Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation
The Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation is a private foundation established in 1989 by Stan and Irene Burnstein in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following Stan's passing in March 2018, Irene continues to lead the foundation's mission. The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families through strategic philanthropic investments in the Tulsa area and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.4M
-90.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.1M
+76.1% YoY
Grant Count
101
+11.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$119K
+58.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote initiatives that enrich and foster a community where inclusivity and equity are at the heart of progress. The foundation strives to empower organizations and break down barriers, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to a thriving, vibrant, and sustainable community.
Primary funding areas include:
- Community well-being and vibrancy
- Education and self-sufficiency
- Health
- Safety-net support
- Advancement of human rights
- Arts and sciences
- Support for the Tulsa Jewish community
- Jewish nonprofits
The foundation stands in solidarity with all who seek to end discrimination, racism, bigotry, and injustice.
Grantmaking
Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
$1,000 - $1,300,000
Average Grant
$229 - $1,350,000
Review Cycle
April 15 and September 15
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation contributes primarily to Tulsa and Tulsa-area programs, with some giving in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $14,361,762 - $152.6M (figures vary by source)
- Total giving: $12,065,119
- Total revenues: $10,399,124
- Total expenses: $13,665,509
- Annual giving: Approximately $6.8M - $6.9M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,361,762 | $152,577,117 | $149,865,295 |
| Revenue | $10,399,124 | $10,924,308 | $75,693,473 |
| Expenses | $13,665,509 | $8,339,418 | $6,252,215 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,065,119 | $6,850,700 | $5,121,880 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,903,735 | $6,127,417 | $6,980,910 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,679,716 | $9,024,971 | $5,819,313 |
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 A New Leaf ($1,200,000), Gkff - Gathering Place Phase Ii ($750,000), Humble Sons Bike Company ($625,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1ST STEP MALE DIVERSION TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $30,000 |
| 501 TECH TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| A NEW LEAF BROKEN ARROW, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $1,200,000 |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TULSA TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN SONG ARCHIVES TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $30,000 |
| ARC (FORMERLY TARC) TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
| ART ALLIANCE TULSA TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TULSA TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| AVANZANDO JUNTOS TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF OKLAHOMA INC TULSA, OK | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Irene F. Burnstein - Co-Trustee and current leader of the foundation
Elizabeth Hall - Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRENE F BURNSTEIN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has prioritized inclusive community infrastructure development, with significant recent investments in adaptive playgrounds across Tulsa. The foundation continues to make approximately 91 grants annually to support its mission of promoting inclusivity, equity, and community well-being in the Tulsa area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote initiatives that enrich and foster a community where inclusivity and equity are at the heart of progress. The foundation strives to empower organizations and break down barriers, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to a thriving, vibrant, and sustainable community. Primary funding areas include: • Community well-being and vibrancy • Education and self-sufficiency • Health • Safety-net support • Advancement of human rights • Arts and sc…
How do I apply for a grant from Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 - $1,300,000 • Median grant: $30,000 • Average grant: $229 - $1,350,000 • Annual number of grants: Approximately 91 grants annually **Application Process:** • Decision time: Bi-annual reviews • Deadlines: April 15 and September 15 **Recent Grant Activity:** Notable recent grants include: • $1,350,000 to Tulsa Community Foundation (Chamberlain/Berry Parks) • $1,000,000 to Tulsa Library Trust (General Operations) • $1,000,000 to Zarrow Pointe (Gene…
Where does Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation make grants?
The foundation contributes primarily to Tulsa and Tulsa-area programs, with some giving in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and New York.
What size grants does Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation award?
In 2024, Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation awarded 101 grants totaling $12.1M — an average of about $119K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation's EIN?
Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-6247047. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation'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 Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation 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 Sanford P & Irene F Burnstein Foundation to a real strategy.