A R and Marylouise Tandy Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.1 million (2024); $12.3 million (2023); $6.0 million (2022)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (approximately 3-6 months)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $10,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Oklahoma and Maine (primarily Tulsa, OK and Boothbay Harbor, ME)
• Foundation Status: Currently in spend-down phase

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 3627
Tulsa, OK 74101-3627

Trustee:
Trust Company of Oklahoma
6120 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1900
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: (918) 744-0553
Website: www.trustok.com

EIN: 73-1254985

Note: The foundation does not have its own website or direct contact information. All inquiries should be directed to the Trust Company of Oklahoma.

Overview

The A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation was established in 1985 by Alfred Randolph "Bill" Tandy and his wife Marylouise Tandy Cowan (BA '44, University of Tulsa). The foundation is a private, non-operating foundation that accomplishes its charitable purposes solely through making charitable gifts and grants. As of 2024, the foundation is actively spending down its assets, making significant final grants to organizations in its priority areas. The foundation has distributed over $25 million in grants in the past three years (2022-2024), with total assets declining from $19.2 million in 2022 to $153,378 in 2024, indicating the spend-down is nearing completion.

The Tandy family legacy is rooted in entrepreneurship and innovation. Bill Tandy, grandson of the founder of Tandy Leather Factory and husband to a Radio Shack family member, owned Tandy Industries, a national property development company. Marylouise Tandy Cowan was actively involved in numerous civic organizations including the Junior League of Tulsa, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Education Fund, Tulsa Philharmonic Society, and Tulsa Arts Council. She was named a Distinguished Alumna by the University of Tulsa in 1998 and passed away in 2009 at her home in Maine. The foundation's spend-down represents the culmination of decades of strategic philanthropy focused on education, healthcare, arts, and community services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal named grant programs but makes strategic grants in specific areas. Recent major grants demonstrate the foundation's priorities and typical grant sizes:

Large Capital/Endowment Grants ($5M - $10M):

• Arts & Culture: Philbrook Museum of Art - $10 million (2023) for the Tandy Pavilion and Gardens expansion
• Social Services: Joint grant to Child Advocacy Network and Family Safety Center - $5 million (2024) for the Tandy Campus development
• Medical Education: Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences - $8 million (2015) for the Tandy Medical Academic Building
• Medical Education: University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine - $6 million (2012) for the Tandy Education Center and simulation facility

Medium-Range Grants ($1M - $5M):

• Higher Education: University of Tulsa - $14 million (2011) to establish four endowed chairs in Computer Science, creating the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy School of Computer Science
• Higher Education: Oral Roberts University - $1.45 million (2024) for Computing & Mathematics Department expansion

Smaller Grants ($10K - $500K):

• Community Development: Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation - $300,000 for Eastside Waterfront Park
• Education: Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund - $10,000 for journalism scholarship

Application Method: Written requests submitted quarterly by the first day of January, April, July, and October, with advisory committee meetings held in February, May, August, and November.

Priority Areas

Education:

• Higher education institutions, particularly in Oklahoma
• Computer science, technology, and STEM programs
• Medical education and physician training
• Student scholarship programs, especially with preference for journalism careers
• Educational facilities and simulation centers

Healthcare:

• Medical simulation and training facilities
• Osteopathic and community medicine programs
• Healthcare infrastructure in underserved communities
• Programs focused on training physicians who will practice in Oklahoma

Arts & Culture:

• Museum facilities and garden pavilions
• Cultural institutions in Tulsa and Boothbay Harbor
• Arts education programs
• Historic preservation and cultural enrichment

Social Services:

• Domestic violence services
• Child abuse prevention and advocacy
• Family safety and support services
• Community-based wraparound services

Religious Organizations:

• Faith-based institutions (though specific examples not publicly detailed)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Private foundations
• Organizations outside Oklahoma and Maine
• Organizations not designated as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities
• Direct charitable activities or program-related investments (the foundation makes grants only)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee:
Trust Company of Oklahoma

Foundation Representative/Advisory Committee:
Paul Giehm serves as senior vice president for the Trustee and Advisory Committee of the Tandy Foundation. Giehm has been the primary spokesperson for the foundation's major grants and has headed the advisory committee for several years.

Advisory Committee Role:
The advisory committee determines the amount of distributions to be made by the foundation and identifies entities that will receive distributions. Meetings are held quarterly, typically in the first weeks of February, May, August, and November.

Michael Hopper Connection:
Michael Hopper, president and CEO of Trust Company of Oklahoma, previously spent several years heading the advisory committee for the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation, during which time he assisted in projects targeting arts and education throughout Oklahoma.

