Tykeson Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,070,757 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: Oregon and Montana

Contact Details

• Address: PO Box 78, Ovando, MT 59854-0078
• Phone: 503-819-3648
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Portal: No public application process

Overview

Established in 2004 with assets transferred from the liquidated Donald E. Tykeson Foundation, the Tykeson Family Charitable Trust manages over $101 million in assets and distributed $5,070,757 across 72 grants in 2023. Founded by telecommunications pioneer Don Tykeson (1927-2017) and his wife Willie (1929-2019), the trust continues their philanthropic legacy under the leadership of their daughter Amy Tykeson. Don's personal experience with multiple sclerosis, diagnosed at age 30, profoundly shaped the family's commitment to healthcare access and research. The trust operates without a public application process, making strategic grants only to preselected organizations primarily in Oregon and Montana, with a focus on healthcare, arts access, education for underserved youth, and social services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges:

• Major Capital Grants: $500,000 - $1,000,000+ (capital campaigns, matching/challenge grants)
• Program Support: $100,000 - $500,000 (multi-year commitments available)
• General Support: $5,000 - $100,000 (ongoing operational support)

Priority Areas

• Healthcare and Health Sciences: Hospitals, health organizations, MS research, healthcare access for underserved populations
• Arts Access: Increasing accessibility to arts programs and cultural organizations
• Education for Underserved Youth: Educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people, particularly in Central Oregon
• Social Services: Basic needs support for families, workforce development, youth programs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, their giving patterns indicate they do not fund:

• Organizations outside Oregon and Montana
• Individual scholarships (except employee-dependent scholarships)
• Small grassroots organizations without established track records
• National or international programs

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Amy C. Tykeson - Managing Trustee (primary decision-maker, receives compensation for significant time commitment)
• Ellen P. Tykeson - Trustee (Eugene, OR - Don Tykeson's daughter, no compensation)
• Eric D. Tykeson - Trustee (Westlake Village, CA - Don Tykeson's son, no compensation)

Amy Tykeson's Strategic Board Service

Amy Tykeson's extensive board involvement indicates key networks for the foundation:

• Meyer Memorial Trust (Board Trustee)
• University of Oregon Board of Trustees
• Providence Montana Health Foundation
• The Nature Conservancy - Montana Chapter
• Friends of the Children
• Oregon Health & Science University Governing Board (former)
• Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Advisory Board
• Oregon Public Broadcasting (former, 2015-2022)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are initiated by the trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations may come to the foundation's attention through:

• Board Connections: Amy Tykeson's extensive board service creates natural networking opportunities, particularly through Meyer Memorial Trust, University of Oregon, and Providence Montana networks
• Capital Campaigns: Several major gifts supported highly visible capital campaigns at established institutions where the family had existing relationships
• Sector Leadership: Organizations recognized as leaders in healthcare access, educational equity, or arts accessibility in Oregon/Montana
• Geographic Proximity: Strong preference for Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Madras) where the family built their telecommunications business, and Montana where they now reside

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - decisions made at trustees' discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, organizations should focus on:

• Building Sector Visibility: Excel in the foundation's priority areas (healthcare access, arts accessibility, education for underserved youth) within Oregon or Montana
• Capital Campaign Strategy: Major gifts often support capital campaigns at institutions where relationships already exist
• Network Engagement: Participate actively in Oregon and Montana philanthropic networks, particularly those connected to Amy Tykeson's board service
• Demonstrating Impact: The foundation supports organizations with proven track records serving underserved populations
• Multi-Year Thinking: Several grants structured as multi-year commitments, suggesting preference for sustained partnerships
• Challenge Grant Readiness: Foundation uses matching/challenge structures to leverage other donors

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted - this is a relationship-based, trustee-initiated foundation
• Strong geographic focus on Oregon (especially Central Oregon) and Montana - unlikely to fund outside these states
• Healthcare emphasis stems from Don Tykeson's personal MS journey - health access projects may resonate particularly
• Amy Tykeson's board connections are the primary pathway to visibility - organizations should engage in networks where she serves
• Capital campaigns at major institutions have attracted significant support ($500K-$1M gifts)
• Average grant of $70,427 but wide range from $5,000 to over $1 million
• Legacy continuation - foundation actively maintains founders' vision while adapting to current community needs

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Tykeson Family Charitable Trust Form 990 filings (2020-2023). Accessed February 26, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/367428977
• Candid Foundation Directory - Tykeson Family Charitable Trust Profile. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=TYKE002
• Grantmakers.io - Tykeson Family Charitable Trust Profile and Grant Data. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/367428977-tykeson-fam-charitable-tr/
• Meyer Memorial Trust - Amy C. Tykeson Trustee Biography. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://mmt.org/about/trustees/amy-c-tykeson/
• University of Oregon Board of Trustees - Amy Tykeson Profile. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://trustees.uoregon.edu/board-member/Amy-Tykeson
• KTVZ News - "Family Access Network receives $150,000 grant from Tykeson Family Charitable Trust" (2024). Accessed February 26, 2026.
• KTVZ News - "Heart of Oregon Corps receives $100,000 gift from Tykeson Family Charitable Trust" (2024). Accessed February 26, 2026.
• St. Charles Health System - "$1 Million Challenge Grant for New Patient Tower" (2019). Accessed February 26, 2026.
• Bend Bulletin - "Don Tykeson obituary and philanthropic legacy" (2017). Accessed February 26, 2026.
• Oregon State University-Cascades - "Tykeson Hall dedication and naming gift announcement". Accessed February 26, 2026.