Lionel And Bea Harris Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $499,181 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not published
• Grant Range: Average ~$35,000 per grant (estimated)
• Geographic Focus: Cushing, Oklahoma and surrounding areas

Contact Details

• Phone: 918-306-1930
• Address: PO Box 1110, Cushing, OK 74023-1110
• Website: No public website
• Email: Not available

Overview

The Lionel and Bea Harris Foundation is a private grant-making foundation established in 2016 with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Founded by Lionel Harris (1927-2017), owner of Lionel Harris Oil Company in Cushing, Oklahoma, and his wife Beatrice, the foundation continues their philanthropic legacy with total assets exceeding $20 million. The foundation distributes approximately $500,000 annually to support churches, community organizations, and public benefit programs primarily in Cushing and the surrounding north-central Oklahoma region. Operating without a public website or formal application process, the foundation makes discretionary grants through trustee-directed decisions, typically supporting 11-21 organizations per year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not publish specific grant programs or tiers. Based on 2023 giving of $499,181 across 14 awards, the average grant size is approximately $35,000, though individual grant amounts likely vary significantly.

Priority Areas

• Churches and faith-based organizations
• Community organizations serving Cushing residents
• Public benefit programs in Cushing and surrounding areas
• Potentially youth development and therapeutic programs (based on support for Right Path Riding Academy)

What They Don't Fund

Not published - requires review of Form 990-PF filings to identify patterns

Governance and Leadership

Specific trustee and board member names are not publicly available without accessing paid databases or Form 990-PF filings. The foundation was established by Lionel Harris, who owned Lionel Harris Oil Company (founded 1948), a petroleum products wholesale company in Cushing. Following his death in 2017, the foundation continues operations under current leadership whose identities would be disclosed in tax filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, likely based on:

• Pre-existing relationships with organizations
• Trustee knowledge of community needs
• Invitation-only solicitations
• Possibly limited review of unsolicited inquiries sent to their mailing address

Organizations interested in support should send a brief letter of inquiry to: PO Box 1110, Cushing, OK 74023-1110

Or call: 918-306-1930

Getting on Their Radar

With no public application process, organizations seeking support should:

• Establish a strong local presence in Cushing or immediate surrounding areas
• Build relationships with other Cushing-area nonprofits that may have connections
• Review Form 990-PF filings to identify past grant recipients and look for connection points
• Consider sending a brief, professional letter of inquiry describing the organization's work and local impact
• Respect that this is a private foundation with predetermined giving priorities

Decision Timeline

Not published

Success Rates

Not available - the foundation makes 11-21 grants annually from an unknown number of considerations

Reapplication Policy

Not published

Application Success Factors

Without published guidelines or a formal application process, success factors are inferred from giving patterns:

• Strong local connection to Cushing, Oklahoma is essential - all identified giving appears concentrated in this community
• Alignment with faith-based or community service missions - churches and community organizations are stated program areas
• Established track record - as a private foundation making discretionary grants, they likely support known entities
• Modest funding requests - with an average grant around $35,000, large requests may be outside their typical range
• Focus on direct service - support appears directed toward organizations providing immediate community benefit

Organizations should obtain recent Form 990-PF filings to identify specific past recipients and funding patterns before making contact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation without a public application process - relationship-building is essential
• Geographic focus on Cushing, OK appears absolute - organizations outside this area are unlikely to receive support
• Annual giving of approximately $500,000 is distributed across 11-21 grants, suggesting selective but substantial support
• The foundation's roots in the oil industry (Lionel Harris Oil Company) may indicate receptivity to economic development or workforce initiatives
• Without published guidelines, review of Form 990-PF filings is critical to understand actual giving patterns
• Contact should be made via letter or phone rather than expecting an online process
• Patience and respect for their private foundation status is important - they may not respond to unsolicited inquiries

References

• Cause IQ Organization Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/lionel-and-bea-harris-foundation,474310838/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/474310838 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/474310838 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-4310838 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Entry #3658820 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/lionel-and-bea-harris-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Database - EIN 47-4310838 lookup (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Legacy.com - Lionel Harris Obituary, January 2017 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Right Path Riding Academy - Donor acknowledgment (Accessed February 24, 2026)