Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $24.2 million (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: $17,000 - $18.2 million
- Geographic Focus: United States (emphasis on Chicago, Nashville, Milwaukee, Kosciusko MS) and South Africa
Contact Details
- Phone: (323) 272-6851
- Website: https://www.oprahfoundation.org/
- Address: 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1530N, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Overview
Founded in 2010, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation manages assets of approximately $172 million with annual charitable disbursements of $24.2 million as of 2024. The foundation's mission is to "lead, educate, uplift, inspire and empower women and children throughout the world." Operating as a private foundation, it focuses on education, community development, and addressing urgent social needs through strategic partnerships with established organizations. The foundation takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, with Oprah Winfrey personally involved in selecting initiatives that align with her vision of creating opportunities for underserved communities.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation makes grants ranging from $17,000 to $18.2 million, typically supporting:
- Education Initiatives: Major multi-million dollar commitments to universities and scholarship programs
- Community Development: Grants to grassroots organizations in targeted cities
- Emergency Relief: Responsive funding for food insecurity and disaster relief
- Healthcare Access: Support for health centers and recovery programs
Priority Areas
- Quality education and scholarship programs
- Women and children's empowerment
- Food security and nutrition programs
- Community-based organizations in Chicago, Nashville, Milwaukee, and Kosciusko, Mississippi
- Leadership development programs
- Mental health and wellness initiatives
What They Don't Fund
- Unsolicited proposals (with rare exceptions)
- Individual requests
- Organizations without established track records
- Programs outside their geographic focus areas
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is led by:
- Oprah G. Winfrey - Co-Trustee and Founder
- Gayle King - Co-Trustee
- Robert Greene - Co-Trustee
- Will Bumpus - Manager
Oprah Winfrey maintains direct involvement in grant decisions, stating her vision is "creating a community where all of us can come together to help our fellow brothers and sisters overcome overwhelming odds" with emphasis on "empathy, empowerment and excellence."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, with the rare exception of the Morehouse Scholars Program. Grants are made through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and strategic initiatives identified by the foundation's leadership.
Getting on Their Radar
Based on the foundation's grant patterns, organizations typically receive funding through:
- Direct relationships with Oprah Winfrey or foundation trustees
- Connections through past grantees who can make introductions
- Being identified as a leading organization in the foundation's priority geographic areas (Chicago, Nashville, Milwaukee, Kosciusko)
- Having an established track record in education or community development that aligns with the foundation's mission
- The Morehouse Scholars Program represents the only known exception where institutions can proactively engage
Decision Timeline
Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on its own timeline for grant decisions.
Success Rates
Not publicly available as the foundation does not accept open applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable due to invitation-only grant process.
Application Success Factors
Organizations that have received funding from the foundation typically demonstrate:
- Proven track record in education, community development, or emergency relief
- Direct service to women and children in underserved communities
- Operations in the foundation's priority geographic areas
- Ability to demonstrate measurable impact
- Strong organizational leadership and financial stability
- Alignment with Oprah Winfrey's personal philanthropic vision
- Capacity to handle grants ranging from mid-five figures to eight figures
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The foundation operates as an invitation-only funder with no public application process
- Focus on building relationships with current grantees who might provide introductions
- Organizations in Chicago, Nashville, Milwaukee, and Kosciusko, Mississippi have geographic advantage
- Education initiatives, particularly those serving African American students, align strongly with funding priorities
- The foundation provides significant, often multi-year support to selected partners
- Direct connections to the trustees or past grantees appear essential for consideration
- The Morehouse Scholars Program represents a rare opportunity for proactive engagement
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (accessed December 2025)
- Charity Navigator Profile - EIN 26-6908382 (accessed December 2025)
- Oprah Foundation Official Website - https://www.oprahfoundation.org/ (accessed December 2025)
- Inside Philanthropy - Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation Grants Analysis (accessed December 2025)
- GuideStar Profile - Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (accessed December 2025)
- CauseIQ - Financial Analysis of Form 990PF (2019 data, accessed December 2025)