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.
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
The Foundation generally gives priority to proposals with clearly defined benefits, particularly those for:
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
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 |
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 The Gelvin Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Parent Child Center of Tulsa Inc ($15,000), 501 Technet ($10,000), Bridges Foundation ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1ST STEP MALE DIVERSION PROGRAM TULSA, OK | SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PACKAGES AND SUPPLIES | $6,500 |
| 501 TECHNET TULSA, OK | EQUIPMENT | $10,000 |
| A NEW LEAF INC TULSA, OK | CARBON FIBER FIRE RESISTANT BLANKETS | $3,500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS TULSA, OK | 1 NEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY VEHICLE | $5,000 |
| AMPLIFY INC TULSA, OK | TECHNOLOGY AND PRINTING COSTS | $7,500 |
| BEHEARD INC TULSA, OK | AWING SHADES FOR SHOWER TRAILERS | $2,500 |
| BLESSINGS INTERNATIONAL TULSA, OK | MEDICAL SUPPLIES | $3,500 |
| BRIDGES FOUNDATION TULSA, OK | HVAC UNIT | $10,000 |
| CAP OF TULSA COUNTY TULSA, OK | PARTS & SUPPLIES | $5,200 |
| CAR CARE CLINIC INC TULSA, OK | PROGRAM EXPENSES | $5,000 |
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 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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 Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $1,500 to $38,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $6,000 • Median grant amount: $5,000 • The Foundation made 70 grants in 2024, totaling approximately $430,800 **Grant Preferences:** The Foundation generally gives priority to proposals with clearly defined benefits, particularly those for: • Basic capital funding purposes • Equipment purchases • Special program needs **Grant Restrictions:** • Grants are limited to non-profit org…
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gelvin 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 The Gelvin 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 The Gelvin Foundation to a real strategy.