Oklahoma Bar Foundation
The Oklahoma Bar Foundation (OBF) is an Oklahoma City-based public charity that makes grants to advance justice, support civil legal services for people in need, and increase understanding of the American legal system. Its website describes it as a nonprofit founded by members of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1946.
Oklahoma Bar Foundation at a glance
In short: Oklahoma Bar Foundation gave $3.1M across 61 grants in 2024 (avg $52K), mostly in Oklahoma. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,145,214
- +88.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 61
- +22.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $51,561
- +54.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $33,821,010
- +28.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (14 of 60, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (98% 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 Oklahoma Bar Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the application process for the relevant grant program. Court grant applicants are required to sign grant agreements and submit mid-year and end-of-year reports. Mortgage foreclosure and community redevelopment grants are restricted to their stated purposes, and grantees must sign grant agreements and submit mid-year and end-of-year reports.
- Review Cycle
- The court grant application cycle listed on OBF’s website opened January 5, 2026, and had a March 9, 2026 deadline; that cycle has passed. Applicant interviews were listed for April 7, 2026, as tentative.
- Deadline
- The court grant application cycle listed on OBF’s website opened January 5, 2026, and had a March 9, 2026 deadline;…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1901 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4901
Phone: (405) 416-7070
Website: https://okbarfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Oklahoma Bar Foundation
Court Grant Program
Oklahoma Bar Foundation
Amount
Varies by project
Deadline
Deadline not published
General Grant Program (Regular Grants)
Oklahoma Bar Foundation
Amount
Varies; 2014 total awards $345,066
Deadline
Deadline not published
Law-Related Education Grants
Oklahoma Bar Foundation
Amount
Over $100,000 annually (2014)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Oklahoma Bar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation ($210K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
245 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 245 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
OBF’s grantmaking is centered on Oklahoma. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma, with 1% each going to Texas and Virginia. Its court grants serve Oklahoma district and appellate courts, and its IOLTA grantee eligibility information specifies legal services or legal education in Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Oklahoma Bar Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 60 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $33K 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2022) to $3.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 61 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation Oklahoma City, OK | General Operations | $210,000 |
| OCU Law School Oklahoma City, OK | American Indian Wills Clinic & Help Program | $196,100 |
| Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Oklahoma City, OK | Mortgage Foreclosure | $140,000 |
| Oklahoma Lawyers for Families and Children Inc Oklahoma City, OK | Legal Services for Abused & Neglected Children | $140,000 |
| The Spero Project Oklahoma City, OK | Refugee Legal Support Services | $140,000 |
| Safe Center Inc Duncan, OK | General Operations | $110,000 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation (Project Commutation Program) Tulsa, OK | Legal Interns | $100,000 |
| Oklahoma Bar Association Oklahoma City, OK | Mock Trial Program | $85,000 |
| Oklahoma Guardian Ad Litem Institute Edmond, OK | Family Court Gal Services | $85,000 |
| District Court of Delaware County Jay, OK | Upgrade Sound Systems in 3 Courtroom | $83,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Oklahoma Bar Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing describes an investment distribution policy under which the amount available for appropriation each year is 5% of the average of the preceding three years’ endowment market values at December 31.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,821,010 | $9,091,670 | $4,112,722 | $3,145,214 | 61 | $948,001 |
| 2023 | $26,417,532 | $9,122,623 | $2,585,219 | $1,665,869 | 50 | $594,083 |
| 2022 | $17,257,093 | $1,477,283 | $1,844,293 | $1,056,992 | 44 | $428,779 |
| 2021 | $21,581,682 | $5,090,024 | $1,781,336 | $1,096,941 | 43 | $4,028,691 |
| 2020 | $19,358,007 | $2,230,039 | $1,921,287 | $1,199,304 | 47 | $885,342 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
OBF states that it provides annual grant funding to promote the advancement of justice, provide critical civil legal services to people in need, and increase public awareness and understanding of the American legal system.
Its grant programs include IOLTA grants for nonprofit legal services, law-related education, and activities that improve the administration of justice; housing protection and community redevelopment grants restricted to mortgage foreclosure defense or landlord-tenant legal services; court grants for courtroom technology and other improvements; rural court reporter employment and education grants; and scholarships and awards connected with Oklahoma law schools.
Examples of grantees’ work include Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, whose stated mission is to provide legal service and education advocacy for children, and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, which says it works to make equal justice for all a reality. The Spero Project describes its work as supporting resettled refugees and asylum seekers in an individual recipient Oklahoma Guardian ad Litem says it provides free family-court representation to children from low-income families. Shelterwell describes its mission as fostering connected community around the belief that housing is a human right.
Grantmaking
In its 2024 filing, OBF reported 61 grants totaling $3,145,214. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $210,000, with a median of $35,000. Separately, the filing says OBF awarded grants to 54 organizations for civil legal aid and law-related education, with an estimated 100,000 individuals and families receiving law-related services. It also reports grants to seven district courts for courtroom technology.
