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Sarkeys Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Sarkeys Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.5 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months after LOI deadline
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 (typical); occasional million-dollar grants
  • Geographic Focus: Oklahoma only

Contact Details

Website: www.sarkeys.org
Phone: (405) 364-3703
Fax: (405) 364-8191
Address: 530 East Main Street, Norman, OK 73071
Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm

Overview

The Sarkeys Foundation has been improving the quality of life in Oklahoma since 1962, when Sarkeys J. Sarkeys established the private charitable foundation with a vision to create a better state by supporting nonprofits. With assets totaling approximately $108 million, the foundation awarded $5.5 million across 152 grants in 2024. Operating under Oklahoma law, the foundation exclusively provides support through gifts and grants to charitable, scientific, and educational institutions that serve Oklahomans. The foundation's board meets quarterly in January, April, July and October, with leadership including Terry West as Board President and Kim Henry as Executive Director.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Operating Grants: $10,000 - $50,000 (typical range for most awards)
  • Major Initiative Grants: Up to $1 million (occasionally awarded for transformational projects)
  • Application methods: Online portal with fixed deadlines (February 1st and August 1st)

Priority Areas

  • Education initiatives
  • Social services and human service needs
  • Cultural and humanitarian programs of state significance
  • Arts and culture programs
  • Health, diseases and conditions
  • Direct services to underserved populations (strong preference)

What They Don't Fund

  • Out-of-state institutions
  • Start-up funding for new organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Vans or other vehicles
  • Government agencies
  • For-profit organizations
  • Annual fund drives
  • Individual grants
  • Religious institutions for religious purposes
  • Local community programs (focus is on state-level significance)

Governance and Leadership

Board President: Terry West (2024) - Member of Oklahoma Bar Association for over 50 years, currently serves as general counsel to the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints

Executive Director: Kim Henry - "I get to see the compassion of Oklahomans for others every day. It is extremely rewarding to work with people who have such a passion for charities and for helping those less fortunate."

The Foundation is administered by a Board of Trustees that meets quarterly (January, April, July, October) and an Executive Director who oversees daily operations and grant programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Initial Contact (Required): Call executive director or program officer at (405) 364-3703 for pre-application consultation to confirm eligibility
  2. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit by deadline (June 1st or December 1st by 5pm)
  3. Notification: Approximately 2-3 weeks after LOI deadline
  4. Full Application: If invited, complete online application by deadline (August 1st or February 1st)
  5. Decision: Made at quarterly board meetings

LOI must include:

  • Organization name and contact details
  • Organization description
  • Project description
  • Requested amount and total project cost
  • Federal Tax ID number

Full application components:

  • Executive summary
  • Financial and endowment information
  • Board template
  • Description of organization and project
  • Collaborative efforts in community
  • Line-item budget
  • List of secured funds, outstanding requests, and potential sources
  • Audit (required for organizations with assets exceeding $500,000)
  • Auditor letter confirming no material weaknesses

Decision Timeline

  • LOI to invitation: 2-3 weeks
  • Full application to decision: Determined at next quarterly board meeting
  • Total process: Approximately 2-3 months from LOI submission

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation awarded 152 grants in 2024 from an undisclosed number of applications.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations limited to one application per calendar year or twelve-month period. Organizations with current active grants cannot apply for additional funding until final payment has been received and fully expended.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences and recent grant patterns:

  • Pre-application consultation is critical: The foundation specifically asks applicants to call and speak with a program officer before submitting LOI to determine eligibility
  • Direct service providers have advantage: Foundation explicitly states preference for "applicants providing direct services to underserved populations"
  • Established track record matters: Third-party sources indicate Sarkeys prefers organizations that have been on the Oklahoma nonprofit scene for at least three years
  • Statewide significance: Focus on programs of state significance rather than local community programs
  • Collaborative approach: Application requires description of "collaborative efforts in your community"
  • Financial accountability: Organizations over $500,000 in assets must provide audit with no material weaknesses

Recent successful projects include:

  • EmbraceOKC behavioral health initiative ($400,000)
  • Cleats for Kids rural expansion ($35,000)
  • Hearts That Care clinic operations ($20,000)
  • Loveworks afterschool programming ($38,000)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Call first, apply second: Pre-application phone consultation with program officers is not just recommended but essentially required for success
  • Oklahoma-only focus: Must be headquartered in Oklahoma AND serve Oklahomans - no exceptions for out-of-state organizations
  • One shot per year: With only one application allowed per 12-month period, timing and preparation are critical
  • Preference for direct service: Programs providing direct services to underserved populations align best with foundation priorities
  • Reporting requirements: Be prepared for 6-month progress reports and final reports once funds are expended
  • Typical grant size: Most grants fall between $10,000-$50,000; million-dollar grants are rare exceptions
  • No overlapping grants: Cannot have an active grant when applying for new funding

References

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