Doug Griffiths, President of the Oak Foundation, on the power of philanthropy, transforming lives, strengthening communities, and addressing inequities in ways that neither governments nor markets can achieve alone.
The Oak Foundation exemplifies this potential, channeling nearly half a billion dollars annually into causes that seek to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place. From climate action to human rights, child protection to economic justice, Oak’s work demonstrates the profound role that philanthropy can play in driving long-term, meaningful change.
The foundation understands that real impact is achieved when nonprofits are strong, resilient, and empowered to adapt to changing circumstances. By prioritising unrestricted funding and investing in capacity-building, Oak ensures that its partners have the flexibility to innovate, scale, and sustain their work over time. This shift from transactional funding to transformative partnership is at the heart of philanthropy’s power to drive change.
A defining aspect of Oak’s approach is its willingness to take risks where others will not. Many of today’s most pressing challenges require bold, forward-thinking investments. Oak has stepped into these gaps, funding research, advocacy, and grassroots movements that challenge the status quo and push for progress. In areas like childhood cancer research, where market forces fail to generate sufficient investment, Oak’s philanthropic intervention has the potential to accelerate medical breakthroughs and save lives.
Philanthropy is also uniquely positioned to catalyse change by connecting diverse actors — governments, civil society, businesses, and innovators — who might not otherwise collaborate. Oak’s work in climate philanthropy exemplifies this, with its support for platforms like Climate LEAD, which has mobilised more than $4 billion toward high-impact environmental solutions. By convening stakeholders, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and funding new models of intervention, Oak is leveraging its resources to create impact far beyond the size of its own grants.
Oak’s work is a testament to the potential of philanthropy to not just fund change, but to actively shape it. The foundation is proving that when philanthropy is done with humility, empathy, and a willingness to learn, it can be one of the most powerful forces for good in the world.
About Doug Griffiths
Doug Griffiths has the privilege of guiding the work of Oak Foundation, an innovative family foundation that focuses on supporting organisations that aspire to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live. In 2023, Oak made 440 grants to 412 organisations in 41 countries, for a total of $480 million.
Before joining Oak Foundation, Doug was a career diplomat promoting democracy, good governance, environmental protection, and inclusion across four continents. He served as the US Ambassador to Mozambique, where he coordinated the investment of over $1 billion in US assistance to support a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous society.
Doug has a master's degree in public policy from Princeton University and a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Notre Dame. He likes to spend every free moment in nature and is passionate about protecting the environment for current and future generations.