The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 81-5328519 · since 2017noblefoundation.org·Oklahoma, United States·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$53.9M
Annual giving, 2024 tax year
From the Form 990-PF filing
$300 to $105k
Grant range
From grants in the 990-PF filings
$23,550
Typical grant (median)
89 grants in the latest filing
Open to applications
Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

  • The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is based in Ardmore, OK, and its primary focus is agricultural research, alongside charitable giving for health, education and stronger communities; its geographic focus is the United States, with priority given to Oklahoma.
  • For most nonprofit applicants a modest request fits best: half of its 296 grants to organisations were $12,500 or less, and about eight in ten fall between $300 and $105,000.
  • To approach it, submit an online letter of inquiry, accepted from January 1 through June 1 each year, before any formal grant application is distributed.
  • It looks relationship-led rather than widely open to newcomers: in its latest filing, 92% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded previously, so new applicants may find it competitive.
  • The foundation does not fund individuals, for-profit entities, or requests for multiyear commitments, so these should not apply.

Overview

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is a US private foundation based in Ardmore, 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 foundation’s primary granting focus is agricultural research. It also gives to charitable organisations that cultivate good health, support education and build stronger communities, with grantmaking generally focused on Oklahoma organisations and projects. Its vision is for recipients to address agricultural challenges, expand educational opportunities, advance medical research, improve health services and strengthen communities. It also offers the Sam Noble Scholarship for southern Oklahoma students pursuing higher education in agricultural and applied education. The foundation therefore combines research funding with charitable grants for health, education and community work, alongside scholarships for eligible students.

Themes

  • Agricultural research
  • Health
  • Education
  • Stronger communities

Geographic Focus

United States. Priority: Oklahoma.

What They Don't Fund

  • Noble Foundation granting program only: individuals; for-profit entities; requests for multiyear commitments

How to apply

Organisations submit an online letter of inquiry before a formal grant application is distributed.

Deadlines: Letters of inquiry are accepted from January 1 through June 1 each year.

Application success factors

  • Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 92% 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 296 grants to organisations were $12,500 or less.

What the foundation says:

  • It prioritises agricultural research conducted by Noble Research Institute.
  • Requests receive preliminary review based on the initial letter of inquiry.
  • Representatives of nonprofit organisations may contact a philanthropy staff member for guidance.

Where grants go

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

Grant dollars by state

Oklahoma88%
Georgia6%
Michigan2%
Texas2%
District of Columbia1%
Maryland<1%

6 other states: <1%

  • The largest single recipient received 76% of grant dollars to organisations.
  • In tax year 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to organisations The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
  • No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
  • <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

89 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $23,550

How much do they typically give?

Share of 89 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k6%
$1k–$2.5k4%
$2.5k–$5k10%
$5k–$10k9%
$10k–$25k21%
$25k–$50k17%
$50k–$100k16%
$100k–$250k6%
$250k–$500k2%
$500k–$1M3%
$1M and over6%

Median $23,550 (tax year 2024)

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

  • Noble Research Institute · Operational support
    $36,500,0002024 tax year
  • Leading the Way with Dr Michael Youssef · Noble ministry fund
    $8,250,0002024 tax year
  • The Children's Center dba Bethany Children's Health Center · The landmark of hope expansion project
    $1,780,0002024 tax year
  • Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service · Ambulance facility project
    $1,500,0002024 tax year
  • Shepherd Center · Performance lab and ed noble smart tech hub
    $1,000,0002024 tax year
  • Heritage Foundation · Ed noble lobby
    $750,0002024 tax year
  • Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs · The generations project
    $500,0002024 tax year
  • Ymca Of Greater Oklahoma City · Ymca camp classen: here for all. here for good. capital campaign
    $500,0002024 tax year

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

Officers and directors

  • Stephen Young — Director
  • Jack Waldo — Director
  • Marianne Rooney — Director
  • Ellen Ruppert — Advisory Director (As Of 11/24)
  • Clark Ruppert — Advisory Director
  • Jo Kate Parker — Advisory Director
  • Russell Noble — Director
  • Cody Noble — Chairman / Director
  • Jessie Nance — Director
  • Virginia Heckman — Director
  • Bill Goddard — Director
  • Alyson Gilbert — Advisory Director
  • Vivian Noble Dubose — Advisory Director (As Of 11/24)
  • James Day — Director
  • Susan Brown — Director
  • Dr Randolph Brown Jr — Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

YearTotal expensesGrants paidAssetsFiling document
2022 tax year$50,183,173$45,223,283$1,014,046,517Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year$55,156,360$48,373,229$1,070,642,519Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year$61,723,751$53,930,124$1,101,468,544Filing 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.

Sources

Other sources

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