The Sam Viersen Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1987 by Oklahoma oilman and philanthropist Sam K. Viersen, Jr. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the foundation continues a legacy of charitable giving inspired by Mr. Viersen's parents, Sam and Aleene Viersen. The foundation is governed by a board of family members and close associates dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations across northeast Oklahoma.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.7M
+18.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
-3.8% YoY
Grant Count
69
+3.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
-6.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports nonreligious, nonprofit organizations serving communities in northeast Oklahoma with a mission centered on:
- Basic human needs — food, shelter, and foundational education
- Self-sufficiency and independence — programs helping individuals achieve greater independence
- Cultural initiatives — providing access to enriching experiences for underserved populations
- Education — including scholarship opportunities for deserving students
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $1,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on project scope and impact
Review Cycle
- Applications accepted through online portal during fixed window (early June through early August)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves northeast Oklahoma, with primary focus on:
- Okmulgee County
- Tulsa County
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $32.7 million (2024)
Annual Grant Distributions: $2.7 million (2024)
Total Revenues (2024): $2,483,050
Total Expenses (2024): $2,971,756
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,667,181 | $27,606,725 | $29,935,531 |
| Revenue | $2,483,050 | $822,850 | $377,363 |
| Expenses | $2,971,756 | $3,042,655 | $2,423,021 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,661,731 | $2,769,114 | $2,143,883 |
| Net Investment Income | $612,113 | $566,742 | $281,093 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,596,679 | $1,587,880 | $1,659,592 |
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 Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Okmulgee County Humane Society ($201,663), Okmulgee County Family Resource Cen ($115,500), OSU Foundation ($101,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A New Leaf Foundation Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $20,000 |
| American Legion Post 10 Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $3,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Community Support | $25,000 |
| Buckhunger North Richland Hills, TX | Community Support | $9,500 |
| Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Oklahoma City, OK | Community Support | $2,000 |
| Community Food Bank of Eastern Okla Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $26,000 |
| Creek Nation Indian Village Okmulgee, OK | Community Support | $5,500 |
| Domestic Violence Intervention Serv Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $15,000 |
| Food For Kids Bedford, VA | Community Support | $2,000 |
| Fab Lab Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Audra Fogle — Executive Director
- Board Members: Adam Schenk, Sam Miller, Brian Johnson (trustees)
The foundation was previously led by Maralynn Viersen Sant, Mr. Viersen's sister, who led the organization for more than two decades following his passing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Schenk | President | — | — |
| Sarah Miller | Vice President | — | — |
| Eloise Johnson | Secretary | — | — |
| Terry Costanza | Treasurer | — | — |
| Summer Andrus | Director | — | — |
| Sam Miller | Director | — | — |
| Edith Johnson | Director | — | — |
| Brian Johnson | Director | — | — |
| Jill Johnson | Director | — | — |
| Hugh Robinson | Director | — | — |
| Jason Winters | Director | — | — |
| Audra Fogle | Executive Dir. | 40 | $45,192 |
| Lisa Rhynes | Past Exec. Dir | 30 | $20,250 |
Contact Information
Address: 320 S. Boston Ave., Suite 1130, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4700
Mailing Address: PO Box 702708, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74170
Phone: (918) 998-6455
Email: info@viersenfamilyfoundation.org
Website: https://viersenfamilyfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports nonreligious, nonprofit organizations serving communities in northeast Oklahoma with a mission centered on: • **Basic human needs** — food, shelter, and foundational education • **Self-sufficiency and independence** — programs helping individuals achieve greater independence • **Cultural initiatives** — providing access to enriching experiences for underserved populations • **Education** — including scholarship opportunities for deserving students
How do I apply for a grant from Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Range:** $1,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on project scope and impact **Annual Giving:** Approximately $2.7 million (2024: $2,575,128 in total giving) **Grant Volume:** The foundation made 67 grants in 2023 **Application Process:** • Single annual grant cycle • Applications accepted through online portal during fixed window (early June through early August) • Application deadline: Early August • Decision timeline: Approximately 12-13 weeks (decisions announced in November) • Onlin…
Where does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation serves **northeast Oklahoma**, with primary focus on: • Okmulgee County • Tulsa County
What size grants does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc awarded 69 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1295358. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cline Foundation
CUSHING, OK
Assets
$3K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Oge Energy Corp Foundation Inc
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Assets
$25.2M
Grants
86
Total Given
$4.3M
Westreet Foundation Inc
TULSA, OK
Assets
$86K
Grants
7
Total Given
$43K
Trimble Strong Foundation Inc
TULSA, OK
Assets
$127K
Grants
3
Total Given
$13K
Berry Family Foundation Inc
SAPULPA, OK
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$45K
Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation
ARDMORE, OK
Assets
$105.7M
Grants
54
Total Given
$6.0M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc to a real strategy.