Ketchum Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,595,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Variable (recent grants from thousands to $145,000+)
• Geographic Focus: Oklahoma, with emphasis on Tulsa region

Contact Details

• Phone: 918-629-2838
• Address: 8811 S Yale Ave Ste 400, Tulsa, OK 74137-3646
• EIN: 26-2189909
• Website: No public website identified
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Ketchum Charitable Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with total assets of approximately $54.3 million as of 2024. Established by the Ketchum family, who founded Red Man Pipe & Supply, the foundation provides charitable support primarily within Oklahoma. With annual charitable disbursements of approximately $2.6 million, the foundation operates as a family foundation making strategic grants to support education, particularly higher education initiatives and minority scholarship programs. The foundation's giving reflects the family's longstanding commitment to educational advancement and community development in Oklahoma.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not maintain publicly advertised grant programs but makes strategic grants including:

• Educational Endowments: Major gifts for scholarship programs (recent $145,000 gift to Oklahoma State University)
• Higher Education Support: Funding for university programs and initiatives
• School Athletics: Support for educational athletic programs

Priority Areas

• Higher education institutions
• Scholarship programs, particularly for minority students
• Educational infrastructure and programs
• School athletics and related educational activities

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly documented, though giving patterns suggest focus remains on education-related initiatives within Oklahoma.

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors:

• Kevin B Ketchum - President
• Lewis C Ketchum - Vice President
• Brian C Ketchum - Director
• Betty J Ketchum - Associated with foundation

The foundation is managed by members of the Ketchum family, maintaining the philanthropic legacy established through their business success with Red Man Pipe & Supply. The family has demonstrated particular commitment to supporting Native American education through partnerships with organizations like the Delaware Tribe.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees based on pre-existing relationships and strategic philanthropic priorities. Organizations typically receive funding through direct invitation or established partnerships rather than unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made on a discretionary basis by the foundation's board.

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

No public information available

Application Success Factors

Given this is a private family foundation without a public application process, success factors include:

• Established relationship with foundation trustees or advisors
• Strong alignment with the foundation's demonstrated interest in education
• Location within Oklahoma, particularly the Tulsa region
• Focus on higher education or scholarship programs
• Track record of effective program implementation
• Potential for significant community impact, particularly benefiting underserved populations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder without a public application process
• Focus areas center strongly on education, particularly higher education in Oklahoma
• The foundation makes both large institutional gifts and smaller strategic grants
• Family foundations of this type typically value long-term partnerships over one-time grants
• Given the family's support for Native American education, programs benefiting indigenous communities may align well with foundation values
• Organizations should seek introduction through mutual connections rather than cold outreach
• With approximately $54 million in assets and $2.6 million in annual giving, the foundation has significant capacity for major gifts

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ketchum Charitable Foundation Inc (EIN: 26-2189909) - Accessed via tax filings data
• Oklahoma State University News - "$145,000 endowed scholarship gift" announcement (2024)
• Foundation Directory Online - Ketchum Charitable Foundation profile
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019-2024 tax years)
• Delaware Tribe scholarship program documentation referencing Ketchum family support
• Various nonprofit databases confirming foundation classification and contact information