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Oberkotter Foundation

Annual Giving
$15.2M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.3M
Decision Time
5mo

Oberkotter Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $15.2 million (FY 2024)
  • Total Assets: $213.8 million (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; Navigator program notifies in 5 months
  • Grant Range: $20,000 - $350,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States (national)
  • Application Method: Strategic/invitation-based (currently no general unsolicited applications)

Contact Details

Address: 123 S. Broad Street, Suite 1500, Philadelphia, PA 19109

Phone: (215) 751-2601

Email: info@oberkotterfoundation.org

Website: www.oberkotterfoundation.org

Grants Administrator: grantsadministrator@oberkotterfoundation.org

Overview

The Oberkotter Foundation was established in 1985 by Robert and Mildred Oberkotter after their daughter became deaf in infancy. Since its founding, the Foundation has distributed over $500 million to support listening and spoken language (LSL) outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. With total assets of $213.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of $15.2 million (FY 2024), the Foundation underwent significant strategic transformation in 2024, releasing a comprehensive 2023-2027 strategic plan and redesigning its identity. The Foundation has shifted from accepting general unsolicited applications to a more strategic, targeted approach focused on advancing science and innovation, raising awareness, increasing access, expanding knowledge, and exercising leadership in the field of childhood hearing healthcare. Under CEO Dr. Teresa H. Caraway's leadership, the Foundation created the Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing in 2024 to provide evidence-based guidance for its grant-making priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation currently operates through strategic initiatives rather than open grant programs:

Navigator Program Funding (October 1 - November 28, 2025)

  • Grant amounts not specified in public materials
  • Supports programs connecting families to timely hearing healthcare
  • Notification by February 27, 2026
  • Application through www.oberkotterfoundation.org/grants

Strategic Initiative Grants

  • $20,000 - $350,000 (typical historical range)
  • Invitation-based or targeted RFPs
  • Focused on Foundation's five strategic goals
  • No fixed application cycle

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds innovations and initiatives in these areas:

Science & Innovation

  • Groundbreaking technologies addressing barriers to care
  • Research advancing audiological outcomes
  • LSL development and literacy improvement
  • Evidence-based intervention strategies

Access & Support

  • Navigator programs supporting timely hearing healthcare access
  • Expanding hearing technology availability
  • Coordinated pediatric audiology services
  • Family support resources, particularly for newly diagnosed families
  • Programs serving underserved communities

Knowledge & Awareness

  • Professional development for audiologists, therapists, and educators
  • Family education and peer connections
  • Newborn hearing screening awareness
  • Public understanding of hearing's role in brain development

Key Funding Criteria (from Foundation priorities):

  • Early childhood development — Programs prioritizing critical early periods for brain development
  • Innovation and scalability — Transformative ideas with potential for widespread impact
  • Expanded access — Reducing barriers for underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation's website does not explicitly list exclusions, but their focused mission suggests they do not fund:

  • Programs unrelated to childhood hearing loss
  • Adult hearing services
  • Sign language-focused approaches (they specifically support listening and spoken language methodologies)
  • General educational programs without hearing loss focus

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Teresa H. Caraway, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT — Chief Executive Officer

  • 40-year career in LSL outcomes; founded Hearts for Hearing
  • Quote: The strategic plan will "push the boundaries of what is possible through science and innovation" and create "scalable, sustainable changes"

Jace Wolfe, Ph.D., CCC-A — Senior Vice President, Innovation (Chair, Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing)

  • Over 20 years leading clinical audiologists; author of cochlear implant textbooks

Andrea Dunn, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A — Vice President, Programs (Vice Chair, Scientific Council)

  • 15+ years in pediatric audiology; former Associate Director at Vanderbilt
  • Quote on Navigator Programs: "Navigators support and empower families...connecting them with timely, high-quality hearing healthcare and intervention services"

Albert Suh, J.D. — Vice President, Administration & General Counsel

  • 15+ years managing legal, risk, and compliance strategies

Jennifer Ransley, MBA — Vice President, Hearing First

  • 20+ years in strategic planning and project management

Courtney Laub, CPA — Associate Vice-President, Finance and Administration

  • Nearly 20 years specializing in nonprofit organizations

Board of Trustees

Bruce A. Rosenfield (Trustee since 1988, Executive Director 2003-2005)

  • Estate planning attorney; fellow of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

David A. Pierson (Trustee since 2012)

  • Former Temple University faculty; management consultant background

Lydia Denworth (Trustee since 2022)

  • Award-winning science journalist; contributing editor at Scientific American
  • Personal experience: mother of son with cochlear implant who followed LSL journey

Cedric Pritchett, MD, MPH (Trustee since January 2025)

  • Pediatric otolaryngologist at Nemours Children's Hospital
  • Research focuses on barriers to pediatric hearing healthcare and racial disparities

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The Oberkotter Foundation does not currently accept unsolicited grant requests for general projects. Their website explicitly states: "Currently, we do not accept unsolicited grant requests for projects."

The Foundation has transitioned to a strategic, invitation-based approach where they identify and pursue initiatives aligned with their five-goal strategic plan. They periodically issue targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for specific initiatives.

Targeted Funding Opportunities: Organizations should monitor www.oberkotterfoundation.org/grants for announcements of specific funding opportunities, such as the Navigator Program RFP (October 1 - November 28, 2025).

