The Girl
The Earth was blessed with Oaklei Grace’s presence in May of 2014. From the very beginning, Oaklei’s life was marked by resilience. Born into a home plagued by domestic abuse, she was thrust into turmoil not of her making. With her grandparents’ steadfast support, Oaklei’s mother raised her in a haven of love that kept the surrounding turmoil at bay and preserved her privacy. Oaklei is a bright, radiant soul with a laugh that lights up the room and a kindness far beyond her years.
The Heartache
Oaklei Grace was exposed to repeated acts of domestic violence at the hands of her biological father during her early years. She witnessed her mother endure violent physical assault, including being choked, spat on, and unjustly imprisoned. Although she ultimately escaped the abuse, Oaklei has continued to be used as a pawn in multiple highly public conflicts at the hands of her absentee father, leaving much of the local community aware of Oaklei’s situation through no fault of her own.
The Legacy
The Oaklei Fund was established not only to protect Oaklei, but to celebrate the light and joy she brings to a world that hasn’t always treated her kindly. Our mission is to give her the stable foundation she deserves as she enters adulthood, free from the burdens of circumstances she never chose. All donated funds will be gifted to Oaklei on her 18th birthday, along with a collection of messages from donors. Our hope is that, when that day comes, she’ll see just how deeply she is valued, and how the support and love from her community far outweigh the negativity, empowering her to step confidently into the life she chooses to build.
How can I make a donation to The Oaklei Fund?
For transparency and convenience, The Oaklei Fund uses GoFundMe as its official fundraising platform. GoFundMe is a widely trusted platform that supports multiple secure payment methods, including PayPal, credit cards, and Apple Pay. Donations can also include a personal note. To contribute, please click here.
What happens to my donation after it’s made?
Donations are withdrawn from GoFundMe on a monthly basis and temporarily held in a secure savings account. Funds are then transferred into recurring 12-month certificates of deposit (CDs) with an average interest rate of 4.5%, allowing the charity to grow its resources responsibly. Annual financial statements will be published for transparency, and the total amount raised will remain visible on our GoFundMe page.
Are donations to The Oaklei Fund tax deductible?
No. The Oaklei Fund is a personal fundraiser and not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are considered personal gifts under IRS guidelines. This means they are not tax deductible for donors, and they are not considered taxable income for the recipient. Donors will not receive a tax receipt, and the funds are not subject to income tax when dispersed.
How else can I help?
We strongly encourage you to include a personal note of support alongside your donation. All messages received will be preserved and presented to Oaklei when she receives the charity funds, offering lasting emotional encouragement. Additionally, we’re proud to partner with the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing free resources to families, schools, and communities, making kindness part of everyday life. Become a RAKtivist and help spread kindness by visiting their official website.
Every year in the U.S., more than 550,000 children suffer verified abuse or neglect, and tragically, nearly five die daily from maltreatment without your help. Many children grow up in homes of violence or instability where exposure to trauma dramatically increases the chances of dropping out of school, battling mental illness, turning to substance use, or ending up in the criminal justice system. Alone, these young lives are odds stacked against them, but with community care and financial support, everything changes. Programs like mentoring initiatives and early interventions reduce child abuse rates by up to 50% and lead to significantly improved outcomes: higher graduation rates, better self-esteem, and stronger emotional resilience.
Yet astonishingly, only 1%–4% of people who read fundraising campaigns actually donate, meaning most people scroll past, hoping someone else will help. But Oaklei’s future can’t wait. For just a few dollars and a minute of your time, you can break this cycle of trauma. You can set up a one‑time gift, or even better, a small monthly recurring donation, and watch it grow inside an interest‑bearing CD. The sooner you give, the more it grows by her 18th birthday, giving Oaklei the chance for counseling, education, housing, or any opportunity to build a life free of violence.
97% of your donation immediately begins working toward securing a brighter future for Oaklei Grace. GoFundMe deducts a modest 3% fee per donation, which we fully offset by investing your contribution. By Oaklei’s 18th birthday, your gift will have grown beyond your original donation; all without any additional effort from you. Every other cost and fee associated with this fundraiser is generously covered by a private group of individual sponsors, ensuring that 100% of your contribution directly benefits Oaklei when she needs it most.
It takes almost zero effort: donate online once, or commit to a modest amount monthly, and your gift quietly compounds. What costs you so little now will mean the world to Oaklei tomorrow. Don’t let inaction be the reason she’s trapped by her past. Your donation, even small, says: I see you, and I’m not leaving you behind.