The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that supports a diverse range of programs and projects, primarily in the Tulsa area. Established in 2005, it focuses on addressing essential human needs and improving quality of life in Oklahoma, with capital campaigns a major focus.
Key facts about The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
In short: The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 128 grants in 2025 (avg $53K), mostly in Oklahoma. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-4094088
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,786,301
- Grants made (2025)
- 128
- Average grant
- $53,018
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (34 of 128, 2025)
- Total assets
- $149,801,548
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- Applications are by invitation only; selected organizations are notified by email and informed of the application deadline and board meeting date. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- For invited applicants, the deadline is provided with the invitation.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$149.8M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.8M
+8.2% YoY
Grant Count
128
+3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$53K
+4.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $8.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 34 of 128 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 81% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to address essential human needs and improve quality of life for citizens across Oklahoma. It describes its primary focus as supporting Tulsa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, while its grantmaking is primarily limited to the Tulsa area.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. Tulsa Community College Foundation says it develops relationships and financial resources in support of Tulsa Community College’s mission. The Spring Shelter says it provides advocacy, safe escape, and ongoing care for people affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Resonance Center for Women says it supports the well-being and self-sufficiency of women and families involved with the criminal justice system. A New Leaf says it provides services and job training for people with developmental disabilities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 128 grants totaling $6,786,301. Grants ranged from $250 to $1,260,000, with a median of $15,000. Most grant dollars went to Oklahoma recipients.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $1,260,000 to Philbrook Museum of Art for capital and program support; $557,000 to Tulsa Community College Foundation for capital and program support; $500,000 to The Spring Shelter for capital and equipment; $475,000 to OU Foundation for a program; and $350,000 to The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges for capital and equipment. Other substantial grants included $250,000 each to Holland Hall School and Monte Cassino School for capital and equipment, and $200,000 to Resonance Center for Women for a program.
Applications are by invitation only. The foundation says it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It may ask a project to submit a letter of intent before inviting an organization to apply. Applicants may submit only once within a 12-month period; after a grant or declination, they are ineligible to apply again for 12 months from the date of the last payment or declination. Grants may not be used for lobbying or political endeavors, and the foundation does not fund fundraising events.
Review Cycle
For invited applicants, the deadline is provided with the invitation. The next scheduled board meeting is September 22, 2026.
Invitation Only
Applications are by invitation only; selected organizations are notified by email and informed of the application deadline and board meeting date. The foundation may first request a letter of intent.
Ready to take the next step with The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its grantmaking is primarily limited to the Tulsa area and focuses on Tulsa-based organizations and needs in Tulsa and surrounding areas. In 2025, 99% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma and 1% to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 128 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.9M (2021) to $6.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 128 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Philbrook Museum of Art ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $4.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
552 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 468 grants of 552 (85%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Philbrook Museum of Art Tulsa, OK | Capital & Program | $1,260,000 |
| Tulsa Community College Foundation Tulsa, OK | Capital & Program | $557,000 |
| The Spring Shelter Inc Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $500,000 |
| Ou Foundation Norman, OK | Program | $475,000 |
| The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges Ltd Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $350,000 |
| Holland Hall School Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $250,000 |
| Monte Cassino School Inc Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $250,000 |
| Resonance Center for Women Tulsa, OK | Program | $200,000 |
| Children's Hospital Foundation Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $195,600 |
| Junior Achievement of Oklahoma Tulsa, OK | Capital/Equipment | $182,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $149,801,548 | $15,267,619 | $7,613,145 | $6,786,301 |
| 2024 | $142,153,842 | $12,990,991 | $7,004,888 | $6,270,576 |
| 2023 | $136,162,113 | $9,983,375 | $6,713,915 | $6,098,684 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $149,801,548 | $142,153,842 | $136,162,113 |
| Revenue | $15,267,619 | $12,990,991 | $9,983,375 |
| Expenses | $7,613,145 | $7,004,888 | $6,713,915 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,171,462 | $8,139,620 | $6,665,622 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,947,819 | $6,360,143 | $6,118,664 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,817,460 | $7,464,220 | $7,912,429 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists F. Roger Hardesty as president and director; Donna J. Hardesty as vice-president and director; Michelle Hardesty as executive director; and Connor Hardesty and Marilyn S. Cox as directors. The foundation’s website also lists Dana Wilkes as program manager and Jayden Sadler as communications manager.
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc is led by Michelle Hardesty, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Hardesty
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$94K (2019) → $159K (2025)
F. Roger Hardesty
President & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn S. Cox
Director
Secretary → Former Secretary, 2020
Former Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$750 (2024) → $3K (2025)
Connor Hardesty
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna J. Hardesty
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kelly Permantier (2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $159K, to Michelle Hardesty (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 4141 N Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74115
Phone: (918) 585-3100
Website: https://hardestyfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
How much does The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc give each year?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 128 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.3M across 124 grants.
What is The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $53,018, across 128 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc that year got $33K on average.
Where does The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc give grants?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Oklahoma: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (96 grants), Broken Arrow, OK (6 grants), Oklahoma City, OK (5 grants) and Claremore, OK (2 grants).
Does The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 64% of The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (82 of 128) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program" (35 grants) and "Capital/Equipment" (9 grants).
Who are The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Philbrook Museum of Art ($1,260,000), Tulsa Community College Foundation ($557,000) and The Spring Shelter Inc ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc reported $149.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to address essential human needs and improve quality of life for citizens across Oklahoma. It describes its primary focus as supporting Tulsa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, while its grantmaking is primarily limited to the Tulsa area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc?
Applications are by invitation only; selected organizations are notified by email and informed of the application deadline and board meeting date. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4094088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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