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Oak Hill Fund

Annual Giving
$2.2M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.1M
Decision Time
5mo

Oak Hill Fund - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,221,725 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-5 months
  • Grant Range: Average $31,000-$35,000 per grant
  • Geographic Focus: Southeastern United States (emphasis on Virginia), Chesapeake Bay region, Mesoamerican Reef, and Charlottesville area for reproductive health programs
  • Total Assets: $97.4 million (2017)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1624, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Website: https://oakhillfund.org

Process Questions: Anne O'Brien, Grants Manager
Email: anne@oakhillfund.org

Program Questions: ohf-letters@oakhillfund.org

Overview

The Oak Hill Fund was established in 2001 by William "Bill" and Liza Edgerton as a successor family foundation to the W. Alton Jones Foundation (founded in 1944). Named after the family farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, the foundation's mission is to "promote the well-being of people and the planet through effective and inspiring grantmaking." The foundation manages assets of approximately $97.4 million and awarded $2.2 million across 71 grants in 2024. The Oak Hill Fund operates six focused programs organized under two pillars: Healthy People and Healthy Planet. The foundation emphasizes intergenerational involvement and reflects the founders' values: Bill Edgerton's expertise in sustainable architecture and affordable housing, and Liza Edgerton's commitment to women's reproductive rights and justice. The organization is currently led by the next generation, with Todd Edgerton as President and Leigh Kaczmarek as Vice President.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Oak Hill Fund operates six programs under two pillars:

Healthy People Programs:

  • Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice - Geographic focus: Thomas Jefferson planning district (Charlottesville area). Supports non-profit organizations working on women's reproductive health, rights, and justice. Application method: Rolling basis through online portal during 30-day windows (March 1, July 1, November 1)

  • Food Security - Invitation only

Healthy Planet Programs:

  • Climate Change & Renewable Energy - Geographic focus: Southeastern United States with emphasis on Virginia. Application method: Rolling basis through online portal during 30-day windows (February 1, June 1, October 1)

  • Chesapeake Bay Rivers & Water Quality - Geographic focus: Chesapeake Bay region. Application method: Rolling basis through online portal during 30-day windows (February 1, June 1, October 1)

  • Diminished Tree Species - Application method: Rolling basis through online portal during 30-day windows (February 1, June 1, October 1)

  • Conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef - Geographic focus: Mesoamerican Reef system (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras). Invitation only

Average Grant Size: $31,000-$35,000 per grant (71 grants awarded in 2024)

Priority Areas

  • Environmental conservation and sustainability
  • Climate change mitigation and renewable energy
  • Water quality protection
  • Biodiversity and tree species conservation
  • Women's reproductive freedom and healthcare access
  • Sustainable affordable housing design
  • Community-based solutions in Charlottesville area

What They Don't Fund

The Oak Hill Fund explicitly does not support:

  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Individual grants
  • Book and film writing or publication
  • Additional overhead costs required by universities or similar institutions

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Todd Edgerton - President, Treasurer, Senior Program Officer (next generation family leadership)
  • Leigh Kaczmarek - Vice President, Secretary, Senior Program Officer
  • Liza Edgerton - Board Member Emeritus (co-founder)

Staff:

  • Jason Halbert - Executive Director. Brings 25 years of philanthropy experience, previously served as Deputy Director and Program Officer at the Fund. Managed grassroots grantmaking for biodiversity at the W. Alton Jones Foundation. Coordinated dam removal initiatives in Central Virginia and directed the Appalachian Restoration Campaign. Former lobby advocate for public lands issues on Capitol Hill and garden guide at Monticello. Holds a Political Science degree from University of Delaware and completed the 2010 UVA Sorensen Political Leaders Program. Serves on the Rivanna River Basin Commission and multiple nonprofit boards.

  • Anne O'Brien - Grants Manager. With the Fund since 2006. Holds a Bachelor's in Geology from Bucknell University and Master's in Environmental Sciences from UVa. Former USGS researcher with publications on acid rain and agricultural/industrial runoff effects. Active volunteer leader in local schools and musician.

  • Julia Schaff - Financial Manager

Foundation Philosophy:

As stated on their website: "The Oak Hill Fund's legacy continues by supporting the health of our planet and justice for its people." The founders intentionally involved their children in the foundation's work to foster "the spirit of generosity" across generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Oak Hill Fund uses an online grant application process that begins with submission of a letter of inquiry (LOI). All applications must be submitted through the website—email submissions are not accepted.

