Oxfam America

Oxfam America is the United States arm of the international aid and adovcacy group Oxfam International, which advocates for expanded international aid programs worldwide. ¹ Oxfam America’s programs focus on humanitarian aid, international development, and climate change. ²

Oxfam America advocates for a left-of-center agenda ³ that cites inequality as a catchall justification to support left-leaning domestic taxation, ⁴ climate policies, ⁵ immigration policies, ⁶ and labor policies ⁷ among other things. Moreover, the group promotes the concept of “global citizenship” ³ which serves as a basis for its advocacy regarding federal spending on foreign aid, ⁸ international institutions that can override national policy, ⁹ and social justice trade deals which would sacrifice market demands for the reduction of global poverty, turning global trade into an economic redistribution program. ¹⁰ Oxfam has supported a petition opposing the use of emissions free nuclear energy. ¹¹

Oxfam America boasts that it does not take U.S. Government grants, but other Oxfam organizations in its international network have received nearly $100 million in U.S. government grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). ¹²

Oxfam America has campaigned in opposition to the second Trump administration cutting funding for the USAID. In January 2026, it published a blog post responding to the administration and Congress’s claims that the funding was cut because it was the subject of “waste, fraud, and abuse” by arguing that the funding should continue because of surveys that allegedly show Americans support foreign aid spending. It also argued that every 40 seconds a child under the age of five will die due to the USAID budget cuts. ¹³

Oxfam America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit associated with the 501(c)(4) social welfare organization Oxfam America Advocacy Fund.

Organizational Overview

In 1942, a group of Quaker intellectuals, social activists, and Oxford academics formed the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief in response to the plight of refugees in Greece. ¹ As the situation in Europe improved, Oxfam’s attention shifted to address the needs of people in developing countries. ¹

Funded by loans from Oxfam Great Britain, a group of volunteers founded Oxfam America in 1970. ¹ Originally located in Washington, D.C., Oxfam America relocated to Boston in 1973. ¹

Oxfam America has eight offices, with its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts; its policy and campaigns office in Washington, D.C., and six foreign offices. ¹⁴ As of February 2026, there were 22 affiliates in the international Oxfam network that were operating in over 70 countries, and the network had over 2,500 partner organizations. ¹⁵

Advocacy Agenda

Oxfam America’s social justice campaigns program is the group’s main U.S. advocacy operation through which it lobbies Congress and the executive branch; creates “action-oriented research”; organizes briefings, conferences, and speaker tours; issues reports; and conducts outreach to advocate for its policy preferences. ¹⁶

Oxfam America’s current “values” statement emphasizes three liberal policy areas: “inequality,” “climate change,” and “threats to minorities, refugees, and immigrants.” ³

According to Oxfam America’s website, it prioritizes environmental, economic, racial-equity, and feminist advocacy. ¹⁷ It also states that humanitarian aid is a priority while including refugee and immigration advocacy as components of its humanitarian aid work. ¹⁸

Heroes for Hope

In 1985, Marvel Comics published the comic book Heroes for Hope to raise money for East African famine relief, and initially intended to give the proceeds to Oxfam America. However, Oxfam America demanded to review the book before accepting the donation and eventually rejected the publication, saying the book “was unbelievably offensive” and that the people of Marvel Comics “were racist, sexist, and reprehensible,” according to former Marvel Comics senior editor Jim Shooter. ¹⁹

A representative of Oxfam America visited Marvel Comics to urge the company not to publish the comic. While there, the representative bragged about how Oxfam America and other charitable groups were raising awareness about the famine in Africa. “This Oxfam America fellow, let’s call him Midas, just plain gushed about how good for business the East African famine was, how donations were rolling in at record levels. He talked about the millions dying as if it were a great marketing opportunity,” Shooter wrote. Marvel Comics eventually donated more than $500,000 to the Quaker-affiliated American Friends Service Committee from the proceeds of the comic book instead. ¹⁹

Environmentalism

Oxfam America has taken left-wing environmentalist positions. Oxfam researchers has opposed the Keystone Pipeline, ²⁰ coal ²¹ and oil-based energy generation, ²² and proclaimed that President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement demonstrated “an unconscionable abstention of moral leadership.” ²³

Oxfam America’s environmental advocacy is based on the idea that “wealthy polluters” must be held responsible for alleged threats of climate catastrophes and that the solution to the pollution is to transition to weather-dependent energy. It also promotes the idea that requiring “wealthy” nations and people to end conventional energy use is a human rights issue. As a result, Oxfam America advocates for increased taxes that would reinvest the funds in weather-dependent energy and for America to subsidize weather-dependent energy in low-income countries. It also advocates that energy transitions follow feminist and critical race theory priorities. ²⁴

In 2009, Oxfam America began campaigning in Cambodia to advocate government regulation of the mining and oil industries. By 2013, it operated two environmental advocacy campaigns that opposed mining named Cambodians for Resource Revenue Transparency and the Extractive Industries Social and Environmental Impact Network. Both campaigns oppose Western energy and mining companies conducting natural resource exploration in Cambodia. ²⁵

