George Kaiser Family Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) is a public charity based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed in 1999. It works to break the cycle of poverty and make Tulsa a place where children and families can thrive, with particular attention to children and families from less advantaged backgrounds.
George Kaiser Family Foundation at a glance
In short: George Kaiser Family Foundation gave $99.9M across 383 grants in 2024 (avg $261K), mostly in Oklahoma. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $99,941,810
- -29.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 383
- -26.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $260,945
- -3.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $5,090,304,364
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (73 of 257, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to George Kaiser Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
GKFF does not accept unsolicited requests for its general work. Its website directs prospective partners to the Accelerator Grants process for that initiative; the program listing describes quarterly reviews.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7030 S Yale Avenue 600, Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: (918) 494-8823
Website: https://gkff.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from George Kaiser Family Foundation
GKFF Accelerator Grants
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
GKFF Artists Creative Fund Grant
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
GKFF Tulsa Artist Fellowship Grant
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Amount
More than US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who George Kaiser Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Action Project of Tulsa ($20.4M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $67.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,109 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 981 grants of 2,109 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GKFF focuses on Tulsa. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma; the listed recipient-state shares also included Arkansas at 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 383 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is George Kaiser Family Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 73 of 257 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $94K; repeat grants $506K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $81K repeat.
- 65% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $90.3M (2020) to $140.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 383 grants totaling $99.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Action Project of Tulsa Tulsa, OK | BEST OECP+Match Program Grant FY25 | $20,163,905 |
| Housing Partners of Tulsa Inc Tulsa, OK | Choice Neighborhood Application: Comanche Park(over five years) | $10,750,000 |
| Still She Rises Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Fy25 General Operating Fund | $2,427,574 |
| The Parent Child Center of Tulsa Tulsa, OK | BEST Healthy Steps Program Grant FY25 | $2,379,616 |
| Grand Lake Mental Health Ctr Inc Tulsa, OK | Capital Campaign | $2,000,000 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | InvestNorth Community Fund TCF Invest North Quick | $2,000,000 |
| Family and Children's Services Tulsa, OK | Women in Recovery | $1,718,423 |
| Tulsa City-County Health Depart Tulsa, OK | BEST Family Advocates | $1,585,541 |
| Tulsa Educare Inc Tulsa, OK | BEST Early Learning Works | $1,577,326 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | Greenwood Rising PRI Loan Forgiveness | $1,527,536 |
Ready to take the next step with George Kaiser Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,090,304,364 | $549,695,640 | $274,018,679 | $99,941,810 | 383 | $91,037,757 |
| 2023 | $4,939,370,305 | $736,156,680 | $263,309,460 | $140,860,318 | 523 | $23,575,199 |
| 2022 | $4,921,816,352 | $813,108,548 | $241,426,057 | $103,955,140 | 455 | $261,529,723 |
| 2021 | $5,269,362,275 | $213,681,742 | $238,750,435 | $120,534,045 | 339 | $91,655,581 |
| 2020 | $4,216,369,136 | $147,545,498 | $181,461,156 | $90,261,253 | 409 | $119,505,263 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GKFF says its mission is to create equal opportunity and reverse the generational cycle of poverty, especially for young children and their families. Its website describes an approach that uses evidence-based practices, works with public and private partners, and adapts programs based on outcomes.
The 2024 filing describes support for Tulsa Community Foundation and related entities, civic enhancement projects, social services and community health initiatives, and urban growth and renewal programs. Grant recipients in 2024 included organizations working in early childhood education, affordable housing, legal advocacy for mothers and caregivers, child abuse prevention, mental health, and family well-being. For example, Community Action Project of Tulsa County describes its mission as helping young children in lower-income families grow up and achieve economic success. Housing Partners of Tulsa says it provides affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income Tulsans and promotes self-sufficiency and home ownership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, GKFF reported 383 grants totaling $99,941,810. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $20,163,905, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $20,163,905 to Community Action Project of Tulsa for the BEST OECP+Match Program Grant FY25 and $10,750,000 to Housing Partners of Tulsa for the Comanche Park Choice Neighborhood application over five years. Other large awards included $2,427,574 to Still She Rises Tulsa for general operating support and $2,379,616 to The Parent Child Center of Tulsa for its BEST Healthy Steps Program.
GKFF’s website says it does not accept unsolicited proposals and instead partners directly with community-based organizations and service providers whose work aligns with its mission. Its Accelerator Grants initiative is intended to increase access to financial and technical support for historically disadvantaged and underfunded nonprofits that do not currently receive GKFF support. Applications are evaluated for alignment with the initiative’s aims, including support for under-resourced communities and a clear, actionable plan. The program listing describes quarterly reviews in February, May, August, and November.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ken Levit as Executive Director. It lists Frederic Dorwart, Phil Lakin, Emily L Kaiser, Leah M Kaiser, Philip A Kaiser, Chester Cadieux III, Ray Owens, and Rose Washington-Jones as directors, and Lisa Lambert as Chief Investment Officer for Private Markets.