The largest reported 2024 awards included $210,000 to Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation for general operations; $196,100 to OCU Law School for an American Indian wills clinic and help program; and $140,000 each to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma for mortgage foreclosure services, Oklahoma Lawyers for Families and Children for legal services for abused and neglected children, and The Spero Project for refugee legal support services. Other notable awards included $110,000 to SAFE Center for general operations, $100,000 to Tulsa Community Foundation’s Project Commutation Program for legal interns, and $85,000 to Oklahoma Bar Association’s mock trial program.
OBF’s website says applications are reviewed and applicants are interviewed by the Grants & Awards Committee before a formal approval vote by the Board of Trustees. The filing describes a comprehensive vetting process and says the full board votes on grantees and award amounts. The filing lists priorities including applicants’ track records, other funding sources, development or expansion of pro bono services, and applicants’ special needs. All grant funds must be used for charitable purposes consistent with OBF’s mission. IOLTA applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering legal services or legal education in Oklahoma.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Allen L. Huston as president, Jim Dowell as president-elect, M. Courtney Briggs as vice president, Andrew Shank as secretary, Leanne McGill as treasurer, and Judge Deanna Hartley-Kelso as past president. Listed trustees are Luke Adams, A. Wayne Billings, Shea Bracken, and Bob Burke.
Oklahoma Bar Foundation is led by Renee Demoss, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 28 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Renee Demoss
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $174K (2024)
Allen L. Huston
President
Vice President → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
A. Wayne Billings
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Ray
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Mason Moore
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiece Dempsey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Cave
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Carruth
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Adams
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
April Moaning
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brett Morton
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eddie D. Valdez
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin D. Meek
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Russ
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dylan Erwin
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judge Richard Ogden
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shiny Mathew
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline M. Shaffer Siex
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David W. Van Meter
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Williams
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shea Bracken
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Shank
Secretary
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Dowell
President Elect
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judge Deanna Hartley-Kelso
Past President
President Elect → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leanne McGill
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
M. Courtney Briggs
Vice President
Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Valerie Couch (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Mark Fields (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kim Hays (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Miles Pringle (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin Russ (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jeff Trevillion Jr. (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Rachel Mathew (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Tom Vincent II (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Brian Hermanson (2022) — Trustee
- Former: O. Chris Meyers II (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Patrick O'Hara Jr. (2020–2021) — Past President
- Former: Woody K. Glass (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Barbara Klepper (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Hicks (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jordan Haygood (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Brandi Nowakowski (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Gary W. Farabough (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer Castillo (2020) — Past President
- Former: Judge Bret A. Smith (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Micheal Torrone Jr. (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Mike Mordy (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Paul Kluver (2020) — Trustee
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 $174K, to Renee Demoss (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma Bar Foundation
How much does Oklahoma Bar Foundation give each year?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation gave $3.1M across 61 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 50 grants.
What is Oklahoma Bar Foundation's typical grant size?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $51,561, across 61 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Oklahoma Bar Foundation that year got $58K on average.
Where does Oklahoma Bar Foundation give grants?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oklahoma City, OK (20 grants), Tulsa, OK (13 grants), Edmond, OK (2 grants) and Lawton, OK (2 grants).
Does Oklahoma Bar Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Oklahoma Bar Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Court Advocates" (11 grants).
Who are Oklahoma Bar Foundation's largest grantees?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation ($210,000), Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma ($200,000 across 2 grants) and OCU Law School ($196,100), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Oklahoma Bar Foundation?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation reported $33.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.1M.
What does Oklahoma Bar Foundation fund?
OBF states that it provides annual grant funding to promote the advancement of justice, provide critical civil legal services to people in need, and increase public awareness and understanding of the American legal system. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oklahoma Bar Foundation?
Applications are submitted through the application process for the relevant grant program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Oklahoma Bar Foundation's EIN?
Oklahoma Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-0710244. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Oklahoma Bar Foundation funds
Crime & Legal Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Oklahoma Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc
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It supports charitable programs in Oklahoma, including housing and shelter, community development, education, and fund-specific priorities such as mental health, arts, and human services; 94% of its 2025 grant dollars went to Oklahoma recipients. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,139, though amounts varied widely; it accepts applications for specific funds through its online grant portal, but no general unsolicited-request policy is stated.
Assets
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Grants
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Total Given
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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
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72
Total Given
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More similar funders
More Funders in Oklahoma
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Oklahoma Bar Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/oklahoma-bar-foundation-morg_b93d28abd0a14c6f94d017862ee9ca66
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_730710244_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Oklahoma Bar Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/oklahoma-bar-foundation-morg_b93d28abd0a14c6f94d017862ee9ca66},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Oklahoma Bar 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.
Oklahoma Bar Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?