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Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 34-6516969

The W O'Neil Foundation

A private foundation in Chevy Chase, MD. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 70 grants and $2.5 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Helene O'Neil Shere President the W
PO Box 15888
Chevy Chase, MD 208255888
(301) 656-5848
[email protected]
Form and materials
An application form is not required. Initial approach should be by letter of inquiry outlining the nature of the project, the amount requested and evidence of irc section 501(c)(3) exempt status. If the project coincides with the foundation's interests, a proposal will be requested.
Deadlines
None
Restrictions
The foundation is primarily interested in faith-motivated programs that directly bring basic necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, basic medical care and basic education to those experiencing poverty throughout the world, particularly those needing emergency relief. International assistance grants are made only to u.s.-based charities. The foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals or grants for endowments, capital campaigns, church and school renovations, research, special events, conferences or seminars.

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2025

    $2,491,250

    Grants listed
    70
    Assets, end of year
    $38,657,869

  • Tax year 2024

    $1,837,750

    Grants listed
    56
    Assets, end of year
    $37,995,262

  • Tax year 2023

    $2,501,428

    Grants listed
    62
    Assets, end of year
    $37,950,856

  • Tax year 2022

    $3,039,300

    Grants listed
    64
    Assets, end of year
    $39,321,972

  • Tax year 2021

    $3,061,750

    Grants listed
    56
    Assets, end of year
    $41,543,120

  • Tax year 2020

    $3,006,293

    Grants listed
    66
    Assets, end of year
    $39,908,802

  • Tax year 2019

    $1,796,750

    Grants listed
    34
    Assets, end of year
    $41,036,190

Grants paid in 2025

70 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Catholic Relief ServicesBaltimore, MD

    Program support

    $1,000,000
  2. Catholic Charities USAAlexandria, VA

    Program support

    $100,000
  3. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Washington IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $65,000
  4. Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of New YorkNew York, NY

    Program support

    $60,000
  5. World Central Kitchen IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $50,000
  6. Association of Volunteers in International Service USA IncSilver Spring, MD

    Program support

    $45,000
  7. Friendship PlaceWashington, DC

    Program support

    $45,000
  8. Washington School for GirlsWashington, DC

    Program support

    $45,000
  9. Haitian Health Foundation IncNorwich, CT

    Program support

    $40,000
  10. Jesuit Refugee Service USAWashington, DC

    Program support

    $40,000
  11. Missio CorpNew York, NY

    Program support

    $40,000
  12. Operation Smile IncVirginia BCH, VA

    Program support

    $40,000
  13. Washington Jesuit AcademyWashington, DC

    Program support

    $40,000
  14. Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School of the Archdiocese of Washington IncTakoma Park, MD

    Program support

    $30,000
  15. Red Cloud Indian SchoolPine Ridge, SD

    Program support

    $30,000
  16. Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic ActivitiesWashington, DC

    Program support

    $28,750
  17. Daughters of Charity IpsSouthfield, MI

    Program support

    $26,000
  18. Rostro de Cristo IncBraintree, MA

    Program support

    $26,000
  19. American Jesuits International IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $25,000
  20. AyudaWashington, DC

    Program support

    $25,000
  21. Crossing Thresholds IncWilton, CT

    Program support

    $25,000
  22. Father McKenna Center IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $25,000
  23. Hope for Haiti IncNaples, FL

    Program support

    $25,000
  24. International Catholic Migration Commission IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $25,000
  25. School of Leadership-Afghanistan IncWest Palm BCH, FL

    Program support

    $25,000
  26. Blood Cancer United IncRye Brook, NY

    Patient financial aid program support

    $20,000
  27. Bread for the City IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  28. Bridge Over Troubled Waters IncBoston, MA

    Program support

    $20,000
  29. Capital Area Food Bank IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  30. Catholic Legal Services Archdiocese of MiamiMiramar, FL

    Program support

    $20,000
  31. City Harvest IncBrooklyn, NY

    Program support

    $20,000
  32. Cristo Rey New York High SchoolNew York, NY

    Program support

    $20,000
  33. DC Central KitchenWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  34. Depaul USA IncChicago, IL