George Kaiser Family Foundation is led by Ken Levit, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 9 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ken Levit
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$579K (2020) → $720K (2024)
Chester Cadieux III
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily L Kaiser
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederic Dorwart
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah M Kaiser
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Lakin
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip A Kaiser
Board of Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Owens
Board of Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Washington-Jones
Board of Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Santee
Chief Program Officer
Senior Program Officer → Chief Program Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $367K (2024)
Annie Van Hanken
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$314K (2020) → $403K (2024)
William J Stava III
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$427K (2020) → $492K (2024)
John Budd III
Chief Op Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$416K (2022) → $444K (2024)
Reid Spears
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$351K (2022) → $378K (2024)
Benjamin Stewart
Senior Program Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$367K (2024)
John Robson
Chief Acct Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$236K (2024)
Lisa Lambert
Chief Inv. Off.-Private Markets
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$1M (2024)
Former officers (6)
- Former: Robert Thomas (2020–2023) — Chief Inv. Officer
- Former: Julio Baden (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Brian Zorb (2020–2022) — Investment Officer
- Former: Phil Frohlich (2020–2022) — Board of Director
- Former: Rose Washington (2021–2022) — Board of Director
- Former: Tyson Banbury (2020–2021) — Investment Officer
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 $1.0M, to Lisa Lambert (Chief Inv. Off.-Private Markets). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about George Kaiser Family Foundation
How much does George Kaiser Family Foundation give each year?
George Kaiser Family Foundation gave $99.9M across 383 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $140.9M across 523 grants.
What is George Kaiser Family Foundation's typical grant size?
George Kaiser Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $260,945, across 383 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from George Kaiser Family Foundation that year got $94K on average.
Where does George Kaiser Family Foundation give grants?
George Kaiser Family Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (312 grants), Oklahoma City, OK (20 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Broken Arrow, OK (7 grants).
Does George Kaiser Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of George Kaiser Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (94 of 383) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "SSSN-Programmatic Funding 2024" (28 grants), "GKFF A&I: Round VIII" (4 grants) and "SSSN Gen Ops Funding 2024" (4 grants).
Who are George Kaiser Family Foundation's largest grantees?
George Kaiser Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Action Project of Tulsa ($20,368,282 across 2 grants), Tulsa Community Foundation ($19,625,746 across 60 grants) and Housing Partners of Tulsa Inc ($10,750,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is George Kaiser Family Foundation?
George Kaiser Family Foundation reported $5.1B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $549.7M.
What does George Kaiser Family Foundation fund?
GKFF says its mission is to create equal opportunity and reverse the generational cycle of poverty, especially for young children and their families. Its website describes an approach that uses evidence-based practices, works with public and private partners, and adapts programs based on outcomes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from George Kaiser Family Foundation?
GKFF does not accept unsolicited requests for its general work. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is George Kaiser Family Foundation's EIN?
George Kaiser Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1574370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does George Kaiser Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George Kaiser Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation funds healthcare and related services, with a primary focus on indigent care and women’s and children’s health, as well as areas such as behavioral health, food access, family safety, and child development. It focuses on the Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area, with most recent grants going to Oklahoma organizations; grants ranged from $10,000 to $1 million, with a median of $75,000 in 2024. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$107.9M
Grants
36
Total Given
$5.8M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Zarrow Families Foundation
Tulsa, OK
The foundation supports efforts through its Commemoration Fund to address social, political, and economic injustices affecting Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color, with grants restricted to the Tulsa, Oklahoma region. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $19,875. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
46
Total Given
$1.1M
Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation
Tulsa, OK
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations working on community vitality, education and youth development, social services, inclusion and equity, health, arts, and related needs, primarily in Tulsa and the surrounding area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $30,000, though awards ranged from $229 to $1.35 million. New organizations and those not funded in the prior calendar year must request an invitation to apply.
Assets
$14.4M
Grants
101
Total Given
$12.1M
St John Medical Center Inc
St. Louis, MO
This funder supports Oklahoma organizations working in healthcare access and other community needs, including food access, housing, homelessness, senior health, and youth programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $21,494 to $1.62 million, with a median of $97,200. The available materials do not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$289.6M
Grants
47
Total Given
$11.5M
Mervin Bovaird Foundation
Tulsa, OK
The Mervin Bovaird Foundation supports a range of organizations, including universities, arts and cultural institutions, and nonprofits working in food assistance, literacy, conservation, housing, and services for homebound people. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $330,000, with a median of $10,000; 91% of grant dollars went to Oklahoma recipients. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$46.4M
Grants
72
Total Given
$2.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Oklahoma
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). George Kaiser Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/george-kaiser-family-foundation-morg_4a6537656ff744eca80f8bc0d52c2d7c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_731574370_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{George Kaiser Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/george-kaiser-family-foundation-morg_4a6537656ff744eca80f8bc0d52c2d7c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from George Kaiser Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
George Kaiser Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?