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Okavango Private Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $464,800 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies (average approximately $17,200 per grant based on 2023 data)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.-based organizations)

Contact Details

Website: https://okavango-foundation.com/

Address: 6820 Creek Wood Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Note: Contact information available through website contact form. Organizations should reach out via the website to inquire about donation opportunities.

Overview

The Okavango Private Foundation was established in 2021 by the Keefe family of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With annual giving of approximately $465,000, the foundation supports nonprofits working in three distinct areas: ocean and waterway conservation, wildlife and animal protection, and mental health advancements. The foundation's mission is "to restore and protect the health of the planet, including the animals and humans who call this world home." Named after the Okavango Delta—described by the founders as "a refreshing oasis in the heart of the African desert"—the foundation seeks to embody Earth's regenerative vitality. In 2023, the foundation made 27 grants totaling $464,800. Notable recent funding includes a significant $500,000 commitment to the red wolf wildlife crossings project in North Carolina.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three fundamental initiatives:

Blue Initiative: Ocean & Waterway Conservation

  • Groundbreaking environmental research
  • Research and restoration projects for oceans and waterways

Green Initiative: Wildlife & Animal Protection

  • Animal welfare and habitat preservation
  • Wildlife conservation projects
  • Animal shelters and sanctuaries

Gray Initiative: Mental Health Advancements

  • Mental health disorder research
  • Treatment programs for mental health conditions

Grant Range

Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 27 grants totaling $464,800, with an average grant size of approximately $17,200. However, the foundation has demonstrated capacity for larger strategic grants, such as the $500,000 commitment to red wolf wildlife crossings.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Organizations should ensure alignment with the three core initiatives before reaching out.

Governance and Leadership

Caren Keefe (Founder and President)

  • Over 30 years of experience in business and finance
  • Background in private equity firms and investment management
  • Operational expertise across clinical trials industry sectors

Richard Keefe, PhD (Founder and Vice-President)

  • Over 40 years of experience in clinical psychology, neuroscience, and drug development
  • Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center
  • Received the 2024 Andrew C. Leon Distinguished Career Award from the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology
  • Research focused on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and related disorders
  • President of the International Society for Central Nervous System Clinical Trials and Methodology
  • Founder and CEO of NeuroCog Trials, Inc.

Austin Keefe (Creative Director)

  • Multimedia designer
  • Graduate of George Washington University and Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Web Design Coordinator at WIRB Copernicus Group

Victoria Keefe

  • Graduate of University of Miami
  • Culinary Arts degree from Institute of Culinary Education
  • Freelance food stylist

Foundation Vision: "A world with balanced ecosystems, secure habitats, and effective mental health treatment for all those who need it."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Okavango Private Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, who identify and select organizations that align with the foundation's three core initiatives.

The foundation's website states: "Contact us to learn more about our donation process," suggesting that while there is no open application portal, interested nonprofits may reach out to introduce their organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

The Keefe family personally oversees grant decisions. Organizations seeking funding should:

  • Demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of the three core initiatives (ocean/waterway conservation, wildlife protection, or mental health research/treatment)
  • Contact the foundation directly through their website contact form to introduce their organization
  • Leverage connections to Duke University or the North Carolina conservation community, where the founders have established relationships
  • Focus on demonstrable impact: The foundation's $500,000 grant to Save Red Wolves for wildlife crossings demonstrates interest in concrete, measurable conservation outcomes

The foundation's description of Save Red Wolves states: "The Keefes are proof that a few individuals can make a big difference," suggesting they value significant impact and strategic interventions.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation with trustee discretion, timelines likely vary based on when proposals are received and reviewed by the board.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 27 grants, and in 2022, it made 5 grants. These numbers reflect grants awarded but do not indicate how many organizations were considered.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not provide explicit application guidance, analysis of their funding patterns reveals several key factors:

Strategic Conservation Impact: The $500,000 grant to red wolf wildlife crossings demonstrates interest in high-impact conservation projects that address critical species survival issues. The project specifically addressed vehicle collisions as the leading cause of mortality for red wolves, with only 16-19 individuals remaining in the wild.

Alignment with Founder Expertise: Dr. Richard Keefe's distinguished career in psychiatric research suggests mental health grants may benefit from evidence-based approaches, rigorous research methodology, and measurable outcomes in cognitive dysfunction or treatment effectiveness.

Environmental Urgency: The foundation highlights statistics about environmental crises (1 billion people affected by polluted water, 240 acres of wildlife habitat destroyed per hour), indicating concern for projects addressing urgent environmental threats.

Family Foundation Values: As a family foundation led by the Keefes, personal connection to the mission and demonstrated commitment to planetary health appear to be important factors. The foundation emphasizes that "a few individuals can make a big difference."

North Carolina Connections: The $500,000 commitment to North Carolina red wolf crossings suggests possible preference for projects in their home state or region, though this is not an explicit requirement.

Measurable Outcomes: The foundation's vision statement emphasizes "balanced ecosystems, secure habitats, and effective mental health treatment," suggesting preference for projects with clear, measurable outcomes rather than purely educational or advocacy work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process; focus on relationship building rather than submitting formal proposals
  • Three-pillar alignment is critical: Ensure your work clearly fits within ocean/waterway conservation, wildlife protection, or mental health research and treatment
  • North Carolina connections may be advantageous: The foundation has demonstrated significant investment in their home state
  • Scale of impact matters: While average grants are around $17,000, the foundation has capacity for six-figure commitments to projects with exceptional impact potential
  • Founder expertise is relevant: Mental health projects may benefit from alignment with Dr. Keefe's research focus on cognition and psychiatric disorders
  • Evidence-based approaches likely resonate: Given Dr. Keefe's scientific background and Caren Keefe's private equity experience, demonstrating measurable outcomes and strategic impact is likely important
  • Contact through their website: While not a formal application, reaching out to introduce your organization is acceptable and encouraged by the foundation

References

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