The Elpis Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $270,000 - $300,000 (recent years)
• Total Assets: $9.1 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no open application process
• Decision Time: Not applicable - trustee discretion
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $50,000+ (based on historical data)
• Geographic Focus: Tulsa, Oklahoma area and select national organizations

Contact Details

Address: 6800 S Granite Ave #306, Tulsa, OK 74136

Phone: (918) 630-2600

EIN: 20-2033062

Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation (501(c)(3))

Overview

The Elpis Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2005 in Oklahoma, with IRS ruling year 2006. The foundation is governed by the Nikkel family, with John G. Nikkel serving as both donor and trustee. With total assets of approximately $9.1 million as of 2024, the foundation makes annual charitable disbursements ranging from $270,000 to $300,000. The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation, contributing only to pre-selected organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation's investment-based funding model relies primarily on dividends and asset sales to generate resources for grantmaking. Recent data shows the foundation made 13 grants in 2023, focusing primarily on Christian education, Protestant churches, housing/shelter for the homeless, and international ministry work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Elpis Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with application cycles. Instead, grants are made through trustee discretion to pre-selected organizations.

Recent Grant Amounts (2023):

• Metro Christian Academy: $40,000
• Kansas City Christian School: $30,000
• Elam Ministries: $30,000
• Additional grants ranging from $15,000 - $50,000

Historical Grants (2007):

• Southern Hills Baptist Church, Tulsa: $50,000
• Fellowship Bible Church, Tulsa: $35,000
• Day Spring Villa, Sand Springs, OK: $15,000

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and stated focus areas, the foundation supports:

• Christian Education: Primary and secondary Christian schools, scholarship funds for students training for Christian ministry at institutions selected by the foundation
• Protestant Churches: Local churches and church-related ministries in the Tulsa area
• Housing and Homeless Services: Organizations providing shelter and housing assistance
• International Ministries: Christian evangelism and church-planting work, particularly Elam Ministries' work in Iran and the Middle East
• Higher Education: Support for select educational institutions

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (grants are made only to organizations)
• Organizations outside their pre-selected network
• General operating support for organizations not already in relationship with the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• John G. Nikkel (Donor and Trustee)
• Carole A. Nikkel (Trustee)
• Robert E. Nikkel (Trustee)
• Melody A. McSparran (Trustee)

Background: John G. Nikkel is the former Chairman and CEO of Unit Corporation, a Tulsa-based energy company. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer starting in 1983, was elected CEO in 2001, and served as Chairman of the Board from 2003 until his retirement in December 2016. The foundation reflects the family's commitment to Christian values and local community support.

Staff: The foundation operates with no full-time employees, maintaining a lean administrative structure typical of family foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made through trustee discretion based on the family's charitable interests and existing relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. Grant decisions are made by trustees on their own timeline based on their selection of organizations to support.

Application Success Factors

Given that this is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

• Christian Mission: All documented grant recipients have explicitly Christian missions or purposes
• Educational Focus: Strong preference for Christian schools and theological training programs
• Local Connection: Many recipients are Tulsa-area organizations, though the foundation does support select national and international ministries
• Established Organizations: Grant recipients tend to be well-established organizations with proven track records
• Alignment with Conservative Christian Values: Protestant churches, Christian schools, and evangelical ministries form the core of the foundation's giving

Organizations similar to current grant recipients - Christian educational institutions, Protestant churches in Tulsa, ministries serving the homeless, and evangelical mission organizations - appear most aligned with the foundation's interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Open Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and contributes only to pre-selected organizations
• Family Foundation Model: Decisions are made by family trustees based on their personal charitable interests
• Christian Focus: All documented grants support Christian education, churches, or ministries
• Significant Grant Sizes: Individual grants typically range from $15,000 to $50,000, making them substantial awards
• Local and Global Mix: While many grants support Tulsa-area organizations, the foundation also funds select national and international Christian ministries
• Relationship-Based: The foundation appears to support organizations with which trustees have existing relationships or knowledge
• Mission-Driven: Recipients align closely with conservative Protestant Christian values and evangelical mission work

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Elpis Foundation (EIN 20-2033062): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/202033062 - Accessed February 4, 2026
2. Charity Navigator Profile - Elpis Foundation: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/202033062 - Accessed February 4, 2026
3. Cause IQ - The Elpis Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-elpis-foundation,202033062/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
4. GuideStar Profile - Elpis Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-2033062 - Accessed February 4, 2026
5. Foundation Directory Online - The Elpis Foundation (ELPI001): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=ELPI001 - Accessed February 4, 2026
6. Here-4-You Consulting - Elpis Foundation Directory: https://npfunds.com/directory/elpis-foundation-the/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
7. Business Wire - Unit Corporation Announces Retirement of John Nikkel: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161219005317/en/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
8. Elam Ministries Official Website: https://www.elam.com/ - Accessed February 4, 2026