Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc
The Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Established in 1987 by philanthropist Sam K. Viersen, Jr., it continues a family legacy of charitable giving and supports nonprofit organizations serving northeast Oklahoma.
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $37K), mostly in Oklahoma. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,575,128
- -3.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $37,321
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $32,667,181
- +18.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (21 of 67, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s published process asks new applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry by June 30; applicants whose LOIs are approved are invited to submit a full proposal online by August 1. Applications are reviewed from August through October, funding decisions are made in early November, and applicants are notified in mid-November. Approved funds are distributed by year-end. The foundation recommends that new applicants review its priorities and contact it before starting an application. The website’s eligibility guidance says religious organizations may apply if their project does not include religious teaching or require participants to follow a specific faith. The 2024 filing states that applicants must qualify as a 501(c)(3) organization and lists no specific form or materials.
- Review Cycle
- For the published annual process, LOIs are due by June 30 and invited full proposals by August 1.
- Deadline
- For the published annual process, LOIs are due by June 30 and invited full proposals by August 1.
- Next open deadline
- June 30, 2027 (Viersen Family Foundation Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Audra Fogle
Mailing address: 320 S Boston Ave Ste 1130, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 998-6455
Website: https://viersenfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc
Who Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tulsa Community Foundation ($1.1M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
299 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 264 grants of 299 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its service area as northeast Oklahoma and identifies Okmulgee and Tulsa Counties as priorities. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma; the reported shares for other recipient states were DC 2%, UT 1%, TX 1%, and IL 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 21 of 67 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 126% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 169% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 (2020) to $2.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $975,416 |
| Stonebridge Academy Okmulgee, OK | Community Support | $234,500 |
| Okmulgee County Humane Society Okmulgee, OK | Community Support | $201,663 |
| YMCA of Greater Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $148,000 |
| Okmulgee County Family Resource Cen Okmulgee, OK | Community Support | $115,500 |
| OSU Foundation Stillwater, OK | Community Support | $101,000 |
| OU Foundation Norman, OK | Community Support | $100,000 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $96,000 |
| The Academy of Seminole Seminole, OK | Community Support | $91,459 |
| Tulsa Area United Way Tulsa, OK | Community Support | $51,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32,667,181 | $2,483,050 | $2,971,756 | $2,575,128 | 69 | $2,661,731 | $2,140,354 | $1,575,436 |
| 2023 | $27,606,725 | $822,850 | $3,042,655 | $2,676,730 | 67 | $2,769,114 | $566,742 | $1,587,880 |
| 2022 | $29,935,531 | $377,363 | $2,423,021 | $2,008,800 | 57 | $2,143,883 | $281,093 | $1,659,592 |
| 2021 | $31,834,430 | $11,966,062 | $1,466,852 | $1,140,609 | 53 | $1,216,357 | $1,643,283 | $1,359,423 |
| 2020 | $21,340,284 | $986,700 | $1,400,201 | $1,087,150 | 53 | — | $733,970 | $1,172,630 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to provide meaningful support to nonprofit organizations whose work serves communities in northeast Oklahoma. Its stated priorities are providing basic human needs such as food and shelter; supporting education and learning opportunities; helping people achieve independence and self-sufficiency; and providing cultural experiences to underserved populations.
Supported organizations work across a range of areas. For example, the Okmulgee County Humane Society says its mission is to enrich the lives of dogs and cats and support the people who love them. Tulsa Area United Way describes its mission as uniting people and resources to improve lives and strengthen communities. Tulsa Children’s Museum says it inspires children, connects families, and builds community through exploration, exhibits, programming, and play.
Grantmaking
The foundation advertises grants of $1,000 to $500,000. In filing year 2024, it reported 69 grants totaling $2,575,128; individual grants ranged from $500 to $975,416, with a median of $5,500.
Among the largest reported 2024 awards were $975,416 to Tulsa Community Foundation, $234,500 to Stonebridge Academy, $201,663 to Okmulgee County Humane Society, and $148,000 to YMCA of Greater Tulsa. The filing lists the purpose for these awards as “Community Support.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Adam Schenk as president; Sarah Miller as vice president; Eloise Johnson as secretary; and Terry Costanza as treasurer. Directors listed on the filing are Summer Andrus, Sam Miller, Edith Johnson, Brian Johnson, Jill Johnson, and Hugh Robinson.
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc is led by Audra Fogle, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 2 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Audra Fogle
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$45K (2024)
Adam Schenk
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Brian Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Hugh Robinson
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jill Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sam Miller
Director
Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Summer Andrus
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Edith Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Jason Winters
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Lisa Rhynes
Past Executive Director
Executive Director → Past Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Eloise Johnson
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sarah Miller
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Terry Costanza
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Julie Schenk (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Luana Dickerson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathy Kennedy (2020–2022) — Secretary-Treasurer
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 $45K, to Audra Fogle (Executive Dir.). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc
How much does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.7M across 67 grants.
What is Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,500, and its average grant was $37,321, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Oklahoma: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (23 grants), Okmulgee, OK (12 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Oklahoma City, OK (3 grants).
Does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (69 grants).
Who are Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Tulsa Community Foundation ($1,071,416 across 2 grants), Stonebridge Academy ($234,500) and Okmulgee County Humane Society ($201,663), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc?
Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc reported $32.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it seeks to provide meaningful support to nonprofit organizations whose work serves communities in northeast Oklahoma. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s published process asks new applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry by June 30; applicants whose LOIs are approved are invited to submit a full proposal online by August 1. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Oklahoma
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.
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The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
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One Gas Foundation Inc
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Folds of Honor Foundation
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Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc
Oklahoma City, OK
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation funds community programs in children’s opportunities, health care, culture and community, older adults, parks and public space, and animal welfare, primarily in Oklahoma City and Central Oklahoma. In 2025, its grants had a median of $18,251; published ranges include up to $40,000 for Opportunities for Children and $30,000 for Culture & Community. Its website lists some programs as open, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sam-viersen-family-foundation-inc-morg_dcbedd3d53ed4b3194dfb2a54d39c755
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_731295358_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sam-viersen-family-foundation-inc-morg_dcbedd3d53ed4b3194dfb2a54d39c755},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Sam Viersen Family Foundation Inc'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.
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