The Oxford Area Foundation
The Oxford Area Foundation is a private foundation based in Oxford, Pennsylvania. It supports nonprofit organizations offering services and programs in the Oxford area, and its stated mission includes protecting and restoring natural areas and waterways for public benefit.
The Oxford Area Foundation at a glance
In short: The Oxford Area Foundation gave $432K across 28 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 4% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $432,155
- -9.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,434
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $24,804,295
- -0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Oxford Area Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it uses an invitation-only funding model. Contact Chelsea Hughes, as named in the 2024 filing. Grant reports are required before consideration for additional funding.
- Contact
Application contact: Chelsea Hughes
Mailing address: Po Box341, Oxford, PA 19363
Phone: (610) 932-4627
Website: https://oxfordareafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Oxford Area Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Oxford Mainstreet Inc ($101K). Together the top 10 received $317K.
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 147 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its nonprofit funding as supporting services and programs in the Oxford, Pennsylvania, area. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 2% to recipients in Delaware.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Oxford Area Foundation open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 28 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $500; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $10K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 29% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $432K (2024) to $809K (2022). In 2024 it made 28 grants totaling $432K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford Mainstreet Inc Oxford, PA | General Operating Expenses | $101,000 |
| Oaha Oxford, PA | Interim Executive Director's Salary | $35,000 |
| Oxford Neighborhood Services Center Oxford, PA | Employ an Administrative Assistant | $30,000 |
| New London Counseling Center Lincoln University, PA | Subsidized Therapy Cost Program - $30,000 | $27,500 |
| Good Neighbors Home Repair Kennett Square, PA | Program or Operational Expenses | $25,200 |
| Silo Oxford, PA | General Operating Expenses | $25,000 |
| Stroud Water Research Center Avondale, PA | Unrestricted Contribution | $25,000 |
| Lord's House of Prayer Lancaster, PA | Unrestricted Contribution | $20,000 |
| LCH Health and Community Oxford, PA | Unrestricted Contribution | $15,000 |
| Lighthouse Youth Center Oxford, PA | Operartional Expenses $15,000 | $13,660 |
Ready to take the next step with The Oxford Area Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24,804,295 | $869,997 | $1,025,739 | $432,155 | 28 | $786,430 | $680,524 | $776,446 |
| 2023 | $24,924,432 | $354,220 | $1,135,793 | $478,562 | 30 | $855,818 | $108,545 | $739,016 |
| 2022 | $24,348,828 | $2,688,113 | $1,373,845 | $809,150 | 28 | $1,117,899 | $371,694 | $793,161 |
| 2021 | $24,337,071 | $1,120,962 | $824,399 | $606,069 | 26 | $728,143 | $1,023,435 | $1,145,870 |
| 2020 | $21,394,656 | $7,330,189 | $778,470 | $466,215 | 35 | — | $489,449 | $699,924 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Oxford Area Foundation reported a distributable amount of $776K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways for public benefit, and to educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.” It also provides funding to nonprofit organizations offering services and programs in the Oxford, Pennsylvania, area.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in community revitalization, mental health, freshwater research and education, meal delivery, firefighting, library services, transitional housing, and education. These descriptions reflect the grantees’ own stated missions. For example, Oxford Mainstreet Inc. describes its mission as supporting and revitalizing downtown Oxford, while New London Counseling Center says it provides accessible and affordable mental health services. Stroud Water Research Center describes work advancing knowledge of stream and river ecosystems and promoting public understanding of freshwater ecology.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 28 grants totaling $432,155. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $101,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
The largest 2024 grant was $101,000 to Oxford Mainstreet Inc. for general operating expenses. Other notable grants included $35,000 to OAHA for an interim executive director’s salary, $30,000 to Oxford Neighborhood Services Center to employ an administrative assistant, $27,500 to New London Counseling Center for a subsidized therapy cost program, and $25,200 to Good Neighbors Home Repair for program or operational expenses. The foundation also awarded $25,000 each to SILO and Stroud Water Research Center.
The website says the foundation transitioned to an invitation-only funding model in 2019 and does not accept unsolicited requests. A grant report must be submitted before an organization can be considered for additional funding. The 2024 filing’s report instructions ask recipients to describe project goals and results, community impact, lessons learned, and actual project finances, including explanations for budget variances of 10% or more. The filing lists no deadlines or restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy Ware Sapp as president, Debra Ware Kline as vice-president, and Philip Sapp as executive director and secretary. It lists Brigham Faria and Matthan Sapp as co-treasurers, Adam Sapp as a board member, and Jared Kline as junior board member.