Important Application Policy: The fund does not meet with potential grantees before submission of an LOI. According to their FAQ, this policy "helps level the playing field and saves time." They explicitly state: "We do not meet with grantseekers, even past grantees, prior to submission of an LOI."

Submission Windows:

Applications are accepted during specific 30-day windows throughout the year:

  • Healthy People Programs (Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice):

    • March 1-30 (due by midnight eastern March 30)
    • July 1-30 (due by midnight eastern July 30)
    • November 1-30 (due by midnight eastern November 30)

  • Healthy Planet Programs (Climate Change, Chesapeake Bay, Diminished Tree Species):

    • February 1 - March 2 (due by midnight eastern March 2)
    • June 1-30 (due by midnight eastern June 30)
    • October 1-30 (due by midnight eastern October 30)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Organizations must be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Applicants with pending tax-exempt status may still qualify
  • Political subdivisions of government are eligible recipients
  • Applicants must work within the geographic area specified for each program
  • Organizations using fiscal sponsors should submit their own financial statements rather than the sponsor's

Decision Timeline

The entire process from LOI submission to funding decision (assuming a proposal is invited and approved) generally takes 4-5 months, though this may vary at the Board's discretion.

"All letters of inquiry will be answered in a timely fashion." The organization states: "We strive to complete our due diligence on all grants in a timely manner and to communicate decisions as quickly as possible."

Grant Reporting: Awarded grantees can expect informal update meetings at approximately the nine-month mark (via Zoom or site visit), with narrative and financial reports due one month after the grant anniversary.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the foundation made 71 awards from their total LOI submissions. Historical data shows they made 118 awards in 2023 and 136 awards in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

The Oak Hill Fund has not publicly disclosed a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Applicants seeking clarification on reapplication should contact Anne O'Brien at anne@oakhillfund.org.

Application Success Factors

Budget and Financial Considerations:

  • Request amounts should reflect your actual project budget—don't inflate or deflate based on assumptions about what the Fund will award
  • The Oak Hill Fund supports overhead (administrative and fundraising expenses) necessary for the proposed project
  • Additional overhead costs, such as those often required by universities, will not be considered
  • If using a fiscal sponsor, submit organization-specific financial statements rather than the fiscal sponsor's statements

Geographic Alignment:

  • Applications are only accepted from organizations working within specified geographic areas for each program
  • Most grant recipients are concentrated in the local Charlottesville area, though the Fund also supports regional and national organizations within program geographies

Strategic Alignment:

  • The foundation values work that reflects environmental stewardship, social justice, and community-based solutions
  • Projects should align with the founders' demonstrated passions: sustainable design, affordable housing, reproductive rights, and conservation
  • The foundation emphasizes intergenerational values and long-term impact

Application Fairness:

  • The no-meeting policy before LOI submission is designed to "level the playing field"—all applicants are evaluated solely on their written submissions
  • This means your LOI must be comprehensive and compelling on its own merits

Program-Specific Focus:

  • Climate Change & Renewable Energy: Projects in the southeastern US, particularly Virginia
  • Chesapeake Bay: Water quality and river conservation
  • Diminished Tree Species: Biodiversity conservation (e.g., American Chestnut Foundation funding)
  • Reproductive Health: Direct services, transportation, call centers, health education in the Charlottesville area
  • Mesoamerican Reef: Regional conservation collaborations, monitoring, report cards (invitation only)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No pre-submission meetings: Your letter of inquiry must stand on its own—make it comprehensive and compelling
  • Timing is crucial: Applications are only accepted during specific 30-day windows three times per year—plan accordingly
  • Geographic restrictions matter: Carefully review each program's geographic focus and only apply if your work falls within those boundaries
  • Be patient with the process: The 4-5 month timeline from LOI to decision requires planning ahead for your funding needs
  • Support overhead costs: The Fund explicitly supports necessary project overhead—include realistic administrative costs in your budget
  • Reflect founder values: Successful applications likely align with the Edgertons' demonstrated priorities in sustainable design, conservation, and reproductive justice
  • Family foundation transition: The next generation is now leading the organization, continuing the legacy while potentially bringing fresh perspectives

References

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