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OAK FOUNDATION USA

Oak Foundation USA

Contact information:

511 Congress Street, Suite 800
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: Not provided.

Oak Philanthropy Ltd
Case Postale 115
58, Avenue Louis Casaï
1216 Cointrin
Geneva Switzerland

Website: http://www.oakfnd.org/

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Project, general operating, core costs, capital needs, technical assistance, collaborative activities.

Description: Funding for the Oak Foundation originally came from an interest in the Duty Free Shoppers business which Foundation President Alan M. Parker helped to build. The Foundation is an international philanthropy focused on global environmental and social justice issues. Areas of special interest include climate change, marine conservation, women's issues, child abuse, human rights, homelessness and learning differences.

The Foundation seeks to fund leadership projects that:

  • Target root causes.
  • Demonstrate solutions that can be adopted by permanent providers and/or by government.
  • Mobilize financial commitment from a range of different sources.
  • Promote collaboration among organizations and funders.
  • Involve the target population in the planning and implementation of the project.
  • Demonstrate good financial and organizational management.

The Oak Foundation is headquartered in Geneva, but it has offices around the world. U.S. offices are in Portland, Maine (environmental focus) and Chapel Hill, North Carolina (learning differences focus). The Foundation sometimes initiates its own projects and/or issues Requests for Proposals.

Sample grants:

  • $700,000 to Witness, Inc. in general support (approved in 2008 for future payment).
  • $150,000 to International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission for general support (approved in 2008 for future payment).
  • $100,000 to World Media Foundation for coverage of climate change and environmental justice (2008).
  • $100,000 to Working Films (Charlotte, NC) (2007).
  • $29,023 to International Center for Journalists (2007).
  • $10,000 to North Carolina Public Radio (2007).
  • $5,000 to National Public Radio in general support (2008).

Fit for public broadcasting: There is a reasonable fit for public media projects that intersect with the Foundation's main interests. Organizations may be more successful if they present projects that leverage collaborations.

Eligibility: The Foundation will not support general fundraising drives or events. It rarely makes grants under $25,000.

Deadline: None.

How to apply: Submit a letter of inquiry sent to the appropriate Foundation office. If in doubt about where to send it, organizations can write to the Geneva office or e-mail info@oakfnd.ch. The Foundation requests that organizations not phone or visit the offices.

Giving range: $25,000 –  $10,000,000

Assets: $228,638,442 (2008)

Total giving: $25,984,595 (2008)