The Oklahoma Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1946 by members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. It is the third oldest state bar foundation in the United States. The Foundation is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and operates as an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its membership comprises persons duly licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.8M
+28.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
+88.8% YoY
Grant Count
61
+22.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+54.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: To enrich lives, eliminate obstacles and ensure justice by partnering with the community through law-related grants and philanthropy.
Mission: The Oklahoma Bar Foundation provides annual funding through grants to promote the advancement of justice, provide critical civil legal services to those in need, and increase public awareness and understanding of the American legal system.
The Foundation focuses on three primary goal areas:
Law: Promote knowledge of the law and provide special grants for Oklahoma district and appellate courts to improve the administration of justice.
Education: Award Oklahoma law students with scholarships and support law-related educational programming for students in grade school through law school.
Justice: Ensure justice is possible for all children, families, individuals, seniors, veterans and victims of violence in Oklahoma.
Grantmaking
Since 1946, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation has awarded $24 million to law-related nonprofits, court projects, and law school scholarships.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Oklahoma, with primary focus on serving Oklahoma citizens and nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $26,417,532
- Total revenues: $9,122,623
- Total expenses: $2,585,219
- Number of employees: 4
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,821,010 | $26,417,532 | $17,257,093 |
| Revenue | $9,091,670 | $9,122,623 | $1,477,283 |
| Expenses | $4,112,722 | $2,585,219 | $1,844,293 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $948,001 | $594,083 | $428,779 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
234 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Oklahoma Bar Foundation
Court Grant Program
OKLAHOMA BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies by project
Deadline
Rolling / Open
General Grant Program (Regular Grants)
OKLAHOMA BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies; 2014 total awards $345,066
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Law-Related Education Grants
OKLAHOMA BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
Over $100,000 annually (2014)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLEN L HUSTON | PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
| JIM DOWELL | PRESIDENT ELECT | 8 | — |
| M COURTNEY BRIGGS | VICE PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
| ANDREW SHANK | SECRETARY | 8 | — |
| LEANNE MCGILL | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JUDGE DEANNA HARTLEY-KELSO | PAST PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LUKE ADAMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| A WAYNE BILLINGS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHEA BRACKEN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BOB BURKE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW CARRUTH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALISON CAVE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TIECE DEMPSEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DYLAN ERWIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHINY MATHEW | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN D MEEK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| APRIL MOANING | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERRY MASON MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRETT MORTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JUDGE RICHARD OGDEN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RYAN RAY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BEN RUSS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CAROLINE M SHAFFER SIEX | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TODD TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID W VAN METER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EDDIE VALDEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KEN WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RENEE DEMOSS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 38 | $173,877 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced its 2025 IOLTA grant allocations in December 2024, awarding funding to more than 50 nonprofit programs across Oklahoma. The initiative is titled "Bringing Justice Home in 2025."
IOLTA Grantee Announcement: Bringing Justice Home in 2025Recent Foundation news and announcements include:
"Voices for the Voiceless: How OBF Grants Support Children in Crisis" (October 2025)
Legal Needs Survey Report (July 2025)
"What Lawyers Get Right: Partnering To Make a Difference Through the OBF" (February 2025)
"Bringing Justice Home: Jakeria's Journey" (September 2024)
2024 Courtroom Technology Grants announcement
2024 Courtroom Technology Grants Announced - Oklahoma Bar ...Contact Information
Phone: 405-416-7070
Fax: 405-416-7089
Email: foundation@okbar.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Physical Address: 1901 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4901
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Leslie Powell Trust
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Assets
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Total Given
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Little Oklahoma Non-profit Boat Ramp Corporation
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Assets
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Total Given
—
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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