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McMahon Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $3.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,765,108 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $47,925,524
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $3,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Oklahoma only (primarily Lawton/Comanche County area)
  • Application Method: No public application process - trustee discretion
  • Accepts Unsolicited Applications: Limited (requires unanimous board approval for areas outside primary focus cities)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 2156, Lawton, OK 73502-2156
Physical Office: 716 SW C Ave, Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: 580-355-4622
Fax: 580-357-3248

Executive Director: Carol Herrick (appointed October 2025)

Overview

The McMahon Foundation was established in 1940 by Louise D. McMahon and her son Eugene D. McMahon following the death of E.P. McMahon, one of Lawton's first settlers. With assets exceeding $47.9 million and annual giving of approximately $2.8 million, the foundation has donated over $96 million since its inception. The foundation serves nonprofit entities "with the purpose of helping those that cannot help themselves," focusing primarily on education, human services, arts and culture, and support for military families in Southwest Oklahoma. The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a traditional application cycle, with significant long-term partnerships with institutions like Cameron University (over $16 million since 1963) and the University of Oklahoma.

Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas

Education Education is one of the principal areas the McMahon Foundation was established to support. Major investments include:

  • Cameron University: Over $16 million in total support, including a $3 million grant in 2025 to establish the McMahon School of Business
  • Lawton Public Schools: $1 million for auditorium renovations across three high schools
  • University of Oklahoma Gaylord College: Over $1.5 million in scholarships since 1964, including annual $10,000 four-year scholarships
  • STEM education initiatives: $125,000 annually for two years to Oklahoma State University for K-12 and college-level STEM programs
  • Great Plains Technology Center: Major capital and program support

Human Services

  • Salvation Army: $166,804 for plumbing infrastructure at homeless shelter
  • Lawton Food Bank: $65,000 emergency grant
  • United Way of Southwest Oklahoma: $100,000
  • Embrace Hope Collaboratorium: Vehicle purchase for transitional shelter
  • Junior League of Lawton: Diaper initiative support
  • Joyful Noise AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices for children with limited speech

Arts and Culture

  • Schubert Music Club: Support for annual Messiah program
  • Arts enrichment programming throughout Southwest Oklahoma

Military Family Support

  • USO Lawton/Fort Sill: $10,000 for holiday programming for service members and families
  • Programs serving the Fort Sill military community

Grant Size Examples

  • Large institutional grants: $1,000,000 - $4,000,000 (Cameron University, Lawton Public Schools)
  • Medium grants: $100,000 - $250,000 (OSU STEM program, United Way)
  • Smaller program grants: $10,000 - $65,000 (USO, Food Bank, nonprofits)

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions: No grants are made outside the State of Oklahoma. Within Oklahoma, the foundation primarily funds projects in Duncan, Elgin, Geronimo, Lawton, Medicine Park, Norman, Oklahoma City, and Stillwater. Requests from other areas in Oklahoma must have unanimous approval from the board of trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Todd Bridges - Chairman (Lawton dentist, appointed following Mike Mayhall)
  • Phil Kennedy - Vice Chairman (previously served as Chairman)
  • Mark Henry - Secretary-Treasurer
  • Kenneth Bridges - Trustee
  • Kenneth Easton - Trustee
  • David Madigan - Trustee
  • Mike Mayhall - Trustee (former Chairman)

Board members serve without compensation except for the Executive Director.

Leadership

Carol Herrick - Executive Director (appointed October 2025)

  • Previously served as interim CEO and Director of Community Engagement at United Way of Southwest Oklahoma
  • Over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience
  • Quote: "These investments reflect our deep commitment to strengthening families, supporting service members, enriching the arts, and expanding educational opportunities."

Dana Parrish - Former Executive Director (retired October 2025 after 40 years)

  • Joined foundation in 1985, named Executive Director in 2011
  • Guided the foundation's growth in education, health, arts, and community development

Board Philosophy

Kenneth Bridges on the foundation's collaborative approach: "We work very closely together trying to do as much as we can for the benefit of the universities but more so for the benefit of the state of Oklahoma."

Chairman Phil Kennedy on funding priorities: "Education is one of the principal areas the McMahon Foundation was established to support."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The McMahon Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Historical records indicate that applications should include the nature of the organization and the purpose of the grant request, and there are no formal submission deadlines.

The foundation operates primarily through:

  • Long-term partnerships with established institutions
  • Trustee-identified community needs
  • Board member relationships and knowledge of the Southwest Oklahoma community
  • Response to specific community crises (e.g., emergency food bank grant)

Grant Cycles

The foundation appears to make grant decisions on a regular cycle, with announcements typically occurring in:

  • November (major grants announced)
  • Throughout the year for emergency or special needs

In 2024, the foundation made 25 grant awards totaling $2,765,108.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Major grants appear to be decided during board meetings, with significant grants often announced through local media.

Success Rates

With 25 awards made in 2024 and no public application process, success rates are not applicable in the traditional sense. The foundation operates through trustee discretion and relationship-based grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Building Relationships with the Foundation

Geographic Connection: Organizations must demonstrate deep roots in Southwest Oklahoma, particularly the Lawton/Comanche County area. The foundation has shown particular commitment to institutions in their primary service cities.

Long-Term Impact Focus: The foundation favors projects with lasting community benefit. Examples include:

  • Capital improvements (auditorium renovations, business school establishment)
  • Capacity-building investments (STEM lab infrastructure, AAC devices)
  • Programs addressing fundamental community needs (homeless shelter infrastructure, food security)

Educational Alignment: Given the foundation's explicit commitment to education, organizations with educational missions or components have received substantial support. This includes traditional education institutions, workforce development, and innovative learning programs.

Military Family Connection: Organizations serving the Fort Sill community and military families align with the foundation's demonstrated priorities.

Community Partnerships: The foundation values collaborative approaches. Their matching grant with Lawton Public School Foundation and partnerships with multiple institutions demonstrate this preference.

Evidence of Foundation Priorities

The foundation's recent grants reveal clear patterns:

  • Major institutional support for established relationships (Cameron University, Lawton Public Schools)
  • Infrastructure and capital projects that create lasting change
  • Programs serving vulnerable populations (children with communication disabilities, homeless individuals, military families)
  • Arts and cultural enrichment for the community
  • Emergency response capacity (food bank crisis support)

Professional Relationships Matter

The foundation operates through a small board of trustees who are deeply embedded in the Lawton community. Board members include local professionals (dentist, attorneys) who have direct knowledge of community needs and organizational capacity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - This foundation operates primarily through trustee discretion and established relationships rather than competitive grant cycles
  • Geographic restriction is absolute - Organizations must operate within Oklahoma, with strong preference for Lawton/Comanche County area
  • Long-term partnerships are valued - Cameron University has received over $16 million since 1963, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to sustained support
  • Large grants are possible - Recent grants range from $10,000 to $3 million, with the foundation capable of transformational investments
  • Education is the cornerstone - While the foundation supports diverse causes, education remains the principal focus area established by the founders
  • Community impact drives decisions - The foundation invests in capacity-building projects that strengthen organizations and create lasting community benefit
  • Board knowledge is key - With trustees deeply involved in the Lawton community, informal connections and community reputation likely influence funding decisions
  • Military family support is emerging - Recent grants to USO and military-serving organizations reflect the foundation's recognition of Fort Sill's importance to the community

References

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