The Gelvin Foundation
The Gelvin Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1992 and based in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Founded by Lyle M. Gelvin, the Foundation provides monetary support to non-profit organizations across Oklahoma, with a particular emphasis on communities in northeastern Oklahoma. Since 1996, the Foundation has distributed over $10 million to more than 230 charitable organizations.
Key facts about The Gelvin Foundation
- EIN
- 73-1419663
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $430,800
- Grants made (2024)
- 76
- Average grant
- $5,668
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (20 of 76, 2024)
- Total assets
- $9,229,613
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Grant proposals are evaluated by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis:. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gelvin Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Gelvin Foundation's 76 itemized 2024 grants were Oklahoma (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (72 grants) and Claremore, OK (2 grants). None of its 76 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Expenses" (4 grants).
Is The Gelvin Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 76 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Gelvin Foundation
- How to evaluate The Gelvin Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Gelvin Foundation with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
+30.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$431K
-7.8% YoY
Grant Count
76
-5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-2.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gelvin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $557K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life for all Oklahomans by supporting a variety of community services, health care programs, educational projects, and programs in the arts.
The Foundation makes grants in four primary fields of interest:
- Cultural/Arts
- Education
- Health Care
- Family and Community Service
The allocation of funding within these groups is reviewed by the Board on an annual basis and occasionally adjusted.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount: approximately $6,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Gelvin Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grants are limited by policy to non-profit organizations principally in Oklahoma, with emphasis given to organizations whose programs and services primarily benefit those living within a 30-mile radius of Tulsa or Eufaula.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 76 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,229,613
- Total Revenues: $780,846
- Total Expenses: $532,134
- Total Giving: $430,800
- Investment Income and Dividends: $229,437
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $551,409
Historical Giving:
- Annual giving has ranged from $428,000 (2020) to $1.1 million (2022)
- Since 1996, the Foundation has contributed over $10 million to charitable organizations
- The Foundation has made 309 grants totaling $1.9 million across available records
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,229,613 | $7,059,409 | $7,257,693 |
| Revenue | $780,846 | $345,792 | $626,971 |
| Expenses | $532,134 | $581,105 | $654,170 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $520,800 | $467,000 | $610,300 |
| Net Investment Income | $769,512 | $273,687 | $342,520 |
| Distributable Amount | $557,455 | $502,965 | $537,138 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
383 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Gelvin Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Parent Child Center of Tulsa Inc ($15,000), 501 Technet ($10,000), Bridges Foundation ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PARENT CHILD CENTER OF TULSA INC Tulsa, OK | 12 LAPTOPS, 100 BP MONITORS | $15,000 |
| 501 TECHNET Tulsa, OK | EQUIPMENT | $10,000 |
| BRIDGES FOUNDATION Tulsa, OK | HVAC UNIT | $10,000 |
| CHILD ABUSE NETWORK Tulsa, OK | OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA Tulsa, OK | BEDS FOR KIDS PROGRAM - APPROX. 25 MATTRESS SETS | $10,000 |
| EMERGENCY INFANT SERVICES INC Tulsa, OK | THERAPY SUPPLIES | $10,000 |
| MCINTOSH COUNTY YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER Tulsa, OK | CONFERENCE ROOM FURNITURE, CARPET, REMODEL | $10,000 |
| TULSA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM INC Tulsa, OK | FURNITURE & TECH EQUIP., COUNSELING/WAITING AREAS | $10,000 |
| TULSA AREA UNITED WAY Tulsa, OK | FOSTER FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT | $10,000 |
| TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Tulsa, OK | WORLD IN A BOX DAY | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Lyle M. Gelvin (Founder)
The Foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therese Starr | President | — | — |
| Terry Doverspike | Chief Executive Office | — | — |
Contact Information
- Phone: 918-452-3703
- Website: www.gelvinfoundation.org
- Mailing Address: PO Box 837, Eufaula, OK 74432-0837
- EIN: 73-1419663
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Gelvin Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life for all Oklahomans by supporting a variety of community services, health care programs, educational projects, and programs in the arts. The Foundation makes grants in four primary fields of interest: • **Cultural/Arts** • **Education** • **Health Care** • **Family and Community Service** The allocation of funding within these groups is reviewed by the Board on an annual basis and occasionally adjusted.
How do I apply for a grant from The Gelvin Foundation?
Grant proposals are evaluated by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis:. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Gelvin Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grants are limited by policy to non-profit organizations principally in Oklahoma, with emphasis given to organizations whose programs and services primarily benefit those living within a 30-mile radius of Tulsa or Eufaula.
What size grants does The Gelvin Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gelvin Foundation awarded 76 grants totaling $431K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Gelvin Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Gelvin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $557K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Gelvin Foundation's EIN?
The Gelvin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1419663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.