Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust concentrates its philanthropy into a small number of large, unrestricted gifts supporting education and public-interest institutions across the Southeast. Its funding mixes higher-education and university-affiliated initiatives, civic/legal services, hunger-relief advocacy, and literary/publishing causes, with several repeat grants to the same organizations. The foundation appears comfortable funding general operating needs rather than restricted program line-items.
Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust gives at a scale that is outsized relative to its asset base, with $22.2 million in annual grants and a pattern of large general-fund awards. One of its clearest signals is sustained support for Share Our Strength, including a $4.1 million grant in 2023 and another $1 million in 2025, placing hunger relief among its most visible commitments. The foundation also shows long-running interest in higher education and campus institutions: UNC Chapel Hill received $1.26 million in 2025 and $1 million in 2024, while the UNC Press Club received $1.5 million in 2024. Alongside those anchors, Oakwood has backed legal aid, university-affiliated research, and civic institutions, often with unrestricted gifts that appear intended to support core operations rather than narrowly defined projects. The recent record also includes repeat grants to Virginia-based organizations such as the Virginia Athletic Foundation and Legal Aid Justice Center, suggesting a preference for sustained institutional support over one-time program bets.
Education is a central lane in Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust’s giving. The foundation awarded $1.5 million to Unc Press Club in 2024 and $1.26 million to Unc Chapel Hill in 2025, both as general-fund support. It also backed the University of Virginia with $500,000 in 2025 and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation with $525,000 the same year, extending its higher-education and academic-institution focus beyond one campus. Another clear theme is legal and justice-related work. Legal Aid Justice Center received $625,000 in 2024 and another $625,000 in 2025, plus a $250,000 grant in 2023, all labeled general fund. The foundation also gave $200,000 to Equal Justice America in 2025 and $149,783 to Aba Fund for Justice and Education in 2023. In addition, civic and public-serving causes appear through grants to Affordable Housing in Richmond and United Way in Charlottesville.
Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust’s grants are typically sizable: the distribution sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record, however, shows a much larger upper tier of institutional awards, including multiple six- and seven-figure general-fund grants. Recurring support is common: several grantees appear in more than one year, including repeated awards to Share Our Strength, Virginia Athletic Foundation, Legal Aid Justice Center, Centurion Ministries, Affordable Housing, and UNC Chapel Hill. The trust is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments, and its grants are reported as general-fund support rather than restricted project funding.
$6.9M
$7.7M
$5.4M
$6.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Highly concentrated giving: a small portfolio of very large grants (many seven-figure), frequent repeat funding to select institutional grantees, and a preference for general/flexible support over narrowly restricted projects.
Notable grantees: Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry), Virginia Athletic Foundation, UNC Chapel Hill, Legal Aid Justice Center, The Authors Guild Foundation
Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust gives primarily in Virginia, which accounts for its largest share of grants by recipient location. Charlottesville appears repeatedly, with grants to the Virginia Athletic Foundation, Legal Aid Justice Center, CAV Futures Foundation, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, University of Virginia, Uva Health Children's Hospital, and United Way. Richmond also appears through multiple awards to Affordable Housing. Beyond Virginia, the foundation’s recent grants reach Washington, DC; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Princeton, New Jersey; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois. All recorded grants in the dataset go to US recipients.
Its recent giving centers on general-fund support for education and public-interest institutions, especially universities and university-affiliated organizations, legal aid and justice groups, hunger-relief advocacy, and civic institutions. The grant list shows repeated support for UNC Chapel Hill, the Virginia Athletic Foundation, Legal Aid Justice Center, and Share Our Strength.
Yes. The recent record includes multiple-year support for several groups, including Share Our Strength, Virginia Athletic Foundation, Legal Aid Justice Center, Centurion Ministries, Affordable Housing, and UNC Chapel Hill. The pattern suggests ongoing institutional support rather than isolated one-off grants.
The grant-size distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants also include much larger awards, with several gifts in the hundreds of thousands or millions.
