MyOCF

Guide to Field of Interest Funds

Some OCF donors choose to create field of interest funds, specifying one or more topics or geographies which are important to them. These funds are flexible: they support a variety of organizations and projects over time; they evolve to meet changing community needs; and they adjust to changes in the nonprofit landscape as new organizations emerge and others recede.

Donors who create field of interest funds set some broad parameters and give the OCF Board discretion for grantmaking within these parameters. OCF encourages donors to think expansively about their interest areas, as narrow parameters may limit the future use and effectiveness of their funds. 

Below are some field of interest options for your consideration.

Arts (most flexible)

Specific options

  • Performing Arts
    • Dance
    • Theater
    • Music
  • Visual arts
  • Museums
  • Literary Arts
  • Arts Education

Education (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Early childhood education (e.g. preschool, parenting education)
  • Afterschool and summer programs (e.g. camps, tutoring)
  • Youth development
  • Literacy
  • K-12 programs
  • Mentoring
  • Access to higher education (e.g. college)

Social Services (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Domestic and child abuse counseling and prevention
  • Case management
  • Food and meal distribution
  • Children and youth services
  • Emergency assistance

Housing or Homelessness (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Emergency and short-term shelter
  • Affordable housing
  • Support services for homeless individuals (e.g. Laundry trucks, shower trailers, lockers to store stuff, pet care, mailing address/mailboxes, etc.) 

Workforce Development and/or Community Development (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Vocational education (e.g. trade school)
  • Job training and employment

Health (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Mental health treatment, intervention and supports
  • Substance abuse treatment and prevention
  • Access to primary care
  • Medical research

Environment (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Habitat preservation and protection
  • Natural resources conservation and protection
  • Environmental education
  • Programs and projects that address climate change

Animals (most flexible)

Specific options:

  • Animal protection and welfare
  • Wildlife preservation and protection

Services for specific populations, such as:

  • People with disabilities
  • Specific BIPOC* communities (or BIPOC communities in general)
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Low-income individuals
  • Homeless individuals
  • Youth in foster care
  • Veterans

Location-based giving:

  • Specific OCF regions (list out the counties in case it changes over time)
    Specific counties
    Rural communities only
    Individual cities

Age-based giving:

Most flexible:

  • Youth age 18 and under
  • Senior citizens

Specific:

  • Early childhood (age 5 and under)
  • Elementary, middle or high school age
  • Young Adults (18 -25)