through public documents.
“As the user of the space, our buyer was in a unique position to acquire the property and allow the seller the ability to monetize the vacant Lowe’s space. A ’win-win‘ for both parties …” said Michael Walseth, president at Walseth Investment.
Wholesome Choice, with a location on Culver Drive in Irvine, specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. A store slogan boasts “it’s all about choice” above its produce section.
The store specializes in prepared food, hot and cold, which gets high marks from shoppers.
The shopping center that Wholesome Choice will anchor dates to 1973. It got a remodel in 2016. The 37,118-square-foot vacant OSH gobbles up most (72%) of the space, which is also home to A Cut Above, Little Caesars and Leslie’s Pool Supplies.
Hanley noted that Little Caesars and Leslie’s Pool Supplies have been tenants at the center for 31 and 34 years, respectively.
Gelato shop opens near UC Irvine
Gelatissimo is open at University Center in Irvine.
The store, which replaced the sushi handroll concept Temakira, sells freshly made gelato (the Italian version of ice cream) with seasonal ingredients and toppings.
It’s the second ice cream shop for Rey and Sarah Maninang, who also have a Gelatissimo on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. They will host a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration at 4 p.m. on Friday (May 2) at the Irvine store.
Also see: Irvine’s Monaco Italian Kitchen reveals menu, grand opening date
The Australian company, which franchises its concept worldwide, sells quirky flavors in addition to more traditional combinations. Those flavors include Chunky New York Cheesecake, Decadent Cookie Dough, Sticky Date Pudding, Balboa Choc Banana, Chilli Chocolate, Coconut sorbet and more.
Address: 4237 Campus Drive, Suite B164; phone: 949-617-5300
On Balboa: 304 Marine Ave.
AutoCrib founder Pixley retiring
Stephen Pixley, founder of AutoCrib in Tustin, is retiring from the business he founded in 1994.
Pixley, an industry veteran who also launched Machine Tool Supply with partner Bob Moore in Costa Mesa, saw a problem in industrial shops that he could solve: supply chain control.
Using knowledge from his years running Machine Tool Supply, he created AutoCrib, a system that stores and tracks inventory for myriad businesses stretching from small machine shops to the military.
AutoCrib, with its corporate offices at at 2882 Dow Ave., was such a success, Snap-on bought the company in 2020 for $36 million.
On the move
Steven Grossman is the new executive medical director at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. Specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, he previously was at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Keck School of Medicine, where was deputy director for Cancer Services and physician-in-chief. Hoag is spending $1 billion to expand its Irvine hospital and grows its cancer research, treatment and prevention programs.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.