Changemakers
inaugural Seminar in The Hogeweyk -"Dementia VIllage"
About Crown Oak . Foundation
Empowering Change Makers .
Advancing Global solutions
At Crown Oak Foundation, we do more than fund ideas—we invest in people, projects, and partnerships tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. From advancing sustainability to supporting those living with age-related memory illnesses, we drive impact where it’s needed most
While Crown Oak Foundation, Inc.’s has applied for recognition of 501(c)(3) status (still pending) , contributions are not guaranteed to be deductible. The IRS may treat donations as deductible retroactive to incorporation if approval is granted. If the IRS denies our application, your contribution will not be deductible and may need to be reported as income.
Our Work
What we do
At Crown Oak Foundation we focus on catalytic, community-based, and scalable solutions.
Our strategy is based on Three Pillars of Impact:
Financial Support
Strategic Mentorship
Global Networking
Our core Values
At Crown Oak, our work is rooted in a clear set of values that guide every decision, partnership, and investment we make:
Creativity
Effectiveness
Ethical Leadership
Diversity & Inclusion
Generosity & Inspiration
Our Initiatives
Seminars & Symposia
In addition to funding bold ideas, Crown Oak Foundation also designs and delivers its own seminars and symposia—carefully curated around the themes that matter most to us. By leading our own initiatives, we ensure that every detail aligns with our values, and that outcomes are fully focused, purposeful, and measurable.
Our dedicated team handles every aspect of these events, from concept to logistics to delivery, creating high-impact experiences that inform, inspire, and ignite action.
We warmly welcome collaboration. Foundations and partners who share our vision are invited to join us—either as silent supporters or as active members of the planning and delivery team. Together, we can shape conversations that matter and create space for ideas to flourish.
Launching with Purpose:
Inspiring change in Senior Care
Our Inaugural Seminar – October 2025
We believe that lasting change begins with shared experience and bold ideas. That’s why Crown Oak Foundation was proud to launch our work with a powerful 5-day seminar for key professionals & senior carers at the world-renowned Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands — a place that has redefined dignity, community, and quality of life for people living with dementia.
This was more than a seminar — it was an immersive journey. Participants had not only seen the model in action but also learnt directly from local professionals who have pioneered its success.
Attendees were able to exchange experiences and co-create new plans to transform their own services back home. The result? Practical, inspired strategies rooted in proven best practice — and infused with the creativity that comes from global collaboration. This is one of the paths which Crown Oak Foundation is taking forward.
Our Board & Team
Crown Oak Foundation is guided by a dedicated volunteer board—individuals who not only lead with purpose but give from the heart. As a family foundation, our roots are deeply personal: board members contribute their time, expertise, and personal resources to bring our mission to life.
In addition to internal support, the foundation is backed by an external capital fund, enabling us to extend our reach and impact through thoughtful, long-term investments in people, ideas, and partnerships.
Our board’s approach is hands-on and values-driven. From strategic direction to program design, they play an active role in shaping the foundation’s work while upholding transparency, integrity, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.
Our Board
In addition to our here below named board members, Crown Oak Foundation is also supported by individuals who choose to contribute quietly, without public recognition. These anonymous supporters play a vital role in our work—offering strategic input, financial backing, and personal commitment behind the scenes.
We deeply respect their preference for privacy and are grateful for their unwavering belief in our mission.
Their silent generosity helps us move with purpose, humility, and strength.
Senior team
Mariano A Schlimovich
Executive Vice President
Mariano brings over 30 years of experience in the field of not for profits, with proved leadership in education, community development, capacity building, and social welfare to his role as Executive Vice President at the Crown Oak Foundation. Originally from Argentina, he began his journey in cultural and community work with Jewish Community Centers and through involvement in the Conservative and Liberal movements.
Fluent in English, French, Spanish, Hebrew, and Italian, he has dedicated his career to creating and delivering innovative projects across Europe bringing on board of his projects several foundations and private donors.
Most recently, Mariano served as Executive Director of the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC), where he oversaw programs in Jewish education, welfare, community engagement, and youth work. Based near Bologna, he frequently travels across Europe and US to learn what are the new challenges in the field and to strengthen potential new partnerships for the Foundation’s programs
At Crown Oak, Mariano uses his strategic insight, multicultural background, and operational expertise to shape and deliver innovative philanthropic initiatives. His commitment to collaboration, ethical leadership, and measurable impact ensures our investments truly resonate and drive lasting change.
How We fund change
At Crown Oak Foundation, we believe in meeting changemakers where they are—whether they’re just getting started or scaling proven solutions. Our funding strategy is built around four dynamic grant categories, each designed to spark innovation, support growth, and amplify impact. We don’t just fund ideas—we help cultivate lasting change.
Our grants
Our next call for grants will be made public on January 2026
Seed Grants for Young Innovators
Amount: Up to €10,000
Eligibility: Individuals aged 25–40
Purpose: To pilot sustainable, socially impactful ideas that are ready to be tested in the real world.
We believe that the boldest ideas often begin with a single spark. Our Seed Grants are tailored for emerging leaders who want to explore new ways to tackle social and environmental challenges. From tech prototypes to grassroots solutions, this is where innovation begins.
Example initiative:
– Funding a mobile app that helps households reduce food waste
– Supporting a digital inclusion platform that connects isolated seniors with virtual communities and services
Project-Specific Grants
Purpose: To support focused, high-impact initiatives with a clear scope and timeline—whether artistic, academic, or community-driven.
These grants are for individuals or organizations ready to bring a defined project to life. Whether you’re telling powerful stories through film, facilitating dialogue at a conference, or building skills through workshops, we’re here to help your vision take shape.
Example initiative:
– Producing a documentary on climate resilience
– Organizing a symposium on innovative care for Mental Health caregivers and professionals
– Piloting an innovative community solution on a small scale
Operational Grants
Purpose: To strengthen nonprofit infrastructure, leadership, and sustainability so they can deepen and expand their mission.
Requirement: Strong alignment with Crown Oak’s core values and thematic priorities.
Our Operational Grants support the engine behind the work—teams, systems, and strategies that drive long-term impact. These grants are ideal for nonprofits looking to grow responsibly, increase their capacity, and continue delivering effective, ethical, and inclusive programs.
Example initiative:
– Helping a not for profit that supports education scale its leadership training program across new regions
Partnership Grants
Purpose: To co-invest alongside other institutions in high-impact initiatives that benefit from collective action and resource-sharing.
When missions align, we believe in working together to go further. Our Partnership Grants enable strategic collaboration with other funders, businesses, or NGOs to scale proven ideas, share resources, and multiply results.
Example initiative:
– Matching an IT Company’s donation of refurbished computers to create a digital lab for students in a rural community
Let’s fund change together
Each grant category reflects our belief that no one-size-fits-all solution exists for driving progress. Whether you’re experimenting, launching, growing, or collaborating, Crown Oak is here to walk alongside you.
Ready to apply? Visit our Grant Application Portal ( soon online) to learn more about our Eligibility & Process by writing a short description of your idea to hello@crownoak.org.
We Grow Together
At Crown Oak Foundation, we believe that meaningful change starts with bold ideas, courageous people, and the support to turn vision into reality. Whether you’re innovating at the grassroots or scaling systemic solutions, we’re here to champion your journey. Together, let’s spark transformation, celebrate shared progress, and build a future rooted in equity, creativity, and impact. The seeds of change are already here—let’s grow them, together.
