Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $6,850,000 (2024 estimate)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Bi-annual reviews (April 15 and September 15 deadlines)
- Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,300,000
- Median Grant: $30,000
- Geographic Focus: Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding areas
- Total Assets: $152.6M (2024)
Contact Details
Address: 4110 S Rockford, Suite 200, Tulsa, OK 74105
Phone: (918) 779-7635
Email: contact@burnsteinfoundation.com
Website: https://burnsteinfoundation.com
Overview
The Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation was established in 1989 by Stan and Irene Burnstein, who made Tulsa their home, built a business, and raised their family there. Following Stan's passing in March 2018, Irene continues to lead the foundation's mission. With total assets of $152.6M and annual giving of approximately $6.9M, the foundation makes around 91 grants annually to Tulsa-area organizations. The foundation is dedicated to promoting initiatives that enrich and foster a community where inclusivity and equity are at the heart of progress. Recent notable initiatives include investing over $2.7M in inclusive, adaptive playgrounds across Tulsa, including the Hope Playground at Whiteside Park featuring the city's first adaptive bathroom at a park. The foundation stands in solidarity with all who seek to end discrimination, racism, bigotry, and injustice.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation supports three main funding categories:
- General Operating Support: Unrestricted funding for organizational operations
- Direct Services: Program-specific funding for service delivery
- Capital Projects: Funding for infrastructure, facilities, and major equipment (e.g., $1.2M for Hope Playground at Whiteside Park)
- Limited Event Sponsorships: Selective support for community events
Application Timeline:
- Spring Cycle: Applications accepted January through March 15
- Fall Cycle: Applications accepted June through August 15
- Reviews conducted bi-annually with decisions made after April 15 and September 15
Priority Areas
The foundation contributes primarily to Tulsa and Tulsa-area programs that promote:
- Community well-being and vibrancy
- Education and self-sufficiency
- Health services
- Safety-net support for vulnerable populations
- Advancement of human rights and social justice
- Arts and sciences
- The Jewish community
- Initiatives that break cycles of inequity and promote racial justice
What They Don't Fund
- Political organizations or candidates
- Organizations primarily focused on influencing legislation
- Individual grants
- Organizations that do not demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination in services, staffing, and volunteer recruitment
Governance and Leadership
Founder/Trustee: Mrs. Irene F. Burnstein continues to lead the foundation following the passing of her husband, Sanford (Stan) Burnstein, in 2018.
Senior Program Director: Elizabeth Hall oversees grant programs and community partnerships.
Board Representation: Elizabeth Hall represents the foundation on various community boards, including the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees and Tulsa Area United Way committees.
Leadership Vision
Irene Burnstein has articulated the foundation's approach: "Stan and I had a vision that children of all ages and abilities could gather together to play, explore, and learn from one another." The foundation's guiding principle, as stated by Irene, is being "In the Business of Helping People."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
The foundation operates on an invitation-based system for new applicants, but also accepts applications from organizations who have not received funding in the last calendar year.
For First-Time Applicants or Organizations Without Recent Funding:
- Submit an initial inquiry including:
- Brief overview of organization's history, mission, accomplishments, and challenges
- Amount requested
- Description of how funds will be used
- Contact via email at contact@burnsteinfoundation.com
- Electronic applications are STRONGLY preferred
Preliminary Review Process: Following receipt of initial information, the foundation conducts a preliminary review to determine consistency with its mission and goals. If warranted, they may request additional documentation including:
- Recent audits
- Budgets
- List of major funders
- Partnership information
- Board member list
- Compliance documentation for State and Federal filing regulations
For Current Grantees (Renewal Requests): Submit renewal requests and reports by the cycle deadlines (April 15 or September 15)
Decision Timeline
- Application Periods: January-March 15 (spring) and June-August 15 (fall)
- Review Deadlines: April 15 and September 15
- Decision Timeline: Funding decisions made after bi-annual review deadlines
- Notification: Method not publicly specified; contact foundation for details
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation consistently makes 80-91 grants annually, with the following historical distribution:
- 2024: 91 grants
- 2022: 88 grants
- 2021: 80 grants
- 2020: 62 grants
Reapplication Policy
Organizations that have not received funding in the last calendar year are encouraged to reapply following the first-time applicant process. Current grantees submit renewal requests through a streamlined process that includes impact reports, program outcomes, organizational changes, financial health updates, and strategic updates.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:
Alignment with Core Values
The foundation explicitly states that "only organizations whose policies and actions encourage diversity and inclusion and are nondiscriminatory in the community served, hiring of staff, and recruitment of volunteers are given consideration for funding." This is a non-negotiable requirement.
