Mervin Bovaird Foundation
The Mervin Bovaird Foundation is a private foundation based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, established in 1955. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and has been tax-exempt since July 1957. It functions as an independent foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$46.4M
+15.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+5.6% YoY
Grant Count
72
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-6.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mervin Bovaird Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports social services, health, and education. It maintains a significant scholarship program for Tulsa County high school graduating seniors and graduates of Tulsa Community College who plan to attend the University of Tulsa for undergraduate study. Scholarship recipients are selected by the schools themselves, not by the foundation's trustees. Individual scholarships are limited to $6,000 per academic year.
The foundation also supports academic initiatives at the University of Tulsa, including the Mervin Bovaird Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Endowment Fund, the Mervin Bovaird Endowed Professor of Energy Business, and the Mervin Bovaird Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund for the Health Sciences.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on a preselected grantee model, typically selecting charitable organizations rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.
Grant Range
$10,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Oklahoma, with grantmaking concentrated in the state. Additional funding reaches organizations in Illinois and California. Overall, grantmaking reaches organizations across seven states, with Oklahoma, Illinois, and California accounting for 97% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income:
- Total assets: $46.4 million (as of 2024)
- Total assets have grown from $37 million (2011) to $46.4 million (2024)
- Annual income: $4.1 million
- Total giving: $1.967 million (2023)
- Revenue: $1.938 million (2023)
- Total liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $46,378,361 | $40,215,281 | $38,311,132 |
| Revenue | $4,082,253 | $1,938,131 | $-2,385,149 |
| Expenses | $2,704,847 | $2,465,385 | $2,404,019 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,114,752 | $1,996,715 | $1,758,299 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,867,184 | $1,483,050 | $296,092 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,228,276 | $2,051,726 | $2,105,137 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Philbrook Museum of Art Inc ($330,000), Oklahoma State University Foundation ($140,000), Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma ($80,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A New Leaf Tulsa, OK | General Support | $15,000 |
| Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter Chicago, IL | General Support | $25,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma Inc Tulsa, OK | General Support | $10,000 |
| Boston Avenue Helping Hands Inc Tulsa, OK | General Support | $20,000 |
| Boy Scouts of America Indian Nations Tulsa, OK | General Support | $5,000 |
| Brady Craft Inc (DBA 108 Contemporary) Tulsa, OK | General Support | $5,000 |
| Camp Fire Green Country Inc Tulsa, OK | General Support | $5,000 |
| Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges Tulsa, OK | General Support | $10,000 |
| Chamber Music Tulsa Inc Tulsa, OK | General Support | $20,000 |
| Child Abuse Network Inc (DBA Child Advocacy Network) Tulsa, OK | General Support | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Christopher Woosley serves as the principal officer of the foundation. The foundation is governed by five officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Contact Information
Address: 7424 S Yale Ave Ste 200, Tulsa, OK 74136-7151
Phone: 918-935-3250
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mervin Bovaird Foundation fund?
The foundation supports social services, health, and education. It maintains a significant scholarship program for Tulsa County high school graduating seniors and graduates of Tulsa Community College who plan to attend the University of Tulsa for undergraduate study. Scholarship recipients are selected by the schools themselves, not by the foundation's trustees. Individual scholarships are limited to $6,000 per academic year. The foundation also supports academic initiatives at the University o…
How do I apply for a grant from Mervin Bovaird Foundation?
The foundation operates on a preselected grantee model, typically selecting charitable organizations rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. **Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 317 grants totaling $7.2 million (based on available records) • Median grant size: $10,000 • Grant range: $5,000 to $364,000 • Average award: $24,000 • Annual giving has ranged from $2 million (2020) to $3.3 million (2022) **Recent Grants:** • Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa: $5,000 (2024, general support)
Where does Mervin Bovaird Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Oklahoma, with grantmaking concentrated in the state. Additional funding reaches organizations in Illinois and California. Overall, grantmaking reaches organizations across seven states, with Oklahoma, Illinois, and California accounting for 97% of all grants.
What size grants does Mervin Bovaird Foundation award?
In 2024, Mervin Bovaird Foundation awarded 72 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mervin Bovaird Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mervin Bovaird Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mervin Bovaird Foundation's EIN?
Mervin Bovaird Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-6102163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mervin Bovaird 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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