← Back to US Funders Directory

T. Boone Pickens Foundation

Annual Giving
$114.4M
Grant Range
$1000K - $120.0M

T. Boone Pickens Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $114.4 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly (from $1 million endowments to $120 million major gifts)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with strong focus on Texas and Oklahoma
  • Total Assets: $82.8 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 600 Parker Sq Ste 290a-Box, Flower Mound, TX 75028-7400

Website: https://tboonepickensfoundation.org/

EIN: 20-5892962

Important Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited inquiries. Contact information for phone and email is not publicly listed due to the invitation-only grant process.

Overview

The T. Boone Pickens Foundation was established in 2006 by the late energy entrepreneur and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, who passed away in 2019. The foundation operates under the motto "Supporting the Exemplary Efforts of Extraordinary People." With total assets of $82.8 million and annual grant distributions of $114.4 million in 2023 (representing 98.6% of expenses), the foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to active grantmaking. Throughout his lifetime and beyond, Pickens contributed over $1 billion to charitable causes, including more than $652 million to Oklahoma State University alone, split evenly between academics and athletics. The foundation experienced dramatic growth from 2022 to 2023, with assets increasing from approximately $786,000 to $82.8 million, reflecting a significant influx of contributions ($193.6 million in 2023) and strategic deployment of resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses on six primary philanthropic areas:

  • Health and Medical Research, Treatment and Services: Major support for institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Center for Brain Health in Dallas, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary. Recent example: $25 million for OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex supporting the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute.

  • Education and Athletics: Particularly generous support for Oklahoma State University (over $652 million total). Recent example: $120 million gift in 2023, including $63.7 million for student scholarships through Pickens legacy scholarship funds designed to double donor contributions.

  • Kids at Risk: Programs protecting, educating, and mentoring at-risk children to develop future leaders.

  • Support for U.S. Military Members: Programs benefiting veterans and active military personnel, reflecting Pickens' deep patriotic commitment.

  • Entrepreneurship: Leadership development and support for business creators.

  • Conservation and Wildlife Management: Environmental stewardship initiatives, including restoration of the 68,000-acre Mesa Vista property in the Texas Panhandle.

Priority Areas

  • Physical, mental, and spiritual health initiatives
  • Human performance and nutrition research
  • Athletic facilities and programs
  • Student scholarships and educational access
  • Veterans support programs
  • Wildlife conservation and land restoration
  • Entrepreneurial leadership development

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking process.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by a small leadership team:

  • Ronald D. Bassett - President
  • Robert L. Stillwell - Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
  • Jay Rosser - Director
  • Andrew J. Littlefair - Director

Each officer received $154,000 in annual compensation in 2023, representing less than 1% of total expenses, demonstrating the foundation's focus on grantmaking over administrative costs.

Key Quote from Leadership: Jay Rosser, Foundation Director, emphasized Pickens' philanthropic philosophy: "Physical, mental and spiritual health played a big part in Boone's life. Boone's passion for health and research programs is evidenced by his philanthropic support for world-class institutions." Rosser also noted that "Boone Pickens' love for Oklahoma State University knew no bounds," highlighting the unwavering commitment to seeing the university thrive academically and athletically.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The T. Boone Pickens Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states: "The T. Boone Pickens Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters, emails or calls of inquiry. The grant application is by invitation only, through a request for proposal process."

Organizations cannot apply directly to the foundation. Grant recipients must be invited to apply by a member or members of the foundation committee. The foundation operates through a formal request for proposal mechanism, with invitations extended directly by foundation committee members.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation operates primarily through connections to T. Boone Pickens' established relationships and priorities. Based on the foundation's grant history, organizations most likely to be invited include:

  • Institutions with existing Pickens connections: Oklahoma State University, where Pickens was an alumnus, has been the largest beneficiary with over $652 million in total support.

  • Organizations in the foundation's established focus areas: The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to specific institutions in health and medical research (MD Anderson, UT Southwestern, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Center for Brain Health in Dallas, Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary).

  • Geographic alignment: Organizations based in Texas and Oklahoma appear to receive priority consideration, with Flower Mound, TX serving as the foundation's location.

  • Foundation board connections: With only four leadership members (Ronald D. Bassett, Robert L. Stillwell, Jay Rosser, and Andrew J. Littlefair), invitations likely stem from their professional networks and strategic relationships.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available due to the invitation-only process. Organizations receive invitations through the request for proposal process initiated by foundation committee members.

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available. The foundation made 8 awards in 2023 out of an unknown number of invited proposals.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly available due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, the foundation's grant history reveals clear patterns:

Alignment with Pickens' Personal Values: The foundation prioritizes causes that mattered deeply to T. Boone Pickens personally. Jay Rosser noted, "Physical, mental and spiritual health played a big part in Boone's life," and this emphasis is reflected in major grants supporting human performance research, athletic programs, and medical institutions.

Long-term Institutional Relationships: The largest grants have gone to institutions with which Pickens had long-standing relationships, particularly Oklahoma State University. The $120 million gift in 2023 reflects "Boone Pickens' love for Oklahoma State University [that] knew no bounds."

Matching and Leverage Opportunities: The 2023 OSU gift included $63.7 million for scholarships specifically "designed to double donor contributions," suggesting the foundation values grants that leverage additional resources.

Focus on Tangible Impact: Recent grants support concrete projects like the Human Performance Innovation Complex, Karsten Creek golf course renovation, and a museum to house Pickens' archives—all demonstrating measurable outcomes.

Health and Wellness Emphasis: The foundation's support spans "world-class institutions" in medical research and human performance, indicating a preference for organizations at the forefront of health-related fields.

Veterans and Youth Development: Programs benefiting military members and at-risk children align with Pickens' stated priorities and patriotic commitment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications. The foundation operates exclusively through invitations from committee members.

  • Relationship-driven grantmaking: Success depends on existing connections to the foundation's leadership (Ronald D. Bassett, Robert L. Stillwell, Jay Rosser, Andrew J. Littlefair) or alignment with T. Boone Pickens' legacy priorities.

  • Large-scale giving: The foundation makes substantial grants, including a $120 million gift to OSU in 2023, suggesting a preference for significant, transformative investments rather than numerous small grants (only 8 awards in 2023).

  • Health and education focus: The strongest opportunities align with human performance research, medical research institutions, educational access (particularly scholarships), and athletic programs.

  • Geographic preference: Texas and Oklahoma institutions, particularly those with historical ties to Pickens, receive priority consideration.

  • Leverage and matching: The foundation values opportunities to double donor contributions and create multiplier effects.

  • Legacy continuation: Post-2019, the foundation continues Pickens' philanthropic vision through established relationships and priorities rather than expanding into new areas.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory