The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
The Hardesty Family Foundation is a general-purpose private family foundation established in December 2005 by F. Roger Hardesty and his wife Donna J. Hardesty. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designed to exist in perpetuity. F. Roger Hardesty is the founder and CEO of United States Aviation Co. and The Hardesty Companies. The foundation provides financial support to nonprofit charitable organizations, schools, and exempt entities through grants, loan guarantees, and program-related investments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$142.2M
+4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.3M
+2.8% YoY
Grant Count
124
+10.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$51K
-7.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Hardesty Family Foundation's mission is to promote and serve 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations and exempt entities, with a primary goal of supporting Tulsa-based organizations and addressing specific needs in Tulsa and surrounding areas.
The foundation focuses on a diverse range of areas including:
- Arts and culture
- Animal welfare
- Workforce development
- Civic projects and community engagement
- Court reform and criminal justice reform
- Health and wellness issues
- Mental health
- Addiction recovery
- Support for individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical challenges
- Primary and secondary education
- Universities
- Aviation
- Research
- Libraries
- Nature and environmental initiatives
Capital campaigns are the major focus of the foundation, with emphasis on large-scale construction and renovation projects.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides financial support through general operating grants, programmatic grants, capital grants, and program-related investments (PRI).
Grant Range
s:**
Review Cycle
are notified by email. The foundation does not consider unsolicited proposals or funding for start-up ventures. Organizations must demonstrate substantial community backing, which is a key factor for approval likelihood.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus is primarily limited to the Tulsa area and surrounding areas of Oklahoma. The foundation emphasizes supporting projects in Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $142,153,842 (2024)
- $136,000,000 (2023)
Annual Giving & Revenue:
- Total revenues: $12,990,991 (2024)
- Total revenues: $9,980,000 (2023)
- Total expenses: $7,004,888 (2024)
- Total expenses: $6,710,000 (2023)
- Annual giving: $6,098,684 (2023)
Liabilities:
- $3,360 (2023)
Staff:
- 3 employees (2024)
Tax Status:
- EIN: 20-4094088
- Tax-exempt since April 2006
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $142,153,842 | $136,162,113 | $132,895,698 |
| Revenue | $12,990,991 | $9,983,375 | $5,904,373 |
| Expenses | $7,004,888 | $6,713,915 | $6,732,242 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,139,620 | $6,665,622 | $6,387,155 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,360,143 | $6,118,664 | $3,713,958 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,464,220 | $7,912,429 | $6,481,720 |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Board:
- F. Roger Hardesty — President & Director (Founder, CEO of United States Aviation Co. and The Hardesty Companies; inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2022)
- Donna J. Hardesty — Vice-President & Director (University of Tulsa graduate; emphasizes education in grantmaking)
Staff:
- Michelle Hardesty — Executive Director
- Connor Hardesty — Director (Board member)
- Marilyn S. Cox — Director
- Dana Wilkes — Program Manager
- Gene A. Lister — Controller
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F ROGER HARDESTY | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DONNA J HARDESTY | VICE-PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE HARDESTY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $155,381 |
| CONNOR HARDESTY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARILYN S COX | DIRECTOR | 1 | $750 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025:** Hardesty Family Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to the Roots of Renewal Campaign
Hardesty Family Foundation Announces $500,000 Grant to Roots of Renewal\**2024:** A New Leaf received $1,000,000 donation from the Hardesty Family Foundation for the Transition Academy
Hardesty Family Foundation Announces $500,000 Grant to Roots of Renewal\**2024:** Tulsa Zoo broke ground on the William S. Smith African Wilds Exhibit (foundation-supported project)
**2024:** Family Safety Center celebrated start of construction on a $24 million building project
A New Leaf receives $1 million donation from Hardesty Family Foundation**2024:** Broken Arrow High School held open house for new construction program (foundation-supported)
**2023:** Hardesty Family Foundation awarded $728,000 grant to Mental Health Association of Oklahoma for criminal justice reform program
Hardesty Family Foundation Announces $500,000 Grant to Roots of Renewal\Related Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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