The Kerr Foundation Inc
The Kerr Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, established in 1963 and reincorporated in 1985. The foundation identifies and supports 501(c)(3) organizations and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities within its granting areas, with particular emphasis on serving young people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.7M
+16.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$207K
+27.1% YoY
Grant Count
65
+140.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-47.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kerr Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on five primary areas:
Education — Particularly higher learning and pre-collegiate organizations, including health science centers and medical research conducted by educational institutions
Arts and Culture — Organizations in visual and performing arts, as well as museums and libraries
Health — Institutions providing health care, medical research, or outreach organizations employing primarily professionals from the allied health field
Human Services — Organizations providing services in diverse areas to the public, with specific focus on the disadvantaged, people with special needs, and the elderly
Public Affairs — Related programs that support community development
Grantmaking
The foundation structures its grants as **challenge grants**, meaning approved organizations must first raise or secure matching grants, donations, and/or pledges in the amount specified by the foundation before receiving payment. The challenge amount is typically dollar-for-dollar.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While preference is given to Oklahoma organizations and institutions, the foundation accepts grant requests from the following states and regions:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma (priority)
- Texas
- Washington D.C. area (with Oklahoma organizations receiving first priority for available funds)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $21,675,452
- Total Annual Giving: $206,790
- Annual Expenses: $1,591,749
- Annual Revenue: $1,084,300
- EIN: 73-1256122
- Tax-Exempt Status: Since January 1986
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,675,452 | $18,624,951 | $19,059,178 |
| Revenue | $1,203,247 | $1,084,300 | $1,143,095 |
| Expenses | $1,794,783 | $1,591,749 | $1,642,560 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,200,759 | $1,200,562 | $1,213,675 |
| Net Investment Income | $609,223 | $701,112 | $719,210 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,161,593 | $1,022,002 | $1,085,436 |
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
171 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Kerr Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Allied Arts of Oklahoma Inc ($15,000), Charles B Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Inc ($10,000), Dress for Success Oklahoma City ($7,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 501TECH TULSA, OK | TO PROVIDE SECURITYPLUS HARDWARE UPGRADES FOR EXISTING CLIENTS AS WELL AS OKLAHOMA NONPROFITS WAITING FOR SERVICE. | $2,500 |
| A SPECIAL PURPOSE BROKEN ARROW, OK | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ALLIED ARTS OF OKLAHOMA INC OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | TO SUPPORT THE ALLIED ARTS 2024 CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS | $15,000 |
| ARTS LIVE THEATRE INC FAYETTEVILLE, AR | TO HELP PAYFOR SCHOLARSHIPS, VENUE COSTS, AND HIRING A TEACHING ARTIST FOR THE 2024 SEASON | $3,500 |
| BARNABAS FOUNDATION INC SPRINGFIELD, MO | TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CAMPERS | $2,500 |
| BEYOND THE SPECTRUM OK EDMOND, OK | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THERAPY AND CLASSES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. | $5,000 |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE SAINT LOUIS, MO | TO SUPPORT BHGHSTL COHORT PROGRAMS | $2,500 |
| CAMPS FOR KIDS LIBERTY, MO | TO SUPPORT PARTICIPATING CAMPS TO ENSURE THEIR ACCESSIBILITY TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND THOSE WITH PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, AND/OR DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA | $3,000 |
| CENTRAL OKLAHOMA CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER GUTHRIE, OK | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES. | $4,000 |
| CHARLES B GODDARD CENTER FOR THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS INC ARDMORE, OK | TO HELP RENOVATE AND REMODEL THE GODDARD CENTER FACILITIES. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Lou C. Kerr — President
- Steven S. Kerr
- Laura Kerr
- Cody T. Kerr
- Wilson Kerr
- Taylor Dillard
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA KERR | PRESIDENT(BEGINNING 03/20/2024) | 40 | $167,623 |
| STEVEN S KERR | CFO | 40 | $174,124 |
| JACKSON OGLE | TRUSTEE | 2 | $4,500 |
| JAMES KERR | TRUSTEE | 2 | $4,207 |
| WILSON KERR | TRUSTEE | 2 | $7,500 |
| TAYLOR DILLARD | TRUSTEE | 2 | $8,000 |
| CODY KERR | TRUSTEE | 2 | $17,600 |
| LOU KERR | PRESIDENT(DECEASED 03/20/2024) | 2 | $45,176 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.thekerrfoundation.org
- Address: 12501 N May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73120-1948
- Telephone: 405-749-2877
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kerr Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission centers on five primary areas: 1. **Education** — Particularly higher learning and pre-collegiate organizations, including health science centers and medical research conducted by educational institutions 2. **Arts and Culture** — Organizations in visual and performing arts, as well as museums and libraries 3. **Health** — Institutions providing health care, medical research, or outreach organizations employing primarily professionals from the allied health field 4. **H…
How do I apply for a grant from The Kerr Foundation Inc?
The foundation structures its grants as **challenge grants**, meaning approved organizations must first raise or secure matching grants, donations, and/or pledges in the amount specified by the foundation before receiving payment. The challenge amount is typically dollar-for-dollar. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$25,000 • Total annual giving: $206,790 (based on recent filings) • Recent grant activity: 27 grants awarded in 2024
Where does The Kerr Foundation Inc make grants?
While preference is given to Oklahoma organizations and institutions, the foundation accepts grant requests from the following states and regions: • Arkansas • Colorado • Kansas • Missouri • New Mexico • Oklahoma (priority) • Texas • Washington D.C. area (with Oklahoma organizations receiving first priority for available funds)
What size grants does The Kerr Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Kerr Foundation Inc awarded 65 grants totaling $207K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kerr Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kerr Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Kerr Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Kerr Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1256122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kerr 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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