El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation
The E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1994 by Edward L. Gaylord and his wife Thelma. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting charitable activities that benefit Oklahoma and its residents. The foundation became tax-exempt in December 1995.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$260.1M
-2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.6M
+10.3% YoY
Grant Count
134
-13.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$116K
+27.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation exists for the betterment of the communities in which the Gaylords lived, continuing their commitment to improving the lives of Oklahomans and preserving the heritage and natural resources of the state. The foundation supports a wide range of philanthropic causes with special emphasis in:
- Arts
- Education
- Medical research
- Children's issues
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$200 to $1,300,000
Review Cycle
to decision
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a strong geographic preference for the greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area. The foundation no longer accepts grant requests from organizations outside this region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $265.7 million (as of 2023)
- Annual revenue: $9.7 million
- Annual expenses: $16.3 million
- Total liabilities: $784 (as of 2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $260,100,056 | $265,690,800 | $272,330,285 |
| Revenue | $12,788,185 | $9,676,301 | $60,015,065 |
| Expenses | $16,730,150 | $16,320,320 | $13,744,064 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $15,863,381 | $14,397,243 | $13,044,712 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,749,774 | $7,550,173 | $58,472,000 |
| Distributable Amount | $15,441,447 | $14,584,929 | $13,364,133 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Casady School ($1,502,000), Communities Foundation of Oklahoma ($520,000), Healthy Minds Healthy Lives Foundation ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A CHANCE TO CHANGE FOUNDATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $40,000 |
| ALLIED ARTS OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $54,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY OF OKC OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ANNA'S HOUSE FOUNDATION EDMOND, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| AUTISM FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| BETHESDA INC NORMAN, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| BLAZE'S TRIBUTE EQUINE RESCUE INC HARRAH, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF OK COUNTY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| CALM WATERS OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Co-Trustees:
- Christy Gaylord Everest
- Mary Gaylord McClean
- Louise Gaylord Bennett
- Tricia L. Everest
Each trustee receives compensation of $10,000 for their roles.
Founders: Edward L. Gaylord (1919–2003) was a prominent media executive and businessman who led the Oklahoma Publishing Company and founded Gaylord Entertainment Company, developing major assets including Gaylord Hotels, The Nashville Network, the Grand Ole Opry, and Opryland USA.
Thelma Gaylord (1918–1999) served in many roles as a corporate executive and civic leader. Her contributions over nearly five decades to various cultural, educational, and charitable organizations enriched the life of Oklahoma. In 1987, Governor Henry Bellmon named her as one of the first recipients of his "State of Excellence" award for her positive contributions to Oklahoma.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTY GAYLORD EVEREST | CO-TRUSTEE | 3 | $10,000 |
| MARY GAYLORD MCCLEAN | CO-TRUSTEE | 3 | $10,000 |
| LOUISE GAYLORD BENNETT | CO-TRUSTEE | 3 | $10,000 |
| TRICIA L EVEREST | CO-TRUSTEE | 3 | $10,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively distribute grants to organizations in the Oklahoma City area. Recent grant activity includes a $20,000 grant to Upward Transitions in 2025.
Gaylord Foundation grants $20K to Upward TransitionsContact Information
- Website: www.gaylordfoundation.com
- Address: 6305 Waterford Blvd Ste 350, Oklahoma City, OK 73118-1176
- Phone: 405-607-6301
- EIN: 73-1463569
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation fund?
The foundation exists for the betterment of the communities in which the Gaylords lived, continuing their commitment to improving the lives of Oklahomans and preserving the heritage and natural resources of the state. The foundation supports a wide range of philanthropic causes with special emphasis in: • Arts • Education • Medical research • Children's issues
How do I apply for a grant from El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation?
**Grant Distribution:** • Annual giving: $14.1 million • Approximately 155 grants awarded annually • Grant range: $200 to $1,300,000 • Median grant size: $25,000 **Application Process:** • Organizations submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through an online grant request portal • Funding is distributed through two biannual cycles (Spring and Fall) • Organizations are limited to one grant request per year • Decision time: approximately 3 months from deadline to decision • The foundation does not mak…
Where does El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a strong geographic preference for the greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area. The foundation no longer accepts grant requests from organizations outside this region.
What size grants does El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation award?
In 2024, El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation awarded 134 grants totaling $15.6M — an average of about $116K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation's EIN?
El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1463569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in El and Thelma Gaylord 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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