For Organizations with Questions: Contact info@oberkotterfoundation.org or (215) 751-2601

Getting on Their Radar

While the Foundation doesn't accept general unsolicited applications, organizations can position themselves strategically:

Align with Strategic Priorities: The Foundation's 2023-2027 strategic plan focuses on five specific goals. Organizations should demonstrate how their work advances science and innovation, increases access to care (especially for underserved communities), builds knowledge among professionals and families, or raises public awareness of childhood hearing issues.

Scientific Council Connection: The Foundation established the Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing in 2024 with members from leading institutions (Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, UC San Francisco, Boys Town National Research Hospital, etc.). Organizations conducting research or working closely with these institutions may have opportunities for visibility.

Respond to Targeted RFPs: The Foundation issues specific funding opportunities (like the 2025 Navigator Program RFP). Organizations working in pediatric audiology, LSL services, or family support should monitor the Foundation's website and sign up for any available newsletters or announcements.

Demonstrate Innovation and Scalability: CEO Dr. Caraway emphasizes the Foundation seeks "transformative ideas and scalable solutions." Organizations should be prepared to articulate how their programs create widespread, sustainable impact beyond single communities.

Focus on Underserved Populations: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes "reducing barriers and expanding access...particularly underserved populations." Programs documenting work with disadvantaged communities align with current priorities.

Decision Timeline

Navigator Program (2025 example):

  • Application period: October 1 - November 28, 2025
  • Decision notification: February 27, 2026
  • Timeline: Approximately 5 months from deadline to notification

General Strategic Grants: Timeline varies by initiative; no standard cycle published

Success Rates

In 2023, the Foundation made 14 grants totaling $3.9 million. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available. With the shift to invitation-based and targeted RFP approaches, success rates for open competitions would only apply to specific funding opportunities like the Navigator Program.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is published on the Foundation's website. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the Foundation directly at info@oberkotterfoundation.org to inquire about appropriate timing and approach.

Application Success Factors

Since the Oberkotter Foundation now operates primarily through strategic initiatives and targeted RFPs rather than open applications, success factors differ from traditional grant-seeking:

1. Strategic Alignment is Critical

The Foundation's explicit funding priorities state grants must:

  • Emphasize early childhood development — Focus on the critical early period for brain development (birth to age 3-5)
  • Drive innovation and scalability — Present transformative ideas with widespread impact potential, not single-site programs
  • Expand access — Reduce barriers for underserved populations and demonstrate reach to disadvantaged communities

2. Evidence-Based Approaches

With the Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing guiding priorities, proposals should demonstrate scientific grounding. The Foundation states "science provides the foundation upon which effective, equitable solutions are built." Applications should cite research evidence and include measurable outcomes aligned with established benchmarks (such as the 1-3-6 JCIH guidelines: screening by 1 month, diagnosis by 3 months, intervention by 6 months).

3. Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Focus

The Foundation specifically supports LSL outcomes, not all approaches to childhood deafness. Organizations must demonstrate commitment to helping children develop listening, talking, and literacy skills through auditory approaches, typically utilizing hearing technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants).

4. Examples of Recently Funded Work

  • Navigator Programs (2025 RFP): Programs connecting families quickly to hearing healthcare, particularly in underserved areas
  • Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing (2024): Multidisciplinary research initiative advancing evidence base for interventions
  • "Starts Hear" Awareness Campaign: Public education about newborn hearing screening and early brain development
  • Historical Grantees (per Inside Philanthropy): Clarke Schools for Hearing, Child's Voice School, The Moog Center for Deaf Education, Listen and Talk

5. What the Foundation Values

From leadership statements:

  • Dr. Teresa Caraway (CEO) on Navigator Programs: Programs must "help connect families quickly with the necessary care that we know helps children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to listen, talk, read, and thrive"
  • On scalability: Must create "scalable, sustainable changes" not one-off interventions
  • Focus on "translating science into practice" to capitalize on critical early brain development stages

6. Application Quality for Targeted RFPs

For specific opportunities like the Navigator Program:

  • Clearly demonstrate understanding of JCIH 1-3-6 benchmarks
  • Show capacity to serve families from diagnosis through intervention connection
  • Document experience with underserved communities
  • Provide concrete plans for family empowerment and support
  • Detail coordination mechanisms with audiologists and early intervention providers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Don't submit unsolicited general applications — The Foundation explicitly states they don't accept these currently. Monitor their website for targeted RFP announcements instead.

  • Strategic alignment is non-negotiable — With the shift to strategic grant-making, only initiatives directly advancing one or more of their five goals (science & innovation, awareness, access, knowledge, leadership) will be considered.

  • Emphasize scalability and innovation — CEO Dr. Caraway's vision focuses on "transformative ideas and scalable solutions with widespread impact." Single-site service programs without replication potential don't align with current priorities.

  • Early childhood focus is central — Programs must prioritize the critical early developmental period. The Foundation emphasizes reaching families quickly after diagnosis and supporting the 1-3-6 benchmarks.

  • Underserved populations are a priority — Explicitly address how your program reduces barriers and expands access to disadvantaged communities. Geographic reach to underserved areas strengthens proposals.

  • Ground proposals in science — With the Scientific Council guiding priorities, demonstrate evidence-based approaches, cite relevant research, and include measurable outcomes aligned with best practices.

  • Understand LSL methodology — This Foundation specifically supports listening and spoken language approaches, not all deaf education philosophies. Organizations must demonstrate commitment to auditory-based language development.

References

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