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Hardesty Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.1M
Grant Range
$500K - $2.0M

Hardesty Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,098,684 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (Invitation-only process)
  • Decision Time: Board meets periodically (next meeting February 2026)
  • Grant Range: $500,000 - $2,000,000+ (based on recent awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding areas

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hardestyfamilyfoundation.org/
Phone: 918-585-3100
Address: Tulsa, OK

Organizations selected for a grant cycle are notified by email and can access an online grants portal to continue submissions.

Overview

The Hardesty Family Foundation was established in 2005 by F. Roger Hardesty, founder and CEO of United States Aviation Co., and his wife Donna J. Hardesty. The foundation is currently directed by their daughter Michelle Hardesty as executive director, with son Connor serving as a board member. Operating as a general-purpose private foundation, the Hardesty Family Foundation focuses primarily on large capital grants for building construction and renovation projects in the Tulsa area. In 2023, the foundation distributed $6,098,684 in grants to organizations across various sectors. The foundation has funded over 31 projects, many of which come with naming rights. The family operates according to the guiding principle: "If you can dream, you can achieve."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses exclusively on capital campaigns and large-scale infrastructure projects in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Recent and upcoming projects indicate grant amounts ranging from $500,000 to over $2 million for major facilities. All grants are awarded through an invitation-only process with no fixed deadlines.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations, schools, and exempt entities across multiple sectors including:

  • Arts & Culture: Museums, cultural centers, performing arts facilities (e.g., Hardesty Archival Center at Gilcrease Museum)
  • Animal Welfare: Zoo exhibits and animal care facilities (e.g., Tulsa Zoo's Hardesty Snow Leopard Exhibit, Tulsa Zoo Giraffe Encounter opening 2026)
  • Education: Universities and educational institutions (e.g., Hardesty Hall at Tulsa University)
  • Health & Wellness: Mental health, addiction recovery, developmental/intellectual/physical challenges (e.g., Little Light House Hardesty Therapy Garden, Family Safety Center Hardesty Wellness Center)
  • Healthcare Research: Medical research institutions (e.g., over $2 million to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)
  • Workforce Development: Job training and employment programs
  • Civic Projects & Court Reform: Community safety and justice system improvements (e.g., Tulsa Police Air Support Hardesty Hangar opening 2025)
  • Community Services: Food banks, senior services, homeless services (e.g., Food on the Move Hardesty Family Community Corner, John 3:16 Mission Hardesty Renew Building, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma)
  • Nature & Environmental: Conservation and environmental education
  • Libraries: Public and educational library facilities
  • Aviation: Aviation-related projects reflecting the founder's industry background

What They Don't Fund

  • Start-up ventures without established track records
  • Organizations without substantial community backing
  • Operating expenses (capital campaigns only)
  • Projects outside the Tulsa metropolitan area (grants outside this region are rare)
  • Unsolicited applications from unknown organizations

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

F. Roger Hardesty - Founder
Founder and CEO of United States Aviation Co. Established the foundation with his wife Donna in 2005.

Donna J. Hardesty - Co-Founder

Michelle Hardesty - Executive Director
Daughter of Roger and Donna Hardesty. Michelle emphasizes the importance of vision combined with sustained effort in philanthropy, stating: "Work hard and don't veer from the mission." On the foundation's priorities, she notes: "OMRF impacts the whole state. We want to make our community safer, healthier and a better place to live."

Connor Hardesty - Board Member
Son of Roger and Donna, also serves as a pilot. Connor emphasizes maintaining philanthropic support across generations, noting that "giving to OMRF improves the health of Oklahoma" and ensuring the family's legacy continues.

The foundation represents a growing family tree of two children and three grandchildren who together make up the Hardesty Family Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hardesty Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are awarded through an invitation-only process where projects are hand-selected by the Board.

Process Overview:

  1. The foundation Board identifies projects that align with their interests
  2. If a project captures the Board's attention, they will request a letter of intent
  3. Only after reviewing the letter of intent will the Board extend an invitation to submit a full application
  4. Organizations selected for a grant cycle are notified by email
  5. Invited applicants can access an online grants portal to continue their submission

Getting on Their Radar

The Hardesty Family Foundation specifically seeks organizations with substantial community backing before considering funding. While there is no public application process, the foundation's pattern suggests they become aware of projects through:

Established Presence in Tulsa: The foundation's 31+ funded projects span major Tulsa institutions (Tulsa Zoo, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa University, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation), indicating they track significant capital campaigns by established organizations in their geographic area.

Board Connections: As a private family foundation, projects that come to the Board's attention through their business, civic, and philanthropic networks in Tulsa are more likely to be considered.

Major Capital Campaigns: The foundation focuses on large-scale capital projects. Organizations launching significant capital campaigns with broad community support may naturally come to the foundation's attention through the Tulsa philanthropic community.

Naming Opportunities: Many funded projects include naming rights (Hardesty Hall, Hardesty Archival Center, Hardesty Snow Leopard Exhibit), suggesting the foundation is interested in legacy gifts tied to significant facilities.

Decision Timeline

The foundation Board meets periodically to review projects. The next scheduled Board Meeting is February 10, 2026. Specific timelines from initial contact to decision are not publicly disclosed and likely vary based on the project scope and the foundation's engagement timeline.

Success Rates

Success rates are not applicable as this is an invitation-only foundation. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications, so there is no traditional success rate metric.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, there is no formal reapplication process. Organizations that have received grants in the past may be considered for future projects if they align with Board interests.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature, the following factors increase the likelihood of being considered:

Substantial Community Backing: The foundation explicitly states they seek "organizations that have substantial community backing." Broad community support significantly increases approval likelihood. This is a critical requirement for consideration.

Established Track Record: The foundation "does not consider funding for start-up ventures." Organizations must demonstrate established operations and proven impact.

Capital Campaign Focus: The foundation exclusively funds capital projects—building construction, renovation, and major infrastructure. Operating expenses and program funding are not supported.

Geographic Connection: Projects must be in Tulsa or the immediate surrounding area. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in improving the Tulsa community.

Scale and Visibility: Recent grants ($500,000 to $2+ million) and naming rights suggest the foundation prefers transformational gifts to significant projects rather than smaller contributions.

Mission Alignment with Family Values: The foundation's philosophy "If you can dream, you can achieve" combined with Michelle Hardesty's guidance to "work hard and don't veer from the mission" suggests they value organizations with clear vision and sustained commitment to their purpose.

Community Impact: As Michelle Hardesty states about OMRF: "OMRF impacts the whole state. We want to make our community safer, healthier and a better place to live." Projects that demonstrate broad community benefit are prioritized.

Multi-Generational Appeal: Connor Hardesty's emphasis on ensuring "the family's legacy of bettering lives continues for future generations" suggests projects that create lasting impact may resonate with the foundation's values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - you cannot submit a proposal unless invited by the Board
  • Build community support first - substantial community backing is a stated requirement and the primary factor in the Board's consideration
  • Focus on capital projects only - this foundation exclusively funds building construction and renovation, not operating expenses or programs
  • Establish your organization before seeking funding - start-ups without track records are explicitly excluded
  • Think large and transformational - recent grants range from $500,000 to over $2 million for major facilities
  • Geographic focus matters - must be in Tulsa or immediately surrounding areas
  • Naming opportunities may be available - many funded projects include named spaces (halls, exhibits, centers) honoring the Hardesty family
  • Align with their values - demonstrate clear vision, sustained mission commitment, and broad community impact

References

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