Hardesty Family Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 20-4094088 · since 2006hardestyfamilyfoundation.org·Tulsa·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$6.8M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$500 to $85,500

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$15,000

Typical grant (median)

128 grants in the latest filing

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.

Key takeaways

Hardesty Family Foundation is a Tulsa, OK-based foundation whose priority is the Tulsa area, so nonprofits working there with a fit to its themes of arts, animal welfare, workforce development, civic projects, mental health and wellness, recreation, addiction recovery, or yoga and mindfulness meditation are best placed to approach it.
Most grants are modest: about 8 in 10 of its 364 grants fell between $500 and $85,500, with a median of $15,000, so a request in that range is realistic, even though the largest grant was around $2,000,000.
The Foundation operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, though it may ask for a letter of intent before inviting a full application, and organisations may email a prospective proposal first for help selecting a focus area.
It appears relationship-led and fairly concentrated in its giving, with 81% of grant dollars in its most recent filing going to organisations it had also funded in the prior two years, so building a connection and demonstrating strong community support matters.
Organisations without 501(c)(3) status, start-up ventures, and those seeking support for fundraising events or lobbying and political activities should not apply, as the Foundation excludes these.

Overview

Hardesty Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Tulsa, OK.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports Tulsa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisations, with its focus primarily limited to the Tulsa area and a mission of addressing essential human needs and improving quality of life across Oklahoma. It provides general operating, programmatic and capital grants, and capital campaigns are its major focus. Its stated fields include arts, animal welfare, workforce development and civic projects, alongside mental health and wellness, recreation and addiction recovery. Yoga and mindfulness meditation are also identified as a signature programme. The Foundation prioritises organisations with strong community support; applications are by invitation only.

Themes

Arts
Animal welfare
Workforce development
Civic projects
Mental health and wellness
Recreation
Addiction recovery

Geographic Focus

Priority: Tulsa area.

What They Don't Fund

Fundraising events
Lobbying or political endeavors
Organizations that do not have their 501(c)3 status
Start-up ventures

How to apply

If a project captures the Board’s attention, it may request a letter of intent before extending an invitation to apply.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 81% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 364 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

Projects should align with the Board’s interests and the Foundation’s giving guidelines.
Strong community support increases the likelihood of grant approval.
Organisations may email prospective proposals before submission for help selecting a focus area.
Staff may request a site visit or meeting; this indicates interest but does not signify likely approval.
Grantees are expected to maintain ongoing communication so the Foundation can monitor the use and effect of awards.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Oklahoma98%

Arizona<1%

Colorado<1%

Kansas<1%

Texas<1%

Georgia<1%

6 other states: <1%

The largest single recipient received 12% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to organisations Hardesty Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

128 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $15,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 128 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k8%

$1k–$2.5k7%

$2.5k–$5k17%

$5k–$10k5%

$10k–$25k27%

$25k–$50k20%

$50k–$100k5%

$100k–$250k6%

$250k–$500k3%

$500k–$1M2%

$1M and over1%

Median $15,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Philbrook Museum of Art · Capital & program
$1,260,0002024 tax year
Tulsa Community College Foundation · Capital & program
$557,0002024 tax year
The Spring Shelter · Capital/equipment
$500,0002024 tax year
Ou Foundation · Program
$475,0002024 tax year
The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges · Capital/equipment
$350,0002024 tax year
Monte Cassino School · Capital/equipment
$250,0002024 tax year
Holland Hall School · Capital/equipment
$250,0002024 tax year
Resonance Center for Women · Program
$200,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Marilyn S Cox — Director
Connor Hardesty — Director
Michelle Hardesty — Executive Director
Donna J Hardesty — Vice-President & Director
F Roger Hardesty — President & Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$6,713,915	$6,098,684	$134,528,145	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$7,004,888	$6,270,576	$148,682,105	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$7,613,145	$6,786,301	$156,794,978	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.