Annual Report 2o1o 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 THE TRUSTEES 2010 was a year of great opportunities – and formidable challenges – for Oak Foundation and its partners. During the course of the year, we granted USD 116.72 million (up from USD 111.83 in 2009) and supported 271 organisations around the world both to reflect and take action on some of the most perplexing global issues of our time. While these efforts differ in scope, scale and geographic coverage, they all demonstrate commitment to the fundamental values of Oak Foundation: broad and equitable access to services; positive changes in policy at all levels; strengthening the confidence and “voice” of low income and marginalised groups; empowering women to live lives free from violence and discrimination; promoting universal respect for and access to human rights; supporting more effective child protection systems, particularly at community level; and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their learning potential. For example, during the last year Oak Foundation has supported partners to: Safeguard the environment, by securing a ban on trawl fishing in Belize and a moratorium on oil and gas development in key areas of the Arctic, launching a donor collaborative to protect the world’s oceans, fostering stronger action against fisheries subsidies worldwide, strengthening climate action at state and local levels in North America and in emerging economies and containing tar sands development. Stop the sexual abuse of children, by strengthening community-based child protection systems in Eastern Africa, mobilising private donors to step up efforts to reduce the number of children in institutions, empowering children to recognise – and respond to – the inappropriate behaviour of adults, and promoting the positive engagement of men and boys in preventing sexual abuse and exploitation. Address the urgent concerns of women, by strengthening women’s movements, reinforcing anti- trafficking networks in Eastern Europe and Central America, developing ways to work with men to reduce violence against women and advocating for the full and effective implementation of domestic violence legislation in Eastern Europe and South Asia. Reduce the vulnerability of the homeless, by engaging the private rented sector in the provision of low income housing, building the capacity of local organisations to advocate for policy change, strengthening the legal services available to those at risk of losing their homes and expanding outreach to the homeless in Glasgow, Scotland. Promote human rights, by challenging state violence in several countries (including those in Eastern Europe), continuing the long struggle for accountability for human rights abuses in Latin America and transforming policies on immigration detention in North America and Europe. Assist children to reach their full learning potential by promoting tools and techniques that embrace different kinds of learners, expanding mentoring networks to provide support to and build confidence among students with learning differences and strengthening the ability of parents to advocate for their children’s needs. These and other efforts – including support to the arts, medical research and post-disaster recovery – are highlighted in this 2010 Annual Report of Oak Foundation. We congratulate our partners on their many achievements while recognising the formidable challenges that lie ahead. It is our continuing privilege to assist this extraordinary group of organisations to work toward a better, fairer and safer world. The Trustees of Oak Foundation Kristian Parker - Caroline Turner - Natalie Parker - 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 a range of 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 2,100 grants to not-for-profit organisations across the globe. While its headquarters remain in Geneva, Oak has a presence in seven other countries, being Belize, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ethiopia, 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 Parker, 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 to 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 22 Oak Oak Foundation 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. © K. Parker K. © © Oceana/Carlos Suarez Oceana/Carlos © Child Abuse P.6 Environment P.18 Catalysing stakeholders, including children, to improve Addressing global climate change mitigation and the practice, influence policy and increase funding to address conservation of marine resources. the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. © greenlibms.com © Housing and Homelessness P.33 International Human Rights P.42 Working to prevent homelessness, and social and Protecting fundamental human rights and holding to economic marginalisation. account those who violate them. © NCL © © AALI © © NCLD © © City of Joy/Paula Allen Joy/Paula of City © Issues Affecting Women P.50 Learning Differences P.57 Ensuring that women have the rights and capacity to Supporting students with learning differences to experience safety from violence and to enjoy economic, succeed in school through research and advocacy social, and political security. programmes that help them, their families, educators and schools understand learners and learning. © Rainbow Trusts Trusts Rainbow © Children’s Charity Children’s © Habitat for Humanity Humanity for Habitat © International/Ezra Millstein International/Ezra Special Interest Grants P.64 A grant-making initiative reflecting the special interests of the Foundation’s Trustees. Oak Foundation Denmark P.71 Oak Zimbabwe Foundation P.79 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 2010 to the appropriate Oak Foundation Have secured co-funding During the 2010 calendar year, Oak programme and letters addressed to the Strive to collaborate with like-minded Foundation, including Oak Foundation appropriate office. organisations If in doubt please write to the Geneva office Denmark and Oak Zimbabwe Foundation, Value the participation of people or e-mail [email protected]. made 289 programmatic grants for a total (including children) and communities of USD 116.72 million. For initial contact, please do not telephone These grants supported 271 organisations or visit the offices. Oak Foundation does not provide headquartered in 41 countries. support to religious organisations for religious purposes, election campaigns GRanT-MakinG CRiTERia The work of these organisations is carried or general fund-raising drives. Except in out throughout the world. The size of Oak Foundation considers requests for special circumstances, Oak’s grant-making grants varied from approximately USD funding of special projects, core costs, programmes do not fund initiatives under 2,500 to USD 7 million. A list of active grants capital needs, technical assistance and USD 25,000. approved in previous years is available on collaborative activities. Multi-year projects Oak values partnerships, both as a funder Oak Foundation’s website are subject to regular reviews. (www.oakfnd.org). and as a grant-maker. As a foundation, Oak The Foundation occasionally initiates its participates in the US-based Council of own programmes or stimulates initiatives Foundations, the European Foundations aPPLiCaTiOn GUidELinES in its areas of interest by issuing calls for Centre and selected groups of donors in Oak Foundation has a continuous approval proposals on specific topics, or convening areas related to its six programmes. As a process so enquiries may be submitted policymakers and practitioners to explore grant-maker, Oak encourages its partners at any time. The Foundation will respond solutions to critical issues. to work together to leverage programme strengths and resources. Oak also supports within