Special Interest Programme
Supporting a diverse range of partners around the world, reflecting the interests of Oak’s Trustees
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A voice for wildlife in North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) is a not-for-profit organisation that works to protect, conserve, and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitats for all. From the mountains to the coast, it helps native species return to the landscape.
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A new pathway to better jobs, made in Durham
Made in Durham connects young people to careers in the life sciences. Find out more about its community partnership model!
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Cracking the code to a more diverse tech sector
From building apps that make the world a better place to launching their careers in tech, students at Code the Dream are reaching success.
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Hope in the vaults at the ‘world’s richest bank’
Beneath the English countryside in the heart of Sussex lies an incredible bank – but the type that may come to mind as you read this is not the one we mean. In sub-zero chambers, in flood-, bomb-, and radiation-proof vaults, 2.4 billion seeds, coll
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Ballet for all: dancing in Birmingham
Birmingham Royal Ballet is a true powerhouse in classic ballet and contemporary dance. The company performs everything from classic romantic ballets to new works of dance inspired by the world today.
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Empowering students through technology education: an uncommon story
Working in Zimbabwe, Uncommon provides technology training and computer programming classes to young adults and children. Read more to learn about their remarkable story.
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Facing cancer together
Cancer Support Switzerland works to ensure that no-one experiencing cancer in Switzerland faces it alone. Read on to find out more.
Overview
Driven by the interests and passions of Oak’s Trustees, the Special Interest Programme provides the space and flexibility to make grants outside of Oak’s other programme strategies. Special Interest grants are diverse, supporting grantee partners in a wide range of fields including medical research, education, environment, humanitarian relief, mental health, the arts, and much more. Trustees support inspiring leaders, organisations, and projects from the local to global level, helping them to thrive and succeed in their missions. Read our stories and visit the grant database to see the diversity of grants within our programme.
Geography
The Special Interest Programme makes grants globally.
Requests for support: letters of enquiry
We are open to receiving requests for support through our letters of enquiry form online; however, please be aware that the Special Interest Programme is Trustee-driven and due to the volume of requests we receive, they are rarely able to accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Programme overview
The Special Interest Programme provides the space and flexibility to make grants outside of Oak’s other programme strategies and is driven by the interests and passions of Oak’s Trustees. The programme supports grantee partners in a wide range of fields including medical research, education, environment, humanitarian relief, mental health, the arts, and much more.
Our programme grant-making in 2023
We made 76 grants totalling USD 90.88 million
Discover our partner stories
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A voice for wildlife in North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) is a not-for-profit organisation that works to protect, conserve, and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitats for all. From the mountains to the coast, i…
-
A new pathway to better jobs, made in Durham
Made in Durham connects young people to careers in the life sciences. Find out more about its community partnership model!…
-
Cracking the code to a more diverse tech sector
From building apps that make the world a better place to launching their careers in tech, students at Code the Dream are reaching success….
-
Hope in the vaults at the ‘world’s richest bank’
Beneath the English countryside in the heart of Sussex lies an incredible bank – but the type that may come to mind as you read this is not the one we mean. In sub-zero chambers, in flood-, bomb-, a…
-
Ballet for all: dancing in Birmingham
Birmingham Royal Ballet is a true powerhouse in classic ballet and contemporary dance. The company performs everything from classic romantic ballets to new works of dance inspired by the world today….
-
Empowering students through technology education: an uncommon story
Working in Zimbabwe, Uncommon provides technology training and computer programming classes to young adults and children. Read more to learn about their remarkable story….
Would you like to read more stories like this? Please visit our “Stories” page.
Watch our latest videos
The Association of Forest Owners of Valle del Arrago, based in the Cáceres province of western Spain, is an amazing group of over 120 people helping to create the conditions to stop forest fires from spreading in their region. Among their priorities is to plant more than 130,000 trees over 216 hectares of forest land. Click below to read more.
Rewilding Argentina seeks to reverse the extinction of local species, to recover the functioning of ecosystems, and to promote the wellbeing of local communities. Click below to find out how biologists, veterinarians, park rangers, governments, and residents are using rewilding to restore Argentina’s Iberá wetlands.
The number of women serving in active duty military current represent about 16 percent of the US military forces. The Women Veteran’s Network (WoVeN) has created a vibrant and unique network, designed to meet their needs. Click below to learn more about its work.
Would you like to see more videos? Please visit our YouTube channel.