Charles W Harris Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Tulsa, OK EIN: 26-4536771

Charles W Harris Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, established in 2010. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for philanthropic purposes and holds tax-exempt status.

Key facts about Charles W Harris Foundation

EIN: 26-4536771
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $512,000
Grants made (2024): 30
Average grant: $17,067
Median grant: $10,000
Total assets: $10,185,444
Primary geography: Oklahoma (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply: The foundation does not publish open calls for proposals. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Charles W Harris Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Charles W Harris Foundation's 30 itemized 2024 grants were Oklahoma (87%) and Wisconsin (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (22 grants). None of its 30 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (6 grants), "Community Programs" (5 grants) and "Child Protection" (3 grants).

How Charles W Harris Foundation gives

97% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Giving grew 2238% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Next steps with Charles W Harris Foundation

How to evaluate Charles W Harris Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
Draft an LOI to Charles W Harris Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$10.2M

-1.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$512K

-4.3% YoY

Grant Count

-3.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$17K

-1.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charles W Harris Foundation reported a distributable amount of $535K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. Based on grant distribution patterns, funding priorities include:

Education
Human Services
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Historic Preservation
Food Security

Grantmaking

Grant Range

$1,200 to $225,000

Average Grant

$18,600

How to Apply

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Charles W Harris Foundation?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Primary service area: Oklahoma (particularly Tulsa)

Secondary funding regions: Wisconsin, Kansas

Grant Distribution by State

Oklahoma $445K (87%)

Wisconsin $63K (12%)

Kansas $5K (1%)

Share of all 30 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Kansas Oklahoma Wisconsin

Cities

TulsaOshkoshChelseaFrederickSand SpringsBartlesvilleKansasOkemahOklahoma CityTopekaFoyil

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:

Metric	Amount
Total Assets	$10,185,444
Total Revenue	$572,763
Total Expenses	$731,889
Net Income	-$159,126
Charitable Disbursements	$512,000

Revenue Sources (2024):

Dividends: $307,498 (53.7%)
Interest Revenue: $135,699 (23.7%)
Sales of Assets: $129,566 (22.6%)

The foundation derives revenue entirely from investment returns rather than contributions.

Compensation: Officer compensation totaled $113,156 in 2024, representing 15.5% of total expenses. This is below the sector median of 15% for comparable organizations.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$10,185,444	$10,344,570	$10,924,158
Revenue	$572,763	$196,600	$-63,681
Expenses	$731,889	$776,188	$817,212
Qualifying Distributions	$512,000	$535,000	$553,500
Net Investment Income	$477,304	$207,418	$163,013
Distributable Amount	$535,109	$511,907	$529,272

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

99 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Eaa Aviation Foundation Inc ($62,500), Clarehouse ($50,000), Community Food Bank Eastern Oklahom ($50,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION INC Oshkosh, WI	EDUCATIONAL	$62,500
CLAREHOUSE Tulsa, OK	END OF LIFE CARE	$50,000
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK EASTERN OKLAHOM Tulsa, OK	FOOD BANK FOR NEEDY	$50,000
MEALS ON WHEELS Tulsa, OK	HOMEBOUND SERVICES	$50,000
CATHOLIC CHARITIES Tulsa, OK	END OF LIFE CARE	$50,000
IRON GATE Tulsa, OK	FOOD BANK	$25,000
REVITALIZE T-TOWN Tulsa, OK	COMMUNITY PROGRAMS	$20,000
LIFE SENIOR SERVICES Tulsa, OK	SENIOR ASSISTANCE	$15,000
JOHN 316 MISSION Tulsa, OK	HOMELESS SERVICES	$15,000
WWII AIRBORNE DEMONSTRATION TEAM Frederick, OK	EDUCATIONAL	$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

President: Elizabeth A Kersey ($61,433 annual compensation, 2024)
Secretary: Robyn Owens ($52,000 annual compensation, 2024)

The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Elizabeth a Kersey	President	15	$61,433
Robyn Owens	Secretary	0.5	$51,723

Contact Information

Address: 5319 S Lewis Ave Ste 206, Tulsa, OK 74105

Phone: (918) 760-1474

EIN: 26-4536771

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Charles W Harris Foundation fund?

The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. Based on grant distribution patterns, funding priorities include: • Education • Human Services • Arts, Culture & Humanities • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Historic Preservation • Food Security

How do I apply for a grant from Charles W Harris Foundation?

The foundation does not publish open calls for proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

Where does Charles W Harris Foundation make grants?

Primary service area: Oklahoma (particularly Tulsa) Secondary funding regions: Wisconsin, Kansas

What size grants does Charles W Harris Foundation award?

In 2024, Charles W Harris Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $512K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Charles W Harris Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Charles W Harris Foundation reported a distributable amount of $535K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.