Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc
Community Action Project of Tulsa (CAP Tulsa) is a public charity based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed in 1974. It focuses on early childhood education and care for young children in lower-income families, alongside services intended to support their parents and families.
Key facts about Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc
In short: Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc gave $15.3M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $1.4M), mostly in Oklahoma. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 73-1019247
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,268,753
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $1,388,068
- Median grant
- $189,930
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (1 of 11, 2024)
- Total assets
- $70,865,350
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$70.9M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.3M
+14.2% YoY
Grant Count
11
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.4M
+14.2% YoY
Is Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 11 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $1.5M. How we count
Medians: $27K first-time, $204K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
CAP Tulsa’s mission is to help young children in lower-income families grow up and achieve economic success. Its website says its approach combines high-quality child care and early childhood education with family services intended to support parenting skills, employability, and earning potential.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes early learning and care for eligible families with children under five, family advancement services, and community development housing. Family services include parenting education, family engagement, English-language courses, emergency assistance, and behavioral health support. The filing says CAP Tulsa also contracts with community partners on affordable housing and neighborhood improvement services.
In 2024, grants were reported primarily for early childhood programs, with two grants designated for neighborhood stabilization. The grantees describe their own work as follows: Tulsa Educare says its mission is high-quality early childhood education, family engagement, and early learning supports; Sunbeam Family Services says it builds brighter futures with children and families; Crosstown Learning Center says it provides educational opportunities in a nurturing environment; and LIFT Community Action Agency says it works to improve the lives of low-income individuals and families through service and collaboration. Tulsa Habitat for Humanity says it brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope; United Community Action Program says it supports communities and families in creating a healthy, productive environment and access to quality services; and Growing Together says it creates pathways for children to break the cycle of poverty through education, community vibrancy, and the built environment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CAP Tulsa reported 11 grants totaling $15,268,753. Grant amounts ranged from $20,091 to $10,095,664, with a median of $189,930. The largest awards were $10,095,664 to Tulsa Educare Inc. and $2,683,806 to Union Public Schools, both for early childhood programs, followed by $1,431,924 to Sunbeam Family Services Inc. for early childhood programs. Other notable awards included $258,019 to the YMCA of Greater Tulsa and $218,103 to Crosstown Learning Center Inc., both for early childhood programs, and $127,400 to Tulsa Habitat for Humanity for neighborhood stabilization programs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma. The listed recipients were located in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman, Hugo, and Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.6M (2020) to $15.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $15.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tulsa Educare Inc ($10.1M). Together the top 10 received $15.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 22 grants of 58 (38%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa Educare Inc Tulsa, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $10,095,664 |
| Union Public Schools Tulsa, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $2,683,806 |
| Sunbeam Family Services Inc Oklahoma City, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $1,431,924 |
| The Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $258,019 |
| Crosstown Learning Center Inc Tulsa, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $218,103 |
| Crossroads Youth & Family Servivces Inc Norman, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $189,930 |
| Lift Community Action Agency Hugo, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $183,829 |
| Tulsa Habitat for Humanity Tulsa, OK | Neighborhood Stabilization Programs | $127,400 |
| Play Hard LLC Tulsa, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $33,244 |
| United Community Action Program Inc Pawnee, OK | Early Childhood Programs | $26,743 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $70,865,350 | $68,854,562 | $72,237,205 | $15,268,753 |
| 2023 | $74,773,316 | $67,911,552 | $69,450,498 | $13,367,808 |
| 2022 | $74,225,660 | $65,336,188 | $65,968,421 | $12,515,861 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $70,865,350 | $74,773,316 | $74,225,660 |
| Revenue | $68,854,562 | $67,911,552 | $65,336,188 |
| Expenses | $72,237,205 | $69,450,498 | $65,968,421 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,506,957 | $1,677,256 | $976,217 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Dr. Anita Ede, president; Brad Cunningham, vice president; Jonathan Joiner, treasurer; Dr. Joyce McClellan, secretary through July 2024; and directors Ryan Alden, Dr. Sherry Been, Carlos Bejarano, George Charlton Jr., Jim East through March 2024, and Dr. John Federline.
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc is led by Karen Tilkin, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 7 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Tilkin
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$325K (2023) → $330K (2024)
Anita Ede
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Drew France
Senior Director Strat Plann, It & Committee Ints
Senior Director Development & Strategic Planning → Senior Director Development & Strategic Plann, 2023
Senior Director Development & Strategic Plann → Senior Director Strat Plann, It & Committee Ints, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$131K (2020) → $167K (2024)
Jeff Gilstrap
Director Information & Technology
Director of Information & Technology → Director Information & Technology, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$146K (2020) → $169K (2024)
Lori Kerns
Hr & Org Development Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$142K (2024)
Carlos Bejarano
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Charlton Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hitesh Pushpraj
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirt Hartzler
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Settoon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christy Ptak
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mica Harding
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim East
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Alden
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Been
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Jarvis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Handy-Pipestem
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Govig
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Federline
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Phelps
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Boatright
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$164K (2020) → $178K (2024)
Catheryn Ackenhausen
Chief Talent Officer
Director Hr & Org. Development → Chief Talent Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$132K (2022) → $180K (2024)
Michael Madsen
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $175K (2024)
Brad Cunningham
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Joiner
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joyce McClellan
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Jennifer Zuyus (2020–2023) — Inhouse Legal Counsel
- Former: Lex Anderson (2020–2023) — Chief Fiscal Officer
- Former: Phil McCoy (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Norman Gayle (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Shalyone Richardson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Eileen Leonard (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Karen Kiely (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Bernard Mason (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Brian Paschal (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Catherine Ackenhausen (2020–2021) — Director Hr & Organizational Development
- Former: Ed Fariss (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kristina Zelenski (2021) — Director
- Former: Carol Owens (2020) — Past Director
- Former: Christina Zelenski (2020) — Director
- Former: Elvira Bernal (2020) — Past Director
- Former: Gregory Graham (2020) — Past Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $330K, to Karen Tilkin (Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 5330 E 31St Street 300, Tulsa, OK 74135
Phone: (918) 382-3200
Website: https://captulsa.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc
How much does Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc give each year?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc gave $15.3M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $13.4M across 11 grants.
What is Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's typical grant size?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's median grant in 2024 was $189,930, and its average grant was $1,388,068, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc that year got $27K on average.
Where does Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc give grants?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc gives mostly in Oklahoma: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (7 grants).
Does Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Early Childhood Programs" (9 grants).
Who are Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's largest grantees?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Tulsa Educare Inc ($10,095,664), Union Public Schools ($2,683,806) and Sunbeam Family Services Inc ($1,431,924), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc reported $70.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $68.9M.
What does Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc fund?
CAP Tulsa’s mission is to help young children in lower-income families grow up and achieve economic success. Its website says its approach combines high-quality child care and early childhood education with family services intended to support parenting skills, employability, and earning potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check captulsa.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's EIN?
Community Action Project of Tulsa County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1019247. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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