Ad Astra Foundation
Ad Astra Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1986 and based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private grantmaking foundation. It functions with no employees and maintains its headquarters at 5653 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-7769.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.8M
+7.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+70.7% YoY
Grant Count
32
-3.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+76.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ad Astra Foundation reported a distributable amount of $515K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on the performing arts and education. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to supporting visual arts initiatives, notably the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (V.A.S.E.) scholarship program. The foundation also sponsors various fundraising events throughout the year, including participation in the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's (OVAC) 12x12 art fundraiser.
Grantmaking
Ad Astra Foundation made 32 grants in 2024. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, with a concentration on Oklahoma City-based nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total Assets: $5,806,384
- Total Revenue: $1,144,169
- Total Expenses: $1,100,657
- Net Income: $43
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $267,967
The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since July 1986 (EIN: 73-1278163).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,806,384 | $5,419,026 | $4,223,690 |
| Revenue | $1,144,169 | $1,062,249 | $1,074,289 |
| Expenses | $1,100,657 | $668,647 | $619,801 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,027,123 | $604,650 | $562,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,086,592 | $1,013,053 | $1,030,241 |
| Distributable Amount | $514,772 | $486,341 | $480,925 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Casady Performing Arts Complex ($516,667), Casady Performing Arts Complex ($150,000), OK Blood Institute ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boy Scouts of American National Fou Irving, TX | SEA BASE | $10,000 |
| Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble Oklahoma City, OK | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| Canterbury Voices Oklahoma City, OK | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| Casady Performing Arts Complex Oklahoma City, OK | UNRESTRICTED | $150,000 |
| Cheetah Conservation Fund Alexandria, VA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| Cimarron Opera Norman, OK | OPERA THEATER CAMP 2024 | $26,000 |
| OCCC Foundation Oklahoma City, OK | MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS | $7,500 |
| OKC Philharmonic Oklahoma City, OK | UNRESTRICTED | $100 |
| Oklahoma City Museum of Art Oklahoma City, OK | RENAISSANCE BALL - 09/06/2024 | $3,000 |
| Oklahoma Arts Institute Oklahoma City, OK | 2024 SUMMER ARTS INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Sias Pippin | President | — | — |
| Phil Pippin | Treasurer | — | — |
| Richard Pippin | Board Member | — | — |
| Philip Pippin | Board Member | — | — |
| John Pippin | Board Member | — | — |
Contact Information
Telephone: 405-848-2113
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ad Astra Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on the performing arts and education. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to supporting visual arts initiatives, notably the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (V.A.S.E.) scholarship program. The foundation also sponsors various fundraising events throughout the year, including participation in the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's (OVAC) 12x12 art fundraiser.
How do I apply for a grant from Ad Astra Foundation?
Ad Astra Foundation made 32 grants in 2024. Recent grants include: • Cimarron Circuit Opera Company: $26,000 (Opera Theater Camp 2024) • Canterbury Voices: $25,000 (Unrestricted) • Painted Sky Opera: $25,000 (2024 Productions) The foundation supports organizations located in Oklahoma City and throughout Oklahoma, including nonprofits such as the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma.
Where does Ad Astra Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, with a concentration on Oklahoma City-based nonprofits.
What size grants does Ad Astra Foundation award?
In 2024, Ad Astra Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ad Astra Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ad Astra Foundation reported a distributable amount of $515K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ad Astra Foundation's EIN?
Ad Astra Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1278163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ad Astra Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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