Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1971, it operates as a United Arts Fund designed to support and engage central Oklahoma's cultural groups through community fundraising and strategic grantmaking. The organization enriches Oklahoma through arts education, funding nonprofit organizations, and creating experiences for underserved communities, impacting over one million residents annually.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.1M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+4.7% YoY
Grant Count
33
+22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$84K
-14.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To enrich the communities within central Oklahoma through the advancement of the arts by being the driving force for the arts in Oklahoma's dynamic growth.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Grants and allocations to 25 member agencies and various other small arts organizations in central Oklahoma
- Arts education funding for youth, particularly addressing budget cuts affecting Oklahoma schools
- Direct campaign and special project expenses connected with financial oversight of member agencies
- Cultural community impact activities and public policy input
- Volunteer coordination and support
- Planning for cultural community needs and providing information and referrals
The organization prioritizes youth arts education, recognizing that schools are losing art teachers and programs and increasingly rely on nonprofit arts groups to serve students. Allied Arts funding supports proven benefits of arts exposure, including creative problem-solving skills, improved school attendance, higher grades, standardized test scores, and enhanced communication skills.
Grantmaking
Allied Arts makes grants to arts and cultural nonprofits throughout central Oklahoma. Recent grant awards include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Central Oklahoma, with particular emphasis on serving nonprofit arts organizations and underserved communities throughout the region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,076,711
- Total Revenues: $4,516,284
- Total Expenses: $4,590,462
- Staff: 12 employees
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $8.4 million
- Total Revenues: $4 million
- Total Expenses: $4.66 million
The organization reported conflict of interest transactions in its June 2023 tax filing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,076,711 | $8,400,773 | $8,367,085 |
| Revenue | $4,516,284 | $4,004,997 | $4,223,136 |
| Expenses | $4,590,462 | $4,655,087 | $4,497,502 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $203,626 | $126,190 | $188,423 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
156 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc
Allied Arts: Allocations Grant Program
ALLIED ARTS OF OKLAHOMA INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Allied Arts: Educational Outreach - Winter Cycle Grant
ALLIED ARTS OF OKLAHOMA INC
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Allocations
ALLIED ARTS OF OKLAHOMA INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
March 27, 2027
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Okc Museum of Art ($359,483), Okc Philharmonic ($354,080), Science Museum Ok ($345,330).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| OKC MUSEUM OF ART Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $359,483 |
| SCIENCE MUSEUM OK Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $345,330 |
| OKC PHILHARMONIC Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $354,080 |
| LYRIC THEATRE Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $220,860 |
| OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $243,520 |
| OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $284,390 |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF OKC Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $177,750 |
| CANTERBURY CHORAL SOCIETY Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $65,830 |
| MABEE-GERRER ART MUSEUM Shawnee, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $71,640 |
| NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM Oklahoma City, OK | GEN / ED / OTHER | $68,140 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNNY CEARLEY | PRESIDENT / CEO (EFF 8/22) | 40 | $189,941 |
| GLEN MAYNARD | CHAIR | 0.25 | — |
| AIMEE HARLOW | VICE CHAIR | 0.25 | — |
| GRANT DEFEHR | SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| MAX MYERS | TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| ALEX BAGBY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARK BEFFORT | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CRAIG BOELTE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| TYLER BOLTON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DAN BOREN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CORDELL BROWN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BETSY BRUNSTETER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CATHY BUSEY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| GABRIELLE BUTLER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BRIAN BYRNES | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| KELLY CAVINESS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| KATI CHRIST | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JASON CONSTABLE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| AMY DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| PAUL DUDMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| RODNEY ENGLAND | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| TRACY ENLOE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JOSHUA FAHRENBRUCK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| HILLARY FARRELL | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| PETER FARRELL | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| POLLY FLEET | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARLA FREEMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| ASHLEY GOCKSTETTER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BAILEY GORDON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JENNIFER GRAY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JEFFREY GROVES | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BROOKE HANEBORG | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DANA HARPER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| RUSS HARRISON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CURTIS HAYES | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MORGAN HENRY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SCOTT INMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SUNIL ISAAC | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| STEVE KEENAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LOU KERR | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JIM KESSLER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BEN KIRK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DEBRA KOS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MICHAEL LAIRD | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LISA LOVE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| STEVE MASON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| GERON MORGAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| VALERIE NAIFEH | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DEBORAH NAUSER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| COLLINS PECK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| TORI PERRY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JAMES A PICKEL | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| FREDERICK REDWINE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LEAH ROPER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| TAYLOR SHINN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BLAIR SIMS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SAGE SMITH | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| JEFF STARLING | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| STEVEN SYLKE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SUZIE SYMCOX | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CHUCK THOMPSON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DEBBIE THOMPSON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LONNY TOWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| USHA TURNER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| ALBA WEAVER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARCUS WHITWORTH | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| HEATHER WILSON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DAVID WOODS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Allied Arts launched a 2026 Campaign with support from Honorary Chairs Leslie and Cliff Hudson. During March, donors contributing to the campaign had their gifts matched and were entered into a drawing to receive an Edgar Heap of Birds basketball.
The organization also announced an endowment match challenge to support ongoing operations and mission delivery.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc fund?
**Mission:** To enrich the communities within central Oklahoma through the advancement of the arts by being the driving force for the arts in Oklahoma's dynamic growth. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Grants and allocations to 25 member agencies and various other small arts organizations in central Oklahoma • Arts education funding for youth, particularly addressing budget cuts affecting Oklahoma schools • Direct campaign and special project expenses connected with financial oversight of member agen…
How do I apply for a grant from Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc?
**Grant Activity:** Allied Arts makes grants to arts and cultural nonprofits throughout central Oklahoma. Recent grant awards include: • Oklahoma City Museum of Art: $359,483 (2024) • Oklahoma Philharmonic Society: $354,080 (2024) • Science Museum Oklahoma: $345,330 (2024) The organization distributed over $2.7 million in grants to 33+ grantees in 2024. **Typical Award Range:** $5,122–$359,483 **Active Grant Programs:** • Allied Arts: Allocations Grant Program • Allied Arts: Educational Outreac…
Where does Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc make grants?
Central Oklahoma, with particular emphasis on serving nonprofit arts organizations and underserved communities throughout the region.
What size grants does Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc award?
In 2024, Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc awarded 33 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $84K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc's EIN?
Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-0804291. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc'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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