The Cuesta Foundation Inc
The Cuesta Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in 1962 and based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was established by Charles W. Oliphant and his sister, Allene O. Mayo, to continue the philanthropic legacy of their father, A.G. Oliphant. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a volunteer board and no paid staff.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.4M
+1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$139K
+28.1% YoY
Grant Count
27
+285.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-66.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cuesta Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $164K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Cuesta Foundation is to continue the philanthropic legacy of A.G. Oliphant by funding 501(c)(3) charities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the local communities of the foundation's trustees.
The foundation supports organizations addressing:
- Arts, Culture, and Humanities
- Education
- Social Services
- Community Needs
The foundation provides operational and capital support to eligible organizations.
Grantmaking
Grants are made only to nonprofit organizations holding valid 501(c)(3) public charity status.
Grant Range
approximately $64 (based on recent data)
Average Grant
approximately $64 (based on recent data)
How to Apply
has been temporarily suspended. Organizations are encouraged to continue reaching out with questions or to share relevant information during this period.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and supports communities in:
- Arizona
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Specific cities include Austin, Chandler, Gilbert, Houston, Jenks, Mesa, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $3,383,112
- Total revenues: $190,332
- Total expenses: $237,533
- Investment income and dividends: $89,844
Historical Context:
- Tax-exempt status granted: October 1963
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,383,112 | $3,337,315 | $3,374,111 |
| Revenue | $190,332 | $179,651 | $263,403 |
| Expenses | $237,533 | $430,518 | $333,389 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $166,433 | $131,758 | $215,893 |
| Net Investment Income | $119,232 | — | $154,407 |
| Distributable Amount | $163,833 | $165,269 | $188,058 |
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
123 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Tulsa Children's Museum Dba Discove ($62,500), The University of Tulsa ($10,000), Tulsa Regional Stem Alliance Inc ($6,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TULSA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DBA DISCOVE TULSA, OK | CAPITAL PLEDGE PAYMENT | $62,500 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA TULSA, OK | OLIPHANT HALL ENDOWMENT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN ARTIST AMERINDA INC NEW YORK CITY, NY | PRETTY HAIR FILM - HANNA ROSE WALLER | $1,000 |
| BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL TULSA, OK | COMET LEVEL BOOSTER CLUB SPONSORSHIP | $2,500 |
| CHILD ABUSE NETWORK INC TULSA, OK | CHILD ABUSE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM | $2,500 |
| CHURCH STUDIO MUSIC FOUNDATION TULSA, OK | ARTIST GRANTS | $2,000 |
| COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT OF TULSA C TULSA, OK | HOME VISITING PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES W | $2,500 |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLA TULSA, OK | FUNDS TO SUPPORT PURCHASE OF FOOD (P | $5,000 |
| CROSSTOWN LEARNING CENTER INC TULSA, OK | REDUCING THE EDUCATION GAP | $2,000 |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERV TULSA, OK | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF DOM | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership includes:
- Greg Oliphant – Chairman/President
- Thomas Oliphant – Vice President/Treasurer
- Additional directors and officers who serve on a voluntary basis without compensation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GREG OLIPHANT | CHAIRMAN/PRE | — | — |
| THOMAS OLIPHANT | VICE PRES/TR | — | — |
| ERIC OLIPHANT | LIFETIME DIR | — | — |
| JAMIE OLIPHANT | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SAWYER OLIPHANT | ADVISORY DIR | — | — |
| KARI BLAKLEY | SECRETARY | — | — |
| NANCY GADEN | ASSISTANT TR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation is currently engaged in a multi-year capital campaign with the University of Tulsa beginning in 2026, which has temporarily suspended the standard grant application process. Recent grants in 2025 demonstrate continued support across education, arts and culture, and human services sectors in the Tulsa area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Cuesta Foundation Inc fund?
The mission of the Cuesta Foundation is to continue the philanthropic legacy of A.G. Oliphant by funding 501(c)(3) charities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the local communities of the foundation's trustees. The foundation supports organizations addressing: • Arts, Culture, and Humanities • Education • Social Services • Community Needs The foundation provides operational and capital support to eligible organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Cuesta Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 28 grants in 2024 • Made 7 grants in 2025 • Average grant size: approximately $64 (based on recent data) • Total awarded in 2024: approximately $109,000 **Recent Grants (2025):** • Holy Family Cathedral – $25,000 • The University of Tulsa – $18,000 • Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, Inc. – $7,500 • ESK8 Racing Academy – $10,000 • Tulsa Children's Museum/Discovery Lab – $5,000 • Child Abuse Network Inc. – $5,000 • Eden Village of Tulsa – $5,000 • John 3:16 Mission – $5,000
Where does The Cuesta Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and supports communities in: • Arizona • Oklahoma • Texas Specific cities include Austin, Chandler, Gilbert, Houston, Jenks, Mesa, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
What size grants does The Cuesta Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Cuesta Foundation Inc awarded 27 grants totaling $139K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Cuesta Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Cuesta Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $164K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Cuesta Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cuesta Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-6091550. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cuesta Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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