Grant-making - Oak Foundation

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:10

Oak Foundation provides multi-year grants to not-for-profits that aim to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live.

Source: https://oakfnd.org/grant-making/

Funding Details

Funder

Oak Foundation

Funding Goal

To make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place by providing multi-year grants to not-for-profit organizations across ten programme areas including environment, climate, housing, human rights, and more.

Funding Amount

USD 25,000 to USD 10 million per grant; average grant is approximately USD 900,000. Over 300 grants awarded annually. (25.000 € – 10.000.000 €)

How to Apply

Oak Foundation primarily operates on an invitation-only basis with three entry points: (1) Letters of Enquiry — unsolicited requests from organizations not previously invited, submitted through their website; (2) Requests for Proposals — occasional competitive calls posted on their website; (3) Direct invitation by programme officers. The grant process takes approximately 7-13 months across six stages from initial idea exchange through payment notification. The foundation emphasizes collaborative proposal development.

Target Region

Global (with specific programme focus areas in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Denmark/Greenland/Faroe Islands)

Contact

Oak Foundation Denmark: oakfnd.dk for applications. General enquiries via Letter of Enquiry on oakfnd.org.

Last Checked

2026-03-11 21:46

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Organization must be a registered not-for-profit / nonprofit
• Project must align with one of Oak's ten programme areas (Environment, Global Climate Initiatives, etc.)

Required Documents

• Submit a Letter of Enquiry through Oak's website demonstrating alignment with Oak's values and programme strategy

Constraints

• Individuals, religious organizations (for religious purposes), political activities, and scholarship programs are not eligible
• Oak generally funds no more than 50% of a project budget or 20% of an organizational budget
• Minimum grant amount is USD 25,000 (with exceptions)
• Expect a 7-13 month timeline from initial contact to payment notification

Summary

Oak Foundation is a major international family foundation that distributes over 300 grants annually, averaging USD 900,000 each, with awards ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 10 million. Most grants are multi-year commitments to nonprofit organizations worldwide. The foundation operates across ten programme areas: Environment, Global Climate Initiatives, Housing and Homelessness, Issues Affecting Women, International Human Rights, Learning Differences, Oak Foundation Denmark, Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Special Interest, and Zimbabwe. The Environment Programme focuses on three sub-areas: Marine Food Systems and Livelihoods (supporting small-scale fisheries, coastal communities, and marine ecosystem health in Africa, Asia, and Latin America), Nature and People (wildlife protection and coexistence models), and Regenerative Landscapes. The Global Climate Initiatives Programme, established in 2025, addresses clean energy, plastic waste reduction, and sustainable food systems globally. It specifically backs solutions that reduce plastic waste and pollution by promoting safer, cleaner, and healthier alternatives. Oak Foundation primarily operates on an invitation-only basis, but accepts unsolicited Letters of Enquiry from organizations that demonstrate alignment with Oak's values. The complete grant process takes approximately 7-13 months. The foundation generally does not fund more than 50% of a project budget or 20% of an organizational budget. Individuals, religious organizations (for religious purposes), political activities, and scholarship programs are ineligible.

Historical Context

Oak Foundation distributes over 300 grants annually. The Global Climate Initiatives Programme was established in 2025. The Environment Programme has long-standing partnerships, including with Oceana since 2001. Oak Foundation Denmark is a separate programme focused on Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

Sources

• https://oakfnd.org/grant-making/
• https://oakfnd.org/programmes/
• https://oakfnd.org/environment/
• https://oakfnd.org/global-climate-initiatives/
• https://oakfnd.org/oak-foundation-denmark/

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