The Oak Hill Fund

The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing "when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life". Commonly, the concept of food security is defined as including both physical and economic access to food that meets people's dietary needs as well as their food preferences.

Food security is built on three pillars:

Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis.

Food access: having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet.

Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation. ¹
The Oak Hill Fund believes that support of local food banks will improve food availability and access for those in need. By increasing the capacity of these organizations, their ability to feed those in need will increase and will ultimately provide a greater number of meals. We seek proposals to:

Provide support for food banks in central Virginia

Educate the public about the importance of locally-sourced food

Increase locally-sourced foods and services in the food supply chain

Grants for food banks are limited to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District (TJPD) in central Virginia. The TJPD includes the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Greene County, Louisa County, and Nelson County.

Grants for groups that establish and improve access to local foods, such as food cooperatives or food hubs are limited to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Important Update, December 1, 2023: The Oak Hill Fund Board and Staff are currently working with consultants on a new strategic plan as part of the next generation of the family taking the helm. During this time, we will not be accepting any requests for funding. We will of course honor all current commitments whether invitations to submit proposals, multi-year grants, or contracts. Our intent is to resume grantmaking starting June 1, 2024. Any changes to our programs or processes will be posted on our website. We recognize this may have an impact on our grantees and ask for your patience and understanding as we develop the next iteration of The Oak Hill Fund.

^{1. http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story028/en/}