Virginia is the top recipient state by grant count. Charlottesville appears frequently in the recent grants, alongside Richmond, while other recipient cities include Washington, DC; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Princeton, New Jersey; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, according to the provided profile data.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $1,260,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| VIRGINIA ATHLETIC FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LEGAL AID JUSTICE CENTER | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $625,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $525,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AFFORDABLE HOUSING | RICHMOND, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UVA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| EQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA | MIDLOTHIAN, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| INNOCENCE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CENTURION MINISTRIES | PRINCETON, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| COVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | COVESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE WOMEN'S INITIATIVE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NC CENTER FOR ACTUAL INNOCENCE | DURHAM, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE MITFORD MUSEUM | HUDSON, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA | WAYNESBORO, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MONTPELIER FOUNDATION | ORANGE, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE FREE CLINIC | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE LEATHERBACK TRUST INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE PARAMOUNT | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| WATER MISSION | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF OXFORD - LAFAYET | OXFORD, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MILLER CENTER FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BARNABAS CENTER | FERNANDINA BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| YELLOW DOOR FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AHIP | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE SPCA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE POLICE DEPT FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| JEFFERSON POPULAR FOREST | LYNCHBURG, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | WARRENTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOSPICE OF THE PIEDMONT | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SHELTER FOR HELP IN EMERGENCY | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST DAVID'S SCHOOL | RALEIGH, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PIEDMONT CASA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ROCKFISH WILDLIFE SANTUARY | SHIPMAN, VA | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| WVTF PUBLIC RADIO | ROANOKE, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| READY KIDS | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNC PRESS CLUB | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNC CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| CAV FUTURES FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE AUTHORS GUILD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
UNC CHAPEL HILL
$1,260,000GENERAL FUND
VIRGINIA ATHLETIC FOUNDATION
$1,100,000GENERAL FUND
SHARE OUR STRENGTH
$1,000,000GENERAL FUND
LEGAL AID JUSTICE CENTER
$625,000GENERAL FUND
THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION
$525,000GENERAL FUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
$500,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
GENERAL FUND
UVA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$500,000GENERAL FUND
EQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA
$200,000GENERAL FUND
INNOCENCE PROJECT
$100,000GENERAL FUND
CENTURION MINISTRIES
$100,000GENERAL FUND
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
$50,000GENERAL FUND
COVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$50,000GENERAL FUND
THE WOMEN'S INITIATIVE
$30,000GENERAL FUND
NC CENTER FOR ACTUAL INNOCENCE
$25,000GENERAL FUND
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$25,000GENERAL FUND
THE MITFORD MUSEUM
$25,000GENERAL FUND
BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK
$25,000GENERAL FUND
THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA
$20,000GENERAL FUND
MONTPELIER FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL FUND
CHARLOTTESVILLE FREE CLINIC
$15,000GENERAL FUND
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
$10,000GENERAL FUND
THE LEATHERBACK TRUST INC
$10,000GENERAL FUND
THE PARAMOUNT
$10,000GENERAL FUND
WATER MISSION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
UNITED WAY OF OXFORD - LAFAYET
$10,000GENERAL FUND
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
MILLER CENTER FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
BARNABAS CENTER
$10,000GENERAL FUND
YELLOW DOOR FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA
$10,000GENERAL FUND
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$10,000GENERAL FUND
AHIP
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE SPCA
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CHARLOTTESVILLE POLICE DEPT FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
JEFFERSON POPULAR FOREST
$5,000GENERAL FUND
PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
$5,000GENERAL FUND
HOSPICE OF THE PIEDMONT
$5,000GENERAL FUND
THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
SHELTER FOR HELP IN EMERGENCY
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ST DAVID'S SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL FUND
PIEDMONT CASA
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ROCKFISH WILDLIFE SANTUARY
$4,000GENERAL FUND
WVTF PUBLIC RADIO
$2,500GENERAL FUND
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS
$1,000GENERAL FUND
READY KIDS
$1,000GENERAL FUND
UNC PRESS CLUB
$1,500,000GENERAL FUND
UNC CHAPEL HILL
$1,000,000GENERAL FUND
CAV FUTURES FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL FUND
THE AUTHORS GUILD FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL FUND