Opposition to Nuclear Energy

Oxfam was one of more than 650 signatories on an August 2022 letter organized by People vs Fossil Fuels and addressed to the “Democratic Leadership” in Congress. The letter was titled: “Opposition to Fossil Fuel Project Approvals and Permitting Reforms Conditioned on the Inflation Reduction Act.” ¹¹

The letter portrayed as “false solutions” carbon sequestration, carbon-free nuclear energy and all sources of energy not approved as “renewable” by the signatories: “Relying only on large scale investments in renewable energy and environmental justice alone will not stave off climate disaster if Congress simultaneously puts its legislative foot on the gas to expand fossil fuel production and false solutions like carbon capture, hydrogen, biomass, biofuels, factory farm gas, and nuclear power.” ¹¹

Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and as of 2021 accounted for 20 percent of American electricity production—the largest source of zero carbon electricity in the United States. ²⁶ An October 2018 proposal from The Nature Conservancy noted that zero-carbon nuclear plants produced 7.8 percent of total world energy output and recommended reducing carbon emissions by increasing nuclear capacity to 33 percent of total world energy output. ²⁷

Immigration Policy

Oxfam America’s webpage titled, “Immigrant and Refugee Rights,” states that the United States “has a responsibility” to fund foreign aid programs for immigrants and refugees globally, to “rebuild” its asylum programs, and to offer resettlement in the U.S. to immigrants deemed vulnerable. It also advocates for the U.S. to intervene in global conflicts to promote diplomacy, and it advocates that the U.S. to intervene in alleged “human rights abuses.” ²⁸

Oxfam has promoted the idea that at least 75,000 refugees should be allowed into the United States per year ²⁹ and called on the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down President Trump’s executive action limiting nationals of certain countries from entering the United States. ³⁰ Similarly, Oxfam America called President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted legal status to certain classes of illegal immigrants by executive fiat, “morally obtuse.” ⁶ Oxfam also claimed that the U.S. was “deporting Central Americans back to their deaths,” advocating instead for an increase to the $750 billion Central America aid spending package in 2016. ³¹

Economic Policy

Oxfam America argued that President Trump’s 2017 budget proposal, which included tax cuts, “abandon[ed] the poor for the sake of the wealthy.” ⁴ The group has also called for the implementation of a multi-billion dollar financial transaction tax worldwide ³² and the creation of a “global tax body” that would have the power to undercut national sovereignty over tax policy. ³³ Oxfam has also advocated for progressive corporate tax rates “that contribute to the collective good.” ³³

Oxfam America argued that it is no longer true that hard work is enough to support a family, and has called for an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, paid sick leave, expanding employer overtime compensation mandates, and an expansion of socialized worker handouts. ⁷ Oxfam has voiced criticisms of President Trump’s labor-related budget proposals ³⁴ and opposed Andrew Puzder’s unsuccessful nomination for Secretary of Labor. ³⁵

In 2020, Oxfam America and the treasurer’s offices of Vermont and Rhode Island called for Amazon to put an hourly worker on its board to achieve greater representation. Sarah Zoen, senior policy adviser for Oxfam’s private-sector engagement department, said, “Amazon has developed a reputation for running workers ragged, leaving hourly associates –disproportionately people of color – overworked and underpaid.” ³⁶

To address wealth inequality, Oxfam America advocates for wealth redistribution, publicly funded goods, socialized income, socialized health care, and government-sponsored employment. ³⁷ It has also hosted petitions demanding for billionaire-specific taxes to fund public programs while also condemning wealthy persons for influencing public policy. ³⁸

Feminist Advocacy

Oxfam America incorporates feminist ideology in its advocacy and programming, arguing that women are systemically exploited and excluded from economic systems due to violence and poverty as a result of a global “patriarchy.” It adds that transgender, nonbinary, and other LGBT people are also subjected to the same “oppression” women face, so it advocates for the LGBT community when promoting feminist ideology. Lastly, Oxfam America is critical of masculinity, what it finds to be “harmful gender stereotypes,” and is critical of the role of men in positions of authority. ³⁹

In support of its feminist agenda, Oxfam America advocates for publicly funded caregiver programs, mandated paid leave policies, labor policies that require equal pay across genders, and increased taxes to fund social programs and caregiver programs. ³⁹

Oxfam America’s “Sisters on the Planet” is a program that consists of over 200 current and former members of the United States Congress, business leaders, religious leaders, and academic leaders. Its members promote Oxfam America’s feminist advocacy in their fields, incorporating feminist advocacy while addressing economic, racial, environmental, humanitarian, and gender issues. ⁴⁰

Controversies

Credibility Issues

Oxfam America has often faced claims that their research and advocacy efforts are tenuous and unrepresentative of the truth.

