The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Founded in 1945, it was established by Lloyd Noble, a successful oilman who named the foundation after his father, Samuel Roberts Noble. The foundation continues Lloyd Noble's philanthropic legacy by funding agricultural research and making charitable grants that support health, education, and community development, primarily in Oklahoma.
Key facts about The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
- EIN
- 81-5328519
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $53,930,124
- Grants made (2024)
- 153
- Average grant
- $352,484
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (15 of 73, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,091,026,668
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts letters of inquiry through its application portal from January through June. 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 Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's 153 itemized 2024 grants were Oklahoma (76%) and Georgia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ardmore, OK (25 grants), Oklahoma City, OK (22 grants), Stillwater, OK (5 grants) and Stratford, OK (5 grants). 20% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sam Noble Scholarship" (42 grants), "Noble Educational Fund" (22 grants) and "2023-2024 Scholarships" (3 grants).
Is The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 73 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $193K; repeat grants $876K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $28K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
- How to evaluate The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1B
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$53.9M
+11.5% YoY
Grant Count
153
-13.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$352K
+29.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To continue the philanthropic legacy of Lloyd Noble by funding agricultural research and making charitable grants that cultivate good health, support education and build stronger communities.
Vision: To see grant recipients successfully address agricultural challenges, expand educational opportunities, advance medical research, improve health services and strengthen communities.
The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- Agricultural Research: The foundation continues Noble's vision to address agricultural challenges by funding agricultural research conducted through the Noble Research Institute
- Health: Supporting medical research and health services
- Education: Expanding educational opportunities
- Community Development: Building stronger communities, primarily in Oklahoma
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not detailed in sources
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, though it also supports projects in Texas, Georgia, California, and other states across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 153 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $1,091,026,668 (2024)
- Total Giving: $53,930,124 (2024)
- Total Revenues: $114,212,278 (2024)
- Total Expenses: $61,723,751 (2024)
- Number of Employees: 2 (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,091,026,668 | $1,060,200,643 | $1,003,604,641 |
| Revenue | $114,212,278 | $37,414,115 | $34,946,029 |
| Expenses | $61,723,751 | $55,156,360 | $50,183,173 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $55,159,037 | $50,151,795 | $46,809,659 |
| Net Investment Income | $108,495,814 | $43,777,671 | $24,731,627 |
| Distributable Amount | $52,533,114 | $50,790,430 | $51,165,115 |
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
885 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Noble Research Institute LLC ($36,526,675 across 3 grants), Leading the Way with Dr Michael Youssef Inc ($8,348,600 across 2 grants), The Children's Center Inc DBA Bethany Children's Health Center ($1,780,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE LLC Ardmore, OK | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $36,500,000 |
| LEADING THE WAY WITH DR MICHAEL YOUSSEF INC Atlanta, GA | NOBLE MINISTRY FUND | $8,250,000 |
| THE CHILDREN'S CENTER INC DBA BETHANY CHILDREN'S HEALTH CENTER Bethany, TX | THE LANDMARK OF HOPE EXPANSION PROJECT | $1,780,000 |
| SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AMBULANCE SERVICE INC Ardmore, OK | AMBULANCE FACILITY PROJECT | $1,500,000 |
| SHEPHERD CENTER INC Atlanta, OK | PERFORMANCE LAB AND ED NOBLE SMART TECH HUB | $1,000,000 |
| HERITAGE FOUNDATION Washington, DC | ED NOBLE LOBBY | $750,000 |
| OKLAHOMA COUNCIL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS INC Oklahoma City, OK | THE GENERATIONS PROJECT | $500,000 |
| YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma City, TX | YMCA CAMP CLASSEN: HERE FOR ALL. HERE FOR GOOD. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| HERITAGE FOUNDATION Washington, DC | FIRST PRINCIPLES, FREE ENTERPRISE, AND EDUCATION CHOICE | $400,000 |
| CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION Dallas, TX | BUILDING THE NEW DALLAS PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL CAMPUS | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Randolph Brown Jr | Director | 6 | $43,000 |
| Susan Brown | Director | 6 | $41,000 |
| James Day | Director | 6 | $48,500 |
| Sam Dubose | Advisory Director (Thru 11/24) | 6 | $45,000 |
| Vivian Noble Dubose | Advisory Director (As of 11/24) | 6 | $44,083 |
| Alyson Gilbert | Advisory Director | 6 | $16,370 |
| Bill Goddard | Director | 6 | $43,000 |
| Virginia Heckman | Director | 6 | $67,000 |
| Jessie Nance | Director | 6 | $44,000 |
| Cody Noble | Chairman/Director | 6 | $46,917 |
| Russell Noble | Director | 6 | $44,000 |
| Jo Kate Parker | Advisory Director | 6 | $35,000 |
| Clark Ruppert | Advisory Director | 6 | $32,000 |
| Ellen Ruppert | Advisory Director (As of 11/24) | 6 | $3,000 |
| Marianne Rooney | Director | 6 | $45,500 |
| Jack Waldo | Director | 6 | $49,500 |
| Stephen Young | Director | 6 | $63,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements include support for:
Dean McGee Eye Institute: $800,000 in research and academic grants
Dean McGee Eye Institute secures $800,000 in research and ...Oklahoma City University Physical Therapy program: Grant received
Oklahoma City University Physical Theraphy program receives Noble FoundationNoble Foundation scientists: Major research grant earned
Noble Foundation Scientists Earn Major Research GrantSam Noble Scholarships: 14 Oklahoma students received scholarships in recent cycle
Oklahoma City University Physical Theraphy program receives Noble FoundationContact Information
- Website: www.noblefoundation.org
- Phone: 580-223-5810
- Address: 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401-2124
- EIN: 81-5328519
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To continue the philanthropic legacy of Lloyd Noble by funding agricultural research and making charitable grants that cultivate good health, support education and build stronger communities. **Vision:** To see grant recipients successfully address agricultural challenges, expand educational opportunities, advance medical research, improve health services and strengthen communities. The foundation's primary funding areas include: • **Agricultural Research:** The foundation continue…
How do I apply for a grant from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation?
The foundation accepts letters of inquiry through its application portal from January through June. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, though it also supports projects in Texas, Georgia, California, and other states across the United States.
What size grants does The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation award?
In 2024, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation awarded 153 grants totaling $53.9M — an average of about $352K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's EIN?
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5328519. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$974.0M
Grants
634
Total Given
