E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 73-1463569 · since 1995gaylordfoundation.org·Oklahoma City·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$15.6M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$5,000 to $225k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$30,000

Typical grant (median)

134 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

The E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation supports the arts, education, medical research and children's issues, but only accepts applications from 501(c)3 organisations in the greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area, and does not accept requests from organisations outside that area.
A sensible request is modest, as half of its grants to organisations were about $25,000 or less, with most falling between $5,000 and $225,000, though a small number of grants have been much larger, up to $1,500,000.
To apply, start with an online Letter of Inquiry through the Grant Request System by the January 15 or July 15 cut-off, after which the Foundation may follow up and invite a fuller application.
With the large majority of its grant dollars going to organisations it has already funded, the process looks relationship-led and fairly competitive for newcomers, so it is worth applying in good time before a deadline.
Grants are not made to individuals, so individuals should not apply.

Overview

E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation is a US private foundation based in Oklahoma City, OK.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation supports a wide range of philanthropic causes and is committed to the betterment of the communities in which it lives. Its grants are in keeping with the Gaylords’ interests, with special emphasis on the arts, education, medical research and children’s issues. It accepts applications from qualified 501(C)3 charitable organisations in the greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area, and does not accept requests from organisations outside that area. Trustees consider proposals on their merits and subject to the Foundation’s annual financial requirements. Grants are not made to individuals.

Themes

Arts
Education
Medical research
Children’s issues

Geographic Focus

Greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area.

What They Don't Fund

Individuals

How to apply

Applicants start with an online Letter of Inquiry submitted through the Grant Request System by the January 15 or July 15 cut-off. After review, the Foundation contacts them about their request and may invite them to submit a full application.

Deadlines:

Spring Grant Cycle submissions run from November 15 through January 15, with a 5:00 p.m. CST cut-off.
Fall Grant Cycle submissions run from May 15 through July 15, with a 5:00 p.m. CST cut-off.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 93% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 450 grants to organisations were about $25,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

Trustees consider applications on the proposal’s merits and subject to annual financial requirements.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Oklahoma91%

Texas8%

Kentucky<1%

New Jersey<1%

Colorado<1%

Virginia<1%

2 other states: <1%

The largest single recipient received 8% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to organisations E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
5% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

134 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $30,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 134 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$1k–$2.5k3%

$2.5k–$5k3%

$5k–$10k4%

$10k–$25k25%

$25k–$50k21%

$50k–$100k23%

$100k–$250k8%

$250k–$500k5%

$500k–$1M3%

$1M and over4%

Median $30,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Casady School · General purpose
$1,502,0002024 tax year
University of Texas MD Anderson · General purpose
$1,300,0002024 tax year
University of Oklahoma Foundation · General purpose
$1,020,5002024 tax year
Mercy Health Foundation Oklahoma City · General purpose
$1,005,0002024 tax year
YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City · General purpose
$1,000,0002024 tax year
Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health · General purpose
$1,000,0002024 tax year
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma · General purpose
$520,0002024 tax year
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum · General purpose
$507,5002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Tricia L Everest — Co-Trustee
Louise Gaylord Bennett — Co-Trustee
Mary Gaylord McClean — Co-Trustee
Christy Gaylord Everest — Co-Trustee

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$13,744,064	$12,701,484	$287,797,501	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$16,320,320	$14,105,924	$309,561,248	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$16,730,150	$15,556,685	$318,453,116	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.