The Oxford Area Foundation is led by Nancy Ware Sapp, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy Ware Sapp
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Philip Sapp
Executive Director & Secretary
Treasurer → Executive Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $86K (2024)
Adam Sapp
Board Member
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Brigham Faria
Co-Treasurer
Secretary → Co-Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Debra Ware Kline
Vice President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Matthan Sapp
Co-Treasurer
Board Member → Co-Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Jared Kline
Junior Board Member
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Conner Sapp (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly Zuleba (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $86K, to Philip Sapp (Exec Director/Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The Oxford Area Foundation
How much does The Oxford Area Foundation give each year?
The Oxford Area Foundation gave $432K across 28 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $479K across 30 grants.
What is The Oxford Area Foundation's typical grant size?
The Oxford Area Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,434, across 28 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Oxford Area Foundation that year got $500 on average.
Where does The Oxford Area Foundation give grants?
The Oxford Area Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oxford, PA (13 grants) and Kennett Square, PA (3 grants).
Does The Oxford Area Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Oxford Area Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Oxford Area Foundation's largest grantees?
The Oxford Area Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Oxford Mainstreet Inc ($101,000), Oaha ($35,000) and Oxford Neighborhood Services Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Oxford Area Foundation?
The Oxford Area Foundation reported $24.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $786K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $776K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Oxford Area Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways for public benefit, and to educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Oxford Area Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it uses an invitation-only funding model. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Oxford Area Foundation's EIN?
The Oxford Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1060782. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Oxford Area Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Oxford Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Chester County Community Foundation Inc
West Chester, PA
The Chester County Community Foundation funds nonprofits in arts and culture, health, education, and human services, primarily in Chester County but also elsewhere in the U.S. Its 2025 grants had a median of $12,879, though amounts varied widely; capacity-building proposals are accepted through 2026, while general operating applications are closed until January 2027.
Assets
$136.2M
Grants
170
Total Given
$5.2M
Cabot-Kjellerup Foundation
West Grove, PA
The foundation’s stated aim is to support responsible stewardship of natural and human resources, though its grants go to organizations with varied missions. In 2025, it gave $2,500–$394,200, with a median grant of $10,000; all reported grants went to Pennsylvania recipients. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.5M
Grants
15
Total Given
$668K
United Way of Southern Chester County
Kennett Square, PA
United Way of Southern Chester County funds human health and social service programs, including work addressing food security, housing, health access, childcare, transportation, and youth opportunity, for residents of four Southern Chester County school districts. In 2025, its 22 grants ranged from $5,380 to $117,200, with a median of $19,290. The application period is closed for this cycle; the information provided does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
22
Total Given
$648K
United Way of Chester County Inc
Exton, PA
United Way of Chester County funds local nonprofits addressing education, health, financial stability, housing, food insecurity, senior services, and the needs of ALICE households, primarily serving Chester County residents. Recent grants ranged from $7,500 to $70,000, with a median of $20,000; it accepts unsolicited requests through proposal rounds.
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
25
Total Given
$548K
Pocono Mountains United Way
Stroudsburg, PA
Pocono Mountains United Way funds nonprofit programs addressing education, financial mobility, health, and basic needs, prioritizing services for Monroe County, Pennsylvania residents. Recent grants had a median of $18,000 and ranged from $10,000 to $66,258; its 2026–2027 program offered requests of $10,000–$40,000. It invited eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Monroe County to apply through an online process; that cycle’s deadline has passed.
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
13
Total Given
$302K
Wa Speakman Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The WA Speakman Family Foundation supports religious, charitable, scientific, and educational organizations, with 2024 grants listed for education support. It awarded 15 grants totaling $169,500, typically $2,000–$25,000, primarily in Pennsylvania and Delaware. It accepts application letters describing the organization’s purpose and need; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
15
Total Given
$170K
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Oxford Area Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-oxford-area-foundation-morg_f1b01070ddab48b18cc57c31211f1c53
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201060782_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Oxford Area Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-oxford-area-foundation-morg_f1b01070ddab48b18cc57c31211f1c53},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Oxford Area Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Oxford Area Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?