How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride.

With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered.

Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.


Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.


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Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.
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Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.
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Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.
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Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Selection Process

All grant applications will be evaluated based on the potential to mutually advance our core value of serving and improving communities, demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing a defined social issue, and create opportunities to reach targeted audiences.


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Applications will be accepted February 15 through March 31, 2025.
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Grantees will be notified by mid-October via email.
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The application window will reopen annually.

Eligible Organizations

Grant support is focused on the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence and is limited to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing with the IRS or the foreign public charity equivalent. Eligible organizations must operate on a not-for-profit basis and must have a mission of benefiting their local community.

To be eligible, an organization must be operated and organized so that it does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or provision of services on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.


Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

  • Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

  • General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

  • Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Exclusions

The Foundation is not able to provide in-kind donations. In addition, funds are not available for the following organizations or purposes:

  • Endowments or naming rights opportunities.
  • Political, labor, or fraternal organizations.
  • Political candidates or campaigns.
  • Faith-based organizations organized for religious purposes.
  • Government/tax-supported entities including schools.
  • Hospitals and medical-related facilities.
  • Individual requests, such as personal scholarships.
  • Team sponsorships or sporting events.
  • Travel for individuals or groups.

We reserve the right to determine whether any organization is ineligible.


Funding Range

We do not limit the request amount and evaluate each request on its own merit. Grant sizes vary depending upon the needs, program proposed by the organization, and available funding.


How to Apply

Start your application.


For donation or sponsorship requests outside of the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation Inc. parameters, please send your written request to: donations@oreillyauto.com.