Education

MPA, Bernard M. Baruch City University of New York

MA, Political Science, Brooklyn College City University of New York

BA, Political Science, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Biography

A native New Yorker and lifelong advocate for social justice and economic mobility within Black communities, Kimberly O'Neil, is "here to shake tables and ignite the power within communities."  

Kimberly, the founder and chief executive officer of Giving Blueprint, is an award-winning community capacity builder, professor, philanthropic strategist, and licensed nonprofit consultant who has dedicated her career to serving and helping develop, empower, and positively transform communities.  

Having served as the youngest Black female city manager in the United States — and as a veteran senior government and nonprofit executive — she has led activities that have generated more than $22 million for community initiatives, negotiated major urban economic development projects, and used her voice to impact public policy decisions while lobbying in New York City and on Capitol Hill.  

Driven and inspired by her leadership, Giving Blueprint focuses on economic and social mobility in Black communities by increasing community and business development opportunities through philanthropy, policy and advocacy, and education. Kimberly leads Cause Studio through Giving Blueprint, an education and professional development initiative for startup nonprofit organizations. Kimberly has trained over 5,000 nonprofit leaders and incubated 15 nonprofit startup organizations. Since the pandemic, Kimberly's relationships have generated over $2 million for nonprofit and social impact initiatives benefiting Black communities and organizations.

Kimberly has been recognized by the City of Dallas Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House Steering Committee as a Visionary Award Honorable Mention, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas as a Social Innovator, Dallas Business Journal as a Minority Business Leader, National Association of Women Business Owners – DFW Chapter as an Entrepreneurial Spirit Mentor, and Plano Magazine in their annual Girl Boss edition.  

Kimberly was previously appointed by the City of Plano (TX) Mayor and Council to the Community Relations Commission, where she served as chair and made recommendations on how to distribute millions in funding to nonprofit organizations. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a founding member of Heritage Giving Fund – one of the first Black giving circles in Texas founded by Black women to support Black women and girls.

With over 20 years of experience as an educator, she is one of the inaugural adjunct professors of practice for the John Lewis Public Administration Program at Tulane University, where she facilitates graduate courses in public policy and nonprofit management.  

As an authority in the nonprofit space, Kimberly frequently speaks publicly, teaching organizations to cultivate long-standing relationships and partnerships to support communities.