Oxford League Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $408,225 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $490 - $45,000
Average Grant: ~$16,414
Geographic Focus: Northeast region (primarily Massachusetts and New Hampshire)
Foundation Type: Private foundation

Contact Details

Address: 5 Batchelder Road, Seabrook, NH 03874

Phone: (603) 929-2205

Website: No public website available

Note: This is a private foundation that does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Oxford League Inc was established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) private foundation based in Seabrook, New Hampshire. With total assets of $6,016,311 as of 2023, the foundation has demonstrated significant growth in its grant-making activities, with a 257% increase in giving over the past five years. The foundation focuses primarily on education and the arts, with particular emphasis on scholarships, student support programs, and cultural institutions. In 2023, the foundation distributed $408,225 across 12 grants, supporting organizations ranging from Catholic schools and independent educational institutions to major cultural organizations like the Metropolitan Opera and Boston Symphony Orchestra. The foundation's revenue comes primarily from asset sales and investment income rather than contributions, indicating a well-managed endowment structure. With a "new grantee friendliness" rating of 67%, the foundation demonstrates openness to supporting organizations beyond its core group of recurring recipients.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

As a private foundation, Oxford League Inc does not maintain formal grant programs with structured application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on their philanthropic interests and organizational relationships.

Grant Size Range: $490 - $45,000

Average Grant: Approximately $16,414

Application Method: No public application process; grants awarded by trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant-making patterns, Oxford League Inc focuses on:

Education & Scholarships: The foundation actively supports educational institutions and scholarship programs, particularly those serving inner-city and underserved student populations
Catholic Education: Significant support for Catholic schools and scholarship funds, including the Catholic Schools Foundation's "Building Minds Scholarship" program
Independent Schools: Funding for private educational institutions such as Canterbury School
Arts & Culture: Support for major cultural institutions, with documented grants to:
- Metropolitan Opera (campaign support and annual fund)
- Boston Symphony Orchestra (Business Partners/Presidents at the Pops program)
Matching Gift Programs: The foundation participates in matching gift initiatives to amplify donor support
Capital Campaigns: Support for institutional capital campaigns and infrastructure projects

Geographic Focus

Primary funding area: Northeast United States, with documented grants to organizations in:

Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, as a small private foundation, Oxford League Inc likely does not fund:

Organizations outside their geographic focus area
General operating support for large, well-funded national organizations
International programs
Political organizations or lobbying activities
Individuals (except through established scholarship programs)

Governance and Leadership

President: Michele M. Cogan

Vice President: Thomas L. Rea

Treasurer: John Crowley

Past Treasurer: Anthony Annino

The foundation operates with zero employees, relying on its board of trustees to make grant decisions and manage operations. This structure is typical of family foundations where trustees personally direct philanthropic activities based on their values and connections to the charitable sector.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Oxford League Inc operates as a private foundation that awards grants based on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships with beneficiary organizations. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or maintain an online application portal.

Grants are typically awarded to:

Organizations with established relationships with board members
Institutions where trustees have personal connections or involvement
Programs aligned with trustees' specific philanthropic interests
Organizations that board members have identified through their networks

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a rolling basis at trustees' discretion rather than through scheduled funding cycles.

Success Rates

Public data on application success rates is not available, as the foundation does not maintain an open application process. However, the foundation's "new grantee friendliness" rating of 67% suggests that approximately two-thirds of their annual grants go to organizations they have not funded before, indicating some openness to supporting new beneficiaries identified by trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since Oxford League Inc does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking support should consider the following approaches:

1. Alignment with Documented Interests

Review the foundation's grant history through IRS Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and GuideStar) to ensure your organization's mission aligns with their demonstrated funding priorities in education and the arts.

2. Types of Organizations Successfully Funded

The foundation has supported:

Major established institutions (Metropolitan Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Educational institutions with strong reputations (Canterbury School)
Scholarship programs serving specific populations (Catholic Schools Foundation)
Organizations with clear program names and defined purposes

3. Grant Size Considerations

Most grants fall in the $10,000-$50,000 range, with occasional smaller grants. Organizations should note that this is a modest-sized foundation ($6 million in assets), so requests should be appropriately scaled.

4. Multi-Year Relationship Building

The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with some grantees while also supporting new organizations. Building awareness of your work over time may be more effective than seeking immediate funding.

5. Geographic Relevance

Ensure your organization operates in or serves the Northeast region, as this is the foundation's clear geographic focus.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Private foundation structure: Oxford League Inc does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made at trustee discretion based on personal interests and relationships
Education and arts focus: Strong documented support for scholarship programs, independent schools (particularly Catholic education), and major cultural institutions
Northeast geographic focus: Funding is concentrated in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York
Moderate grant sizes: Most grants range from $10,000-$50,000, with an average around $16,000
Growth trajectory: The foundation has shown significant growth (257% increase over five years), suggesting expanding philanthropic capacity
New grantee openness: With 67% "new grantee friendliness," the foundation does support organizations beyond its core group of recurring recipients
Research past grants: Organizations should review the foundation's 990-PF filings to understand funding patterns and identify potential alignment

References

Cause IQ - The Oxford League profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-oxford-league,020491795/ (Accessed November 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Oxford League Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20491795 (Accessed November 2025)
Instrumentl 990 Report - Oxford League Inc. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/oxford-league-inc (Accessed November 2025)
IRS Form 990-PF filings for Oxford League Inc (EIN: 02-0491795), tax years 2019-2023
EIN Tax ID - Oxford League Inc profile. https://eintaxid.com/company/020491795-oxford-league-inc/ (Accessed November 2025)