Community Partnership Approach
The foundation prioritizes organizations that work collaboratively. Elizabeth Hall has emphasized the importance of partnerships in the foundation's work, particularly in initiatives that serve children and families across Tulsa.
Focus on Accessibility and Inclusion
Recent major grants demonstrate the foundation's commitment to creating accessible spaces for all abilities. The Hope Playground project exemplifies this, with Irene Burnstein stating it represents "Stan's and the family's dream for public places of play, connection, and learning, where children and families of all abilities can gather."
Examples of Recently Funded Projects (2023)
- Gilcrease Museum: $1.3M for general operations
- Tulsa Community Foundation: $907K for Whiteside Adaptive Park
- Humble Sons Bike Company: $625K for general operations
- VHIT LLC (Veterans Hospital): $600K for general operations
- Tulsa Cares: $273K for general operations
- A New Leaf: funding for general operations
Strong Preference for Electronic Submissions
The foundation has clearly stated that electronic applications and reports are STRONGLY preferred, indicating that following this preference demonstrates respect for their processes.
Breaking Cycles of Inequity
Applications that address systemic barriers and promote long-term community change align with the foundation's stated commitment to "breaking cycles of inequity and promoting racial and social justice."
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Diversity and inclusion are mandatory: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to non-discrimination in all aspects of operations—this is stated as a prerequisite for consideration
- Think beyond single-year grants: The foundation supports ongoing relationships, as evidenced by their renewal process for current grantees
- Range is wide but median is modest: While the foundation can make transformational gifts up to $1.3M, the median grant is $30K—tailor your request appropriately
- Geographic focus is strict: The foundation is explicitly focused on Tulsa and Tulsa-area programs; organizations outside this region are unlikely to be considered
- Submit electronically: The foundation has a strong preference for electronic applications, not paper submissions
- Partnership matters: The foundation values collaborative approaches and community partnerships, as demonstrated by their board participation and funded initiatives
- Request an invitation first: New applicants should start with a concise initial inquiry rather than a full proposal, allowing the foundation to assess fit before requesting additional documentation
- Bi-annual cycle planning: Plan your application timeline around the two annual cycles (spring and fall) rather than expecting rolling decisions
References
- Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation official website - https://burnsteinfoundation.com (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation Funding Guidelines - https://burnsteinfoundation.com/funding-guidelines (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation Our Reach - https://burnsteinfoundation.com/our-reach (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- Cause IQ Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sanford-p-and-irene-f-burnstein-foundation-irene-f,736247047/ (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Charitable Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/736247047 (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sanford-p-and-irene-f-burnstein-foundation-irene-f-burnstein-trustee (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- City of Tulsa Press Release: "City Officials Announce Plans to Build an Inclusive Playground at Whiteside Park" - https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/city-officials-announce-plans-to-build-an-inclusive-playground-at-whiteside-park/ (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- City of Tulsa Press Release: "City, Tulsa Parks Announce Construction of Two Inclusive Playgrounds at Hicks, Bales Parks" - https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/city-tulsa-parks-announce-construction-of-two-inclusive-playgrounds-at-hicks-bales-parks/ (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- KTUL News: "Tulsa plans inclusive playgrounds with $1.5M Burnstein Foundation donation" - https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-plans-inclusive-playgrounds-with-15m-burnstein-foundation-donation (Accessed January 8, 2026)
- LinkedIn: Elizabeth Hall - Senior Program Director profile (Accessed January 8, 2026)