Foundation Philosophy (Paul Giehm, Foundation Representative):

Regarding the $8 million grant to Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences:

"We're excited to support Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in its efforts to train physicians who want to live and work in Oklahoma."

Regarding the $6 million grant to OU School of Community Medicine:

The foundation was pleased to support "the OU School of Community Medicine, which is the first medical school in the United States established with the explicit purpose to improve the health status of underserved communities, both rural and urban."

These quotes reveal the foundation's focus on addressing Oklahoma's specific healthcare and workforce needs through strategic educational investments.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Written Application Required:
All requests for contributions must be submitted in writing. There is no prescribed application form, but submissions should include:

1. IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter of the organization
2. Detailed description of the project for which funding is requested

Submission Address:
A R and Marylouise Tandy Foundation
c/o Trust Company of Oklahoma
P.O. Box 3627
Tulsa, OK 74101-3627

Submission Deadlines:
Applications must be received by the first day of:

• January 1 (for February meeting)
• April 1 (for May meeting)
• July 1 (for August meeting)
• October 1 (for November meeting)

Geographic Eligibility:
The foundation primarily supports entities in Oklahoma and Maine, with principal focus on:

• Tulsa, Oklahoma region
• Boothbay Harbor, Maine region

Decision Timeline

Advisory Committee Meetings:
The advisory committee meets quarterly, normally around the first weeks of:

• February
• May
• August
• November

Typical Timeline:
Organizations can expect decisions approximately 4-8 weeks after the quarterly submission deadline. For example:

• January 1 submission → February meeting → Decision by late February/early March
• April 1 submission → May meeting → Decision by late May/early June

Notification:
Applicants are notified in writing following advisory committee decisions. Given the foundation's current spend-down status, response times may vary.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation's grant-making patterns suggest:

• The foundation makes a limited number of large, strategic grants rather than numerous small grants
• Recent data shows the foundation made substantial grants to approximately 4-6 major recipients per year during the spend-down phase
• Multi-million dollar grants have been awarded to established institutions with strong track records
• The foundation appears to favor organizations with which it has existing relationships or geographic ties

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. However:

• Several organizations have received multiple grants over the years (e.g., University of Tulsa, Boothbay Harbor organizations)
• Given the foundation's spend-down status, future funding opportunities are likely limited
• Organizations considering reapplication should contact the Trust Company of Oklahoma for current status

Important Note: The foundation is in its spend-down phase, with assets declining from $19.2 million (2022) to $153,378 (2024). Prospective applicants should verify the foundation's current grant-making status before applying.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grants and foundation priorities, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Strong Geographic Connection: Organizations in Tulsa, Oklahoma or Boothbay Harbor, Maine have received the vast majority of grants. The foundation's giving reflects deep ties to these specific communities where the Tandy family lived and worked.

2. Capital Projects with Lasting Impact: The foundation strongly favors capital projects and endowments over operating support:

• Building construction and renovation (Tandy Pavilion, Tandy Medical Academic Building, Tandy Education Center)
• Named endowed chairs and permanent scholarships
• Major facility improvements that will serve communities for decades

3. Education and Healthcare Focus: The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to:

• Medical education that addresses Oklahoma's physician shortage
• Computer science and technology education
• Training programs that keep professionals in Oklahoma
• Simulation and hands-on learning facilities

4. Workforce Development Component: Paul Giehm's quotes emphasize the foundation's interest in projects that "train physicians who want to live and work in Oklahoma." Applications should clearly articulate how projects will:

• Develop Oklahoma's professional workforce
• Address community needs through trained professionals
• Create lasting local impact beyond the grant period

5. Established Institutions: Recent grants have gone to well-established organizations with strong reputations:

• Major universities (University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University)
• Premier cultural institutions (Philbrook Museum)
• Established social service providers (Family Safety Center, Child Advocacy Network)

6. Addressing Underserved Communities: The foundation has explicitly supported programs serving:

• Rural and urban underserved populations
• Domestic violence and child abuse survivors
• Communities lacking adequate healthcare or educational resources

7. Naming Opportunities: Many major grants have included naming rights (Tandy School, Tandy Building, Tandy Pavilion, Tandy Campus), suggesting the foundation values legacy recognition for transformational gifts.

8. Project Readiness: Successful applications appear to be for projects that:

• Are well-planned with detailed budgets
• Have secured partial funding from other sources
• Can demonstrate broad community support
• Include specific, measurable outcomes

9. Connection to Tandy Family Interests: Projects aligned with Marylouise Tandy's documented interests have been particularly successful:

• Arts and culture (she served on Tulsa Arts Council, supported museums)
• Education (University of Tulsa alumna, education fund involvement)
• Community development (active in Boothbay Harbor civic life)
• Journalism (scholarship preference for journalism students)

10. Magnitude of Request: The foundation has made significant gifts ranging from $10,000 to $10 million, but appears to prefer:

• Transformational gifts that can make major impact
• Full or substantial funding for discrete projects
• Multi-year commitments for endowments

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Requirement is Critical: Unless your organization is based in or primarily serves Tulsa, Oklahoma or Boothbay Harbor, Maine, funding is highly unlikely. The foundation has maintained unwavering focus on these two specific communities.

