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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Annual Giving
$48.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $48.4 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $34,000,000
  • Typical Grant: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Oklahoma, with some national reach
  • Assets: $1.09 billion (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 580-224-6247

Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=noble

Website: https://noblefoundation.org/granting/

Overview

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation was established in 2017 as a private grantmaking foundation with an $897 million endowment, separated from the Noble Research Institute to focus exclusively on philanthropic activities. Founded on the legacy of Oklahoma oilman Lloyd Noble, who created the original organization in 1945 to help revitalize agriculture after the Dust Bowl, the foundation continues his vision of supporting land stewardship and community development. With current assets exceeding $1 billion, the foundation distributed $48.4 million across 177 grants in 2023. Since the original organization's first grant of $14,000 to the University of Oklahoma in 1946, the Noble philanthropic legacy has provided more than $328 million in scholarships and grants to nonprofits. The foundation's strategic focus remains steadfast: funding agricultural research at the Noble Research Institute while making charitable grants that cultivate good health, support education, and build stronger communities, with particular emphasis on Oklahoma.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: $1,000 - $34,000,000 (typical grants: $10,000 - $50,000)

  • Letter of inquiry accepted January 1 through June 1 annually
  • Online application through GrantInterface portal
  • Single-year commitments only

Sam Noble Scholarship Program:

  • Agriculture track: $3,000/semester (undergrad), $3,600/semester (graduate)
  • Total potential: $24,000 (Bachelor's), $14,400 (Master's)
  • Technology track also available
  • For students from 15 south-central and southeastern Oklahoma counties
  • Applications due March 1

Employee Matching Grants: $187,500 annually

  • Matches contributions by board members and employees to qualifying educational institutions

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Agricultural research conducted by Noble Research Institute (single largest funding commitment)

Secondary Focus - Community Grants:

  • Health: Healthcare delivery systems, health research, addiction and mental health services, services for vulnerable populations
  • Education: Higher education capital projects, K-12 programs, educational access and scholarships
  • Community Building: Services for domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, youth programs, arts organizations

Geographic Emphasis:

  • Strong preference for Oklahoma organizations and projects, particularly south-central and central Oklahoma
  • Secondary consideration for other U.S. states including Texas and California

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals (except through scholarship programs)
  • For-profit entities
  • Multiyear commitments
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations located outside the United States

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Vivian Noble DuBose

  • President and CEO of Noble Properties
  • Descendant of Lloyd Noble

The foundation's board primarily consists of Lloyd Noble's descendants, who are paid between $38,000 and $48,000 annually for six hours of work per week.

Notable Board Members:

  • James Day: Former president and CEO of the Noble Corporation, longtime Noble Corporation executive
  • Virginia "Ginger" Heckman: Great-granddaughter of Lloyd Noble

Governance Structure: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation serves as the sole member/manager of Noble Research Institute, providing leadership to carry out charitable purposes in accordance with founder Lloyd Noble's vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1 - Letter of Inquiry (LOI):

Step 2 - Invitation to Full Application:

  • After preliminary review, selected organizations receive formal grant application
  • Not all LOIs result in full application invitations

Contact for Questions:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 580-224-6247

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the January-June LOI window, decisions likely occur on a rolling basis or in funding cycles following the close of the LOI period.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose acceptance rates or success rates. In 2023, they made 177 awards totaling $48.4 million, down from 198 awards in 2020 and 182 awards in 2021, suggesting moderately selective grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Organizations are encouraged to contact foundation staff with questions about reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding history and priorities:

Strong Oklahoma Connection: With assets exceeding $1 billion but concentrated grantmaking in Oklahoma, geographic proximity to Ardmore and demonstrated service to Oklahoma communities significantly increases competitiveness. Recent funded examples include A Chance to Change (Oklahoma City), Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma ($15,000), and The Grace Center of Southern Oklahoma ($7,500).

Alignment with Agricultural Legacy: The foundation's primary commitment remains funding agricultural research at the Noble Research Institute. Projects that connect to land stewardship, agricultural education, or rural community support align with founder Lloyd Noble's original vision established after the Dust Bowl.

Health and Education Infrastructure: Significant grants support institutional capacity in healthcare and education. The December 2024 grant of $50,000 to Oklahoma City University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program demonstrates interest in addressing workforce shortages and building educational infrastructure that serves Oklahoma residents.

Service to Vulnerable Populations: The foundation has sustained longstanding relationships with organizations serving low-income communities, domestic violence victims, homeless populations, and those lacking access to mental health and addiction services. A Chance to Change received $620,000 over nearly 30 years, illustrating the value placed on proven impact with underserved communities.

Realistic Budget Requests: While the foundation has made grants exceeding $34 million (likely to Noble Research Institute), typical community grants range from $10,000 to $50,000. The median grant of $10,000 suggests that smaller, focused requests are common and competitive.

Single-Year Projects: The foundation explicitly states it "will not consider requests for multiyear commitments." Applications should present complete, achievable objectives within a one-year timeframe.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Submit early in the LOI window (January 1 - June 1) to ensure consideration, as the foundation operates with fixed annual cycles
  • Emphasize Oklahoma impact, particularly for south-central and central Oklahoma communities, as this is the foundation's clear geographic priority
  • Demonstrate sustainability since multiyear funding is not available; show how one year of support creates lasting impact or positions the organization for future self-sufficiency
  • Connect to the Noble legacy of land stewardship, agricultural advancement, or community resilience when applicable
  • Focus grant requests in the $10,000 - $50,000 range for competitive community grants, unless requesting major institutional support
  • Highlight service to underserved populations in health, education, or community services, as these align with the foundation's core priorities
  • Consider scholarship programs for eligible students from the 15-county service area pursuing agricultural or technology education

References

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