Oak Foundation Grant Program

The Oak Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that provides grants to not-for-profit organizations worldwide with the goal of advancing a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. The foundation operates through multiple program areas, each with its own strategic priorities, funding criteria, and geographic focus. Its grant-making approach emphasizes strong due diligence, including financial reviews, in-depth discussions, and site visits, ensuring that grantee organizations demonstrate sound governance, operational capacity, and strategic alignment with Oak’s mission. The foundation awards more than 300 grants annually, with most grants structured as multi-year commitments to support long-term impact. The primary purpose of Oak Foundation’s grant-making is to support initiatives that address systemic challenges, promote sustainability, and strengthen civil society. The foundation funds both core support, which provides flexible general operating funding, and project-based grants tied to specific initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to request full project costs, including overhead expenses, particularly for project grants. Oak emphasizes funding efforts that tackle root causes, demonstrate scalability or replicability, incorporate long-term sustainability planning, and engage communities meaningfully in program design and execution. Funding amounts vary significantly, with grants typically ranging from 25000 USD to 10000000 USD, and an average award size of approximately 900000 USD. Oak generally limits its funding contribution to no more than 50 percent of a project’s total budget or 20 percent of an organization’s overall budget, although exceptions may be considered through discussion with program officers. The foundation does not support individuals, scholarships, religious activities for religious purposes, political campaigns, or most grants below 25000 USD except in special circumstances. Eligibility is restricted to not-for-profit organizations that align closely with Oak’s programmatic priorities. Organizations must demonstrate strong financial management, organizational capacity, and alignment with the foundation’s values, including collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement. While the foundation operates globally, eligibility is determined based on alignment with specific program strategies rather than geographic limitations alone. Discretionary grants may also be issued at the initiative of trustees or staff, but these are separate from the standard application process. The application process is invitation-based and operates on a rolling basis throughout the year. Organizations may enter the process through a direct invitation from a program officer or by submitting an unsolicited letter of enquiry. Only organizations that demonstrate strong alignment and where funding is available will be invited to submit a full application. The process begins with an idea exchange and initial screening, followed by a concept note stage, application development, review, and final decision-making. The application timeline is structured but flexible, typically spanning several months. The idea exchange and initial screening phase lasts approximately one month, followed by a concept note stage of about one month. Application development typically takes two months and involves close collaboration with program staff. The formal review process lasts approximately two to four months, followed by a recommendation and decision phase of one to two months. Notification and payment occur within one to two months after approval. At any stage, applications may be declined, and invitation to apply does not guarantee funding. Evaluation criteria focus on alignment with Oak’s strategic priorities, organizational strength, financial management, sustainability planning, and potential for long-term impact. The foundation values initiatives that foster collaboration, leverage co-funding, and demonstrate measurable progress. While specific contact details are not publicly listed for general inquiries, applicants interact closely with assigned program officers throughout the process. The rolling nature of funding and absence of fixed deadlines allow for continuous engagement, but also require strong alignment and readiness from applicants to advance through each stage.

Ensure strong alignment with program priorities demonstrate sustainability and include full project costs including overhead