Oak Foundation, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, traces its origins to British accountant Alan Parker, who helped build the Duty Free Shoppers business. Named for the oak tree's strength and longevity, it was formally established in 1983 with initial grants in Denmark for single mothers and torture victims, and in Zimbabwe for vulnerable children.
Grant-making expanded in the early 1990s with hired staff and dedicated programs. By 2024, it operated seven global programs—Environment, Housing and Homelessness, International Human Rights, Issues Affecting Women, Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Learning Differences, and Special Interest—plus country programs in Denmark, Zimbabwe, India, and Brazil. That year, it awarded 411 grants totaling USD 466 million to 368 organizations in 40 countries.
Recent efforts include organizational development funding via a partnership with Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, aiding partners in strategic planning and financial resilience. In learning differences, past support reached school districts like Chapel Hill-Carrboro in North Carolina. Country programs in India and Brazil are closing, with a USD 12 million transition fund for phase-out grants targeting marginalized groups in tea gardens.
With offices in the UK, US, Denmark, and Zimbabwe, Oak directs resources to not-for-profit groups tackling social and environmental challenges, emphasizing long-term partnerships over short-term projects.