    Program support

    $20,000
  35. Diocese of SavannahSavannah, GA

    Program support

    $20,000
  36. Marys Center for Maternal and Child Care IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  37. Miriams KitchenWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  38. National Center for Children and FamiliesBethesda, MD

    Program support

    $20,000
  39. San Miguel School DCWashington, DC

    Program support

    $20,000
  40. St Johns Bread & Life Program IncBrooklyn, NY

    Program support

    $20,000
  41. The Young Center for Immigrant Childrens RightsChicago, IL

    Program support

    $20,000
  42. Together We BakeAlexandria, VA

    Program support

    $20,000
  43. USA East Province of the Society of Jesus IncNew York, NY

    Program support

    $20,000
  44. Medecins San Frontieres USA IncNew York, NY

    Program support

    $15,000
  45. Xavier Mission IncNew York, NY

    Program support

    $15,000
  46. Catholic Charities of WyomingCheyenne, WY

    Program support

    $10,000
  47. Community Service Associates IncMount Vernon, NY

    Program support

    $10,000
  48. Human Options IncIrvine, CA

    Program support

    $10,000
  49. My Sisters Place IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $10,000
  50. President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeBoston, MA

    Diabetes research

    $10,000
  51. School Sisters of St FrancisMilwaukee, WI

    Program support

    $10,000
  52. Sisters of the Visitation of GeorgetownWashington, DC

    Program support

    $10,000
  53. The Catholic Student Center at University of MarylandCollege Park, MD

    Program support

    $10,000
  54. Togo Mission IncGaithersburg, MD

    Program support

    $10,000
  55. Washington Montessori Association IncNew Preston, CT

    Program support

    $10,000
  56. Pine Street InnBoston, MA

    Program support

    $9,000
  57. American Jewish Joint Distribution CommitteeNew York, NY

    Humanitarian relief program support

    $5,000
  58. Bowery Residents Committee IncNew York, NY

    Program support

    $5,000
  59. Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $5,000
  60. House of Hope Community Development CorporationWarwick, RI

    Program support

    $5,000
  61. Jubilee Jobs IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $5,000
  62. Julias Wings Foundation IncSherman, CT

    Program support

    $5,000
  63. Negotiation WorksWashington, DC

    Program support

    $5,000
  64. Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut IncDanbury, CT

    Program support

    $5,000
  65. St Anselms Abbey School IncWashington, DC

    Program support

    $5,000
  66. Stronghearts Native Helpline IncEagan, MN

    Program support

    $5,000
  67. The Starfish Foundation IncWest Chester, PA

    Program support

    $5,000
  68. Watts of LoveDowners Grove, IL

    Program support

    $5,000
  69. St Rose of Lima Catholic ChurchGaithersburg, MD

    Program support

    $4,000
  70. National Center for Family PhilanthropyWashington, DC

    Program support

    $2,500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. International aid9 grants $240,00026% of the total
  2. Education6 grants $145,00016% of the total
  3. Human services10 grants $139,00015% of the total
  4. Religion2 grants $126,00014% of the total
  5. Food and agriculture6 grants $115,00013% of the total
  6. Housing and shelter4 grants $85,0009% of the total
  7. 4 other causes6 grants $57,5006% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Maryland7 grants $1,119,000
  2. District of Columbia24 grants $576,250
  3. New York12 grants $250,000
  4. Virginia3 grants $160,000
  5. Massachusetts5 grants $90,000
  6. Connecticut5 grants $85,000
  7. Florida2 grants $45,000
  8. Illinois3 grants $45,000
  9. South Dakota1 grant $30,000
  10. Michigan1 grant $26,000

Officers, directors and trustees

7 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Helene O'Neil ShereCHAIR, PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE Hours 38Pay $205,068
  • Jane O'Neil WiederVICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER, TRUSTEE Hours 7Pay $0
  • Molly HerreraVICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER Hours 38Pay $99,204
  • Ann O'Neil GradowskiVICE CHAIR, ASSIST. SECRETARY, TRUSTEE Hours 5Pay $0
  • Mary ReganSECRETARY, TRUSTEE Hours 5Pay $0
  • John O'NeilTRUSTEE Hours 1Pay $0
  • Jane ReganTRUSTEE Hours 1Pay $0

The return

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