About Oberlin College
Oberlin is a place of intense energy and creativity, built on a foundation of academic, artistic, and musical excellence. From its founding in 1833, Oberlin has pursued missions including abolition, coeducation, and addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change while supporting student learning, research, and global perspectives.
Focus Areas
Higher educationArtsMusicStudent fellowships and awardsSustainability and climate actionGlobal education / study away
Who They Fund
K-12 school (OECC) and studentsnew and aspiring farmerslocal municipal services (fire department)local community recreation users and sports teamsland stewards/forest managers
Funding Style
About Oberlin College
A defining thread in Oberlin College’s recent grantmaking is the Green EDGE Fund, which repeatedly backs local sustainability projects that range from electric vehicle infrastructure to sugarbush ecosystem work. The college also supports campus and community needs with larger, multi-installment commitments, including a $136,335 payment toward a fire truck for the City of Oberlin Fire Department and an $81,708 Hydro Energy Grant for the City of Oberlin. Across the recent grants list, the pattern is strongly place-based and often project-specific, with funds directed to public agencies, schools, community nonprofits, and land stewards in and around Oberlin. Several grants point to a practical, built-environment approach: an EV charging station for Sustainable Community Associates L, a sustainable climate control project for the Oberlin Heritage Center, and trail and tree-fencing work with Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The college also supports learning and stewardship through grants to Oberlin Early Childhood Center for a school greenhouse and to City Fresh for a new farmer incubator. Recent awards show a funder investing in local infrastructure, climate-related experimentation, and educational spaces tied to the community it serves.
What Oberlin College Funds
Oberlin College’s sustainability-related grants include infrastructure, education, and land stewardship. In transportation and energy, they gave $15,800 to Sustainable Community Associates L for an electric vehicle charging station, and they supported the City of Oberlin with $81,708 for a Hydro Energy Grant and $91,708 for Green Yarding & Lawn Care / Hydro Energy work. In environmental education, the college awarded $43,679 to Oberlin Early Childhood Center for a school greenhouse, with additional greenhouse funding in later years. Land-based projects also appear regularly: Western Reserve Land Conservancy received $25,980 for tree fencing and trail improvements, while Shagbark Haven LLC received grants for the Sugarbush Ecosystem LandLab. Beyond that, City Fresh was funded for a New Farmer Incubator, showing support for local food and agriculture development.
How Oberlin College Gives
Typical award sizes cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $15,800, and the 75th percentile is $38,000. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including the City of Oberlin, Oberlin Early Childhood Center, City Fresh, and Shagbark Haven LLC. That pattern suggests project follow-through rather than one-off giving. Oberlin College is a private educational institution, and the grants include multi-installment payments such as the seven-part fire truck commitment. The data also shows program-related investments as part of its structure.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$787K
Total Assets
$2.1B
Total Revenue
$467.8M
Total Expenses
$320.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$38K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
About 88% of grants go to recipients in OH.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
CARMEN AMBAR
PRESIDENT
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