Oak Foundation Had Another Busy Year in 2011, Granting USD 158.32 Million (Up from USD 116.72 Million in 2010) to 312 Organisations Around the Globe
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Annual Report 2o11 Disclaimer The editors have tried to ensure the accuracy of this report but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. The names of all children mentioned in this publication have been changed. LETTER FROM TRUSTEES Oak Foundation had another busy year in 2011, granting USD 158.32 million (up from USD 116.72 million in 2010) to 312 organisations around the globe. In addition to our core work of grant-making, Oak staff have convened or participated in a range of meetings and networks related to our programmes and deepened our collaboration with other funders to leverage resources and move forward shared agendas. In 2011 we also organised our third Global Staff Retreat, commissioned our first Grantee Perception Survey (GPS) and completed multi-year reviews of four of our programmes. All these efforts have helped us assess the past as well as reflect upon the future of the Foundation. We know that many of our partners spent considerable time and energy to complete the GPS, for which we are grateful. The feedback was helpful and constructive. Partners appreciate the expertise and responsiveness of Oak staff, our commitment to controversial, often under-funded areas, our willingness to take risks on new and untested ideas and our ability to make large, multi- year grants. They also made good suggestions about the length and clarity of our application process, the consistency of our communication as the process unfolds and our contributions to the underlying strength and sustainability of the groups we support. The full results of the GPS are posted on our recently improved website, where we will also share our plans for and progress on follow-up. As in previous years, 2011 offered opportunities and challenges in all our programme areas. Our responses to those opportunities and challenges varied across situations and programmes, but always reflected our core commitment to improving the lives of the most disadvantaged. In 2011, we supported efforts to broaden access to services, facilitate positive policy change, build the capacities of low-income families and communities, empower women, promote human rights and strengthen child protection systems. Many of these initiatives are highlighted in this Annual Report. Opportunities have included: funding new and innovative ways to increase affordable housing supplies, despite continued economic problems that have eroded benefits for individuals as well as incentives for public and private investment in affordable housing; shifting our climate change focus to emerging economies such as Brazil, China and India, where some of the most daunting challenges to socially-inclusive and low carbon development exist, but also where some of the most innovative policies are in place for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; participating in the Design for Sustainable Fisheries initiative, which provides a ground-breaking global assessment of fish stocks, advice on priority areas for investment and suggestions for greater collaboration among funders; supporting courageous women human rights defenders in Central America, the North Caucuses and other regions; ending impunity for gross violations of human rights through strategic litigation and improved enforcement of the judgements obtained; allowing students with learning differences to build their confidence through mentoring others and to enter – and succeed – in college; and engaging men and boys in ending the sexual abuse of children by urging greater involvement with children at home, at school and in the community. Every achievement, including those highlighted above, represents the determined – and often heroic – work of one or more of our partners. They have refused to be discouraged by economic downturns or to stand down in the face of hardship, overwhelming odds or powerful opponents to the causes they represent. Their courage, optimism and tireless energy are sources of inspiration to us and to Oak staff around the world. We are proud to provide the moral and financial support that help make their efforts possible and look forward to continued collaboration in 2012. The Trustees of Oak Foundation Kristian Parker – Caroline Turner – Natalie Shipton – Jette Parker – Alan Parker Oak Foundation 1 OAK FOUNDATION The resources of Oak Foundation originated from an interest in the Duty Free Shoppers business which Alan Parker helped to build. Today, the Foundation comprises a group of philanthropic organisations based in various countries around the world. Oak Foundation was formally established in 1998 in Geneva, Switzerland. The first two programmes to get underway were Environment and Child Abuse, followed by four other substantive programmes – Housing and Homelessness, International Human Rights, Issues Affecting Women and Learning Differences. There is also a Special Interests Programme, which funds medical research and a range of other efforts identified by the Trustees that do not fall into the other programme areas, and two national programmes in Denmark and Zimbabwe. Since its establishment over a decade ago, Oak Foundation has made over 2,400 grants to not-for-profit organisations across the globe. While its headquarters remain in Geneva, Oak has a presence in eight other countries, being Belize, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ethiopia, India, the UK, the US and Zimbabwe. Oak Foundation is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees that includes Kristian Parker, Chair; Caroline Turner, Vice Chair; Natalie Shipton, Vice Chair; Jette Parker and Alan Parker. An Advisory Panel also supports the Foundation’s work on a range of grant-making issues. Current members are Kathleen Cravero-Kristoffersson (President of Oak Foundation), Gary Goodman (Secretary for Oak Foundation), William Norris and Julie Sandorf. Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees, either individually or as a group. While the Board of Trustees meets twice annually, grants are considered on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. Oak Worldwide DENMARK UK MAINE, USA SWITZERLAND BULGARIA NORTH CAROLINA, USA INDIA BELIZE ETHIOPIA ZIMBABWE Oak Foundation has ten oces in nine countries 2 Oak Foundation MISSION Oak Foundation commits its resources to address issues of global social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. Podgorica © Forum MNE, © Forum © Mark Johnson © Anne Henshaw © Anne © Center for Youth Youth for © Center Integration, Belgrade Integration, Child Abuse P. 6 Environment P.23 Catalysing stakeholders, including children, to improve Addressing global climate change mitigation and practice, influence policy and increase funding to address the conservation of marine resources. the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. © 2011 Platon for for © 2011 Platon © 2011 Platon for for © 2011 Platon Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch Housing and Homelessness P.40 International Human Rights P.50 Working to prevent homelessness, and social and Protecting fundamental human rights and holding economic marginalisation. to account those who violate them. © Student U © Student © Student U © Student © Meso-American of Initiative Women Human Rights Defenders Women Issues Affecting Women P.61 Learning Differences P.72 Ensuring that women have the rights, capacity and Supporting students with learning differences opportunity to assure their safety from violence and to succeed in school through research and advocacy to enjoy their full and equal human rights. programmes that help them, their families, educators and schools understand learners and learning. © Mark Bussell © Diana Tonea, Save the Children Save Special Interest Grants P.78 A grant-making initiative reflecting the special interests of the Foundation’s Trustees. of Møltrup Optagelseshjem © By kind courtesy Oak Foundation Denmark P.87 Oak Zimbabwe Foundation P.95 A national grant-making organisation supporting Danish A national grant-making organisation to help maintain society and promoting Danish culture. and develop Zimbabwean non-governmental social, health and education organisations. Oak Foundation 3 GRANT MAKING ANNUAL REPORT 2011 If in doubt please write to the Geneva (including children) and communities office or e-mail [email protected]. For initial During the 2011 calendar year, Oak Oak Foundation does not provide contact, please do not telephone or visit Foundation, including Oak Foundation support to religious organisations for the offices. Denmark and Oak Zimbabwe Foundation, religious purposes, election campaigns made 326 programmatic grants for or general fund-raising drives. Except in GRANT-MAKING CRITERIA a total of USD 158.32 million. These special circumstances, Oak’s grant-making grants supported 312 organisations Oak Foundation considers requests for programmes do not fund initiatives under headquartered in 41 countries. funding of special projects, core costs, USD 25,000. technical assistance and collaborative The work of these organisations is carried Oak values partnerships, both as a funder activities. Multi-year projects are subject to out throughout the world. The size of and as a grant-maker. As a foundation, Oak regular reviews. grants varied from approximately participates in the US-based Council of USD 25,000 to USD 10 million. A list of The Foundation occasionally initiates its Foundations, the European Foundations active grants approved in previous years own programmes or stimulates initiatives Centre and selected groups of donors in is available on Oak Foundation’s website in its areas