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Special Interest Programme

Supporting a diverse range of partners around the world, reflecting the interests of Oak’s Trustees

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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Zimbabwe Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    From ‘addiction’ to understanding – the radical new approach behind Foundation for Change

    Foundation for Change helps people reframe their struggles with substance use, with compassion and a change in perspective. 

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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    Supporting those experiencing homelessness in Winchester

    The Winchester Beacon was founded in the heart of Winchester city in the south of England in 1988 to provide emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. Today, The Beacon is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week shelter supp 

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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    A safe haven for children in the heart of central London 

    With a large playground, afterschool activities, a sports development programme, and more, Coram’s Field offers a safe place of play and recreation for children in central London. Read about the work of our partner below: 

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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    Genetic breakthrough rebuilds Galápagos tortoise populations

    Iniciativa Galápagos has been working to repopulate the islands’ giant tortoises for 20 years. An exciting scientific discovery reveals new hope for this near extinct species. 

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.

 
Special Interest Programme / Strategy paper

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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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    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…

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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Zimbabwe Programme / Partner story

    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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    Special Interest Programme / Partner story

    Shaping the vision of tomorrow: construction begins on new eye health centre

    New technologies to address eye diseases are flourishing, which is good news for more than two million people in the UK who are living with sight loss. Modern facilities to host the scientists working…

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.