• Spend-Down Status Means Limited Future Opportunity: With assets declining from $19.2 million to $153,000 in just two years (2022-2024), the foundation is near the end of its grant-making life. Contact the Trust Company of Oklahoma before investing significant time in an application to confirm the foundation is still accepting proposals.

• Think Transformational, Not Incremental: Recent grants average in the millions of dollars for capital projects and endowments. The foundation seeks to make lasting impact through major investments, not to support ongoing operations or small projects.

• Medical Education and Workforce Development Resonate: If your project trains healthcare professionals, particularly those who will serve Oklahoma communities, clearly articulate this connection. The foundation has shown strong preference for addressing Oklahoma's physician shortage.

• Pre-Application Contact is Essential: With no website and limited public information, organizations should contact the Trust Company of Oklahoma to discuss project fit before submitting a formal proposal. This is particularly important given the spend-down status.

• Application Process is Straightforward: No complex application form required—just a written request with your 501(c)(3) letter and project description. However, given the large grant sizes, include comprehensive project details, budgets, and outcomes.

• Timing Your Request: Submit by the quarterly deadlines (Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1) to be considered at the next advisory committee meeting approximately 4-8 weeks later. Plan accordingly if you have project deadlines.

• Naming Opportunities May Strengthen Proposals: The foundation has consistently supported projects that include naming rights (buildings, schools, pavilions, campus). If your project includes such opportunities, feature this prominently.

References

IRS and Financial Records:

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - A R And Marylouise Tandy Foundation (EIN 73-1254985). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/731254985 (Accessed February 2026)
• Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2022, 2023, and 2024

University and Institutional Announcements:

• Oklahoma State University. "Tandy Foundation pledges $8 million to name new OSU-CHS medical academic building." May 2015. Available at: https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2015/tandy-foundation-pledges-8-million-name-new-osu-chs-medical-academic-building.html

• University of Oklahoma. "A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation Gives $6 Million." October 2012. Available at: https://www.ou.edu/web/news_events/articles/news_2012/communitymedicine

• University of Tulsa - Chapman Legacy Society. "A. R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation." Available at: https://chapman.utulsa.edu/donor/a-r-and-marylouise-tandy-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

• Oral Roberts University. "$1.45 Million Grant from Tandy Foundation Boosts ORU's Expanding Computing & Mathematics Department." April 2024. Available at: https://oru.edu/news/oru_news/2024/tandy-foundation-grant-oru-computing-and-mathematics.php

Arts and Cultural Institutions:

• Philbrook Museum of Art. "Philbrook Receives Transformative $10 Million Gift." May 2023. Available at: https://philbrook.org/philbrook-receives-transformative-10-million-gift/

News and Media Coverage:

• Tulsa World. "$5 million Tandy gift benefits Tulsa abuse advocacy groups." October 2024. Available at: https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/5-million-gift-to-aid-tulsa-groups-serving-domestic-violence-child-abuse-survivors/article_263c5cc6-8b30-11ef-8b6c-577d4e4fe5ef.html

• Philanthropy News Digest. "Tulsa domestic violence, child abuse nonprofits share $5 million grant." October 2024. Available at: https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/tulsa-domestic-violence-child-abuse-nonprofits-share-5-million-grant

• Boothbay Register. "New Marylouise Tandy Cowan scholarship." Available at: https://www.boothbayregister.com/article/new-marylouise-tandy-cowan-scholarship/2139 (Accessed February 2026)

Foundation Databases:

• Grantmakers.io Profile - A R and Marylouise Tandy Foundation. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/731254985-a-r-and-marylouise-tandy-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

• GuideStar Profile - A R and Marylouise Tandy Foundation. Available at: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/73-1254985 (Accessed February 2026)

Trust Company Information:

• Trust Company of Oklahoma. "Who We Are." Available at: https://www.trustok.com/who-we-are/ (Accessed February 2026)

• Trust Company of Oklahoma - Tulsa Chamber Profile. Available at: https://tulsachamber.com/membership/active-member/trust-company-of-oklahoma/ (Accessed February 2026)

Historical Background:

• Museum of Tulsa History. "Alfred Randolph 'Bill' Tandy." Available at: https://tulsahistory.org/halloffame/alfred-randolph-bill-tandy/ (Accessed February 2026)