Clayton And Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.38-2.65 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $250,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: National (concentration in Missouri, South Dakota, and other Midwest states)

Contact Details

• Mailing Address: PO Box 653067, Dallas, TX 75265-3067
• Website: None available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Clayton And Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2020 with approximately $44 million in assets. The foundation honors Clayton B. Ofstad, a former English and linguistics professor at Truman State University (1967-1987), and his wife Odessa Lang Ofstad, who served as Special Collections Librarian at the same institution (1967-1993). Operating through a Bank of America trustee structure, the foundation distributes approximately $2.4-2.6 million annually to organizations across education, arts and culture, and human services. The foundation has steadily increased its grant activity from 13 awards in 2021 to 24 awards in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants ranging from $15,000 to $250,000 to qualified organizations.

Priority Areas

• Higher Education: Endowed chairs, scholarships, library acquisitions, and academic programs
• Arts & Culture: Music institutions, publications, cultural programs
• Human Services: Food security initiatives through partners like Feeding America
• Linguistics and English Literature: Reflecting Clayton Ofstad's academic background

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but grants appear limited to established 501(c)(3) organizations with demonstrated track records.

Governance and Leadership

Co-Trustee: Odessa L. Ofstad (Kirksville, MO/Dallas, TX) Corporate Trustee: Bank of America N.A. (receives approximately $314,279 annually in trustee fees)

The foundation operates under a Bank of America Private Bank trustee model, where the bank manages investments and grant distributions in accordance with trust documents, with input from Odessa Ofstad as co-trustee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion, typically to organizations with pre-existing relationships to the Ofstad family or through Bank of America Private Bank's philanthropic advisory services.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should consider:

• Building relationships with Truman State University's development office, given the foundation's strong ties to the institution
• Connecting through Bank of America Private Bank's Philanthropic Solutions group, which manages over 5,000 private foundations nationally
• Demonstrating alignment with the Ofstads' documented interests in higher education, linguistics, literature, and library sciences
• Establishing credibility through partnerships with current grantees like the National Music Museum or Feeding America

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available; decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis at trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented; likely determined on a case-by-case basis.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and trustee structure:

• Pre-existing relationships appear crucial - many recipients have historical connections to the Ofstads or Truman State University
• Educational and cultural institutions in the Midwest region receive priority consideration
• Established organizations with strong track records are favored over new or emerging nonprofits
• Alignment with the Ofstads' professional backgrounds in academia, libraries, and linguistics strengthens proposals
• Organizations working through Bank of America's Philanthropic Solutions network may have better access

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder with no public application process - cold applications are unlikely to succeed
• Focus on building connections through Truman State University or Bank of America Private Bank channels
• The foundation has increased its grant-making activity each year since 2021, suggesting growing capacity
• Geographic presence in Missouri, South Dakota, or other Midwest states appears advantageous
• Educational institutions, particularly those focusing on English, linguistics, creative writing, or library sciences, align well with founder interests
• With $44 million in assets and annual giving of $2.4-2.6 million, the foundation has substantial capacity for major gifts
• Partner organizations like Feeding America have successfully secured support, suggesting openness to human services causes beyond education

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Clayton And Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation. Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/856300108
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Clayton and Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation. Accessed February 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/clayton-and-odessa-lang-ofstad-foundation
• Truman State University - Ofstad Visiting Scholar Program. Accessed February 2026. https://www.truman.edu/academics/school-of-arts-and-humanities/about-the-english-department/ofstad-visiting-scholar-program/
• Truman Media Network - "Clayton B. Ofstad leaves a legacy". Accessed February 2026. https://tmn.truman.edu/blog/news/campus/clayton-b-ofstad-leaves-a-legacy/
• Feeding America - Supporting Partners. Accessed February 2026. https://www.feedingamerica.org/partners/food-and-fund-partners/supporting-partners/lang-ofstad-foundation
• National Music Museum Publications. Accessed February 2026. https://national-music-museum.myshopify.com/products/book-nmm-goes-electric
• Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions - Private Foundation Services. Accessed February 2026. https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/private-foundations/
• Charity Navigator - Clayton and Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/856300108