In early 2017, Columnist Fraser Nelson wrote that Oxfam America uses statistical tricks to pitch a “punchy wealth inequality” narrative that suits their fundraising needs without mentioning the fact that “global inequality is narrowing, fast” due to capitalism. ⁴¹

Similarly, Adam Smith Institute fellow Tim Worstall argued that Oxfam America’s published reports about corporate tax dodging failed to account for the different tax statuses of corporations, skewing the data. ⁴²

Israel-Palestine Controversy

In 2014, Oxfam’s overseas organization came under fire when Jewish-American actress Scarlett Johansson quit her role as an ambassador for the organization after it criticized her for endorsing SodaStream, a soda company located in Israel’s West Bank. ⁴³

The national committee of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement had urged Oxfam to end its relationship with Johansson ⁴⁴ and Oxfam claimed that it was illegal for the business to operate in the Israeli settlement. ⁴⁵

After leaving Oxfam, Johansson alleged that the organization supported and funded a group tied to BDS, which the charity denies. She said:

“I think for a non-governmental organisation to be supporting something that’s a political cause… something feels not right about that to me. There’s plenty of evidence that Oxfam does support and has funded a BDS movement in the past. It’s something that can’t really be denied.” ⁴⁶

In December 2016, only after losing thousands of donors, Oxfam admitted that it had made a mistake in the dispute with Johansson. ⁴³

documents from 2021 revealed that Oxfam America funded an infrastructure project in Gaza through a “Hamas-linked local group” that it claims “contributed to Hamas military preparations.” The funding in question was for a water project in a “security sensitive” area along the Gaza border that provided irrigation for fruit trees that it reports also were used as cover for Hamas military operations. ⁴⁷

Following the October 2025 Israel-Gaza ceasefire, Oxfam America launched a petition that celebrated the decrease in violence. It also describes the agreed prisoner exchanges as involving “Israeli hostages” and “unlawfully detained Palestinian prisoners.” The petition also accused the Israeli government of blocking aid from entering Gaza and petitions President Trump to send aid to Gaza. ⁴⁸

International Organzations

Oxfam America opposes the “America First” message associated with the political campaigns of president Donald Trump and claims that any message of American prioritization is tantamount to “moral poverty” because it presents a “false choice” between being American or being “human.” ³ Oxfam America instead calls for “global citizenship” and works to “advance the cause of justice-driven internationalism” through its variety of programs. ³

Oxfam America supports international agreements that exert dominion over U.S. domestic law. In 2015, Oxfam America’s climate change policy manager penned an op-ed for Al Jazeera America expressing support for an international climate deal that “hopefully” would increase climate-related payments to poor countries and would mandate deep reduction in emissions. ⁹ Further, Oxfam America condemned President Trump for placing American energy production at a higher priority than combating climate change. ⁴⁹ Similarly, in 2013, Oxfam America ran ads in support of an arms trade treaty, which American gun-rights groups such as the National Rifle Association opposed due to fears it would lead to international restrictions on private firearm ownership. ⁵⁰

In 2017, Oxfam America advocated for industrialized nations, including America, to fully fund the United Nations’ request for an additional $6.3 billion in humanitarian funds for African nations. ⁵¹

Finances

In 2024, Oxfam America reported $75.3 million in total revenue, none of which came in the form of government grants. ⁵² It also reported $80.0 million in total expenses, including $33.2 million in salaries and compensation of employees and $19.4 million in foreign grants. ⁵³

Funding

Oxfam America has received grants from several wealthy liberal private foundations. As of February 2026, the Gates Foundation, formerly the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had given over 55 grants to Oxfam America worth over $115.8 million in total. ^{54 55 56 57 58} In 2024, the Gates Foundation made over $3.2 million in grants to Oxfam America. ⁵⁹

The Rockefeller Foundation provided Oxfam America with a $500,000 grant for climate issues. ^{60 61} Additionally, the Hewlett Foundation provided Oxfam America with over a million dollars, ⁶² the MacArthur Foundation gave Oxfam America $3,176,000 between 1978 and 2017, ⁶³ and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation provided five grants from 2015 to 2017 for a total of $890,000. ⁶⁴

George Soros donated $273,585 to Oxfam America in 2013 to support the group’s climate agenda. ⁶⁵

Oxfam America proclaims that it does not accept U.S. government grant money. ^1 66 However, a review of government spending records revealed that since 2008, Oxfam organizations have taken nearly $100 million in U.S. federal grants. ¹² For example, in 2016, Oxfam GB received $7.7 million in U.S. federal grants, and in 2017 Oxfam received over $14 million in grants from U.S. Agency for International Development. ¹² In 2019 Oxfam Intermon, a Spanish affiliate, received $2.4 million from USAID for work in the Central African Republic.⁶⁷

Further, on Oxfam America’s 2016 annual report the organization indicates that it received 6.9 percent of its $79.4 million in revenue from “other Oxfam Affiliates,”⁶⁸; similarly, according to the organization’s 2017 annual report, the group received 3.8 percent of it $83 million in revenues from other Oxfam organizations. ⁶⁹

People

Abby Maxman is currently the president of Oxfam America and has been with Oxfam America since the start of 2017. ⁷⁰ Prior to her work at Oxfam America, she served as deputy secretary general of CARE International in Geneva and has also worked with the U.S. Peace Corps, the U.S. EPA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ⁷⁰

As of 2026, Jamey Shachoy was the board chair of Oxfam America, a position he had served in since 2023. He was a board member since 2017. He is also a partner of HandUp US, Argon Ventures, August West LLC, and is a seed investor of Photon Vault. ⁷¹