The Oak Foundation USA
The Oak Foundation USA is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Its grantmaking supports not-for-profit organisations whose work aligns with Oak’s aim of contributing to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world.
The Oak Foundation USA at a glance
In short: The Oak Foundation USA gave $6.9M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $985K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,892,320
- -7.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -22.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $984,617
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $390,000
- Total assets
- $10,775,305
- -37.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (67% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Oak Foundation USA
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
Oak accepts unsolicited requests through its online letter-of-enquiry process. It also invites organisations to apply directly. An organisation submitting an enquiry should first review the programme most closely aligned with its work. Oak says it will invite a formal application only if it finds alignment with its priorities and available budget; a formal application may be followed by due diligence, including staff discussions, financial review, and site visits where appropriate. Oak does not support individuals, undergraduate or postgraduate scholarships or tuition assistance, religious organisations for religious purposes, or election campaigns. Except in special circumstances or in Zimbabwe, it generally does not provide programme grants under USD 25,000. Oak says it approves only a few online enquiries each year, allocates programme budgets approximately a year in advance, and will respond within two months if it needs further information or invites a formal proposal.
- Contact
Application contact: Jill Bernabo
Mailing address: 55 Vilcom Center Drive Suite 340, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 951-0585
Website: https://www.oakfnd.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Oak Foundation USA
International Human Rights Grant Programme
The Oak Foundation USA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Issues Affecting Women Grant Programme
The Oak Foundation USA
Amount
More than US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Oak Foundation - Housing and Homelessness Grant Program
The Oak Foundation USA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Oak Foundation USA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hawaii Community Foundation ($4.6M). Together the top 7 received $6.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 22 grants of 66 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing shows grant dollars going to recipients in Hawaii (67%), Massachusetts (15%), Michigan (6%), California (5%), and New York (4%). One listed grant was to Student U in North Carolina; the reported state shares do not include a percentage for North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Oak Foundation USA gives
- Giving grew 67% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2022) to $30.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $6.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Community Foundation Honolulu, HI | To support hcf's vision of an equitable and vibrant Hawaii, where all island communities thrive. | $4,598,750 |
| Cast Inc Lynnfield, MA | To provide core support to cast in its work to transform education design and practice in the us. | $500,000 |
| Upstream USA Inc Boston, MA | To provide core support to upstream us to transform contraceptive care in health centers in the us. | $500,000 |
| The Army of Survivors Inc Lansing, MI | To provide core support to raise awareness, accountability, and transparency on the issue of sexual violence against athletes in the united states and internationally. | $390,000 |
| New Teacher Center Santa Cruz, CA | To provide support to the new teacher center, based in California, to pilot innovative professional teaching that equips teachers and staff to support students with learning differences. | $353,570 |
| Proteus Fund New York, NY | To provide core support to puentes, a communications hub in latin America. | $300,000 |
| Student U Durham, NC | To help students and families in durham thrive through ongoing academic and personal support. | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Oak Foundation USA?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Figures are from the foundation’s IRS filings. Grant sums and counts are reported separately from revenue and expenses.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,775,305 | $375,053 | $1,748,378 | $6,892,320 | 7 | $6,922,575 | $345,164 | $638,287 |
| 2024 | $17,359,462 | $827,919 | $71,768 | $7,423,074 | 9 | $7,452,050 | $799,283 | $1,019,129 |
| 2023 | $24,037,557 | $1,699,470 | $32,905,066 | $12,492,180 | 15 | $13,349,513 | $891,964 | $1,384,683 |
| 2022 | $35,737,118 | $32,902,551 | $7,200,905 | $4,138,758 | 18 | $7,167,567 | $139,008 | $742,621 |
| 2021 | $10,038,273 | $2,231,148 | $12,573,897 | $10,262,633 | 17 | $12,366,822 | — | $693,257 |
| 2020 | $20,392,183 | $12,538,232 | $32,669,913 | $30,577,690 | 41 | — | $265,440 | $1,291,076 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Oak Foundation USA reported a distributable amount of $638K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Oak Foundation’s mission is to contribute to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. It supports registered not-for-profit organisations, including organisations that re-grant to not-for-profits globally. Its website identifies programmes including Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Housing and Homelessness, and International Human Rights.
The 2025 filing shows support for work in several areas. For example, CAST describes its mission as designing equitable, inclusive learning experiences through its Universal Design for Learning framework. Upstream USA says its mission is to make equitable, patient-centered contraceptive care basic healthcare. The Army of Survivors describes its work as bringing awareness, accountability, and transparency to sexual violence against athletes. These are grantee missions, not Oak Foundation’s stated mission.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing reports 7 grants totaling $6,892,320. Grant amounts ranged from $250,000 to $4,598,750, with a median of $390,000. Oak Foundation’s grantmaking webpage reports more than 300 grants per year and an average award of USD 900,000; it says most awards are multi-year.
The largest 2025 award was $4,598,750 to Hawaii Community Foundation to support its vision of an equitable and vibrant Hawaii where island communities thrive. Other grants included $500,000 each to CAST and Upstream USA; $390,000 to The Army of Survivors; $353,570 to New Teacher Center; $300,000 to Proteus Fund for support to Puentes, a communications hub in Latin America; and $250,000 to Student U to help students and families in Durham thrive through academic and personal support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Caroline Turner as president, treasurer, and trustee; Kristian Parker and Natalie Parker as trustees; and James Zha as secretary.
The Oak Foundation USA is led by Caroline Turner, President, Treasurer & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caroline Turner
President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$96K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Kristian Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Natalie Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Zha
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Heather Graham (2020–2024) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $55K, to Heather Graham (Vice President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Oak Foundation USA
How much does The Oak Foundation USA give each year?
The Oak Foundation USA gave $6.9M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7.4M across 9 grants.
What is The Oak Foundation USA's typical grant size?
The Oak Foundation USA's median grant in 2025 was $390,000, and its average grant was $984,617, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Oak Foundation USA give grants?
The Oak Foundation USA gives mostly in Hawaii: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (15%) and Michigan (6%).
Does The Oak Foundation USA give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Oak Foundation USA's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Oak Foundation USA's largest grantees?
The Oak Foundation USA's largest 2025 grantees include Hawaii Community Foundation ($4,598,750), Cast Inc ($500,000) and Upstream USA Inc ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Oak Foundation USA?
The Oak Foundation USA reported $10.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $638K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Oak Foundation USA fund?
Oak Foundation’s mission is to contribute to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. It supports registered not-for-profit organisations, including organisations that re-grant to not-for-profits globally. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Oak Foundation USA?
Oak accepts unsolicited requests through its online letter-of-enquiry process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Oak Foundation USA's EIN?
The Oak Foundation USA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3321196. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Oak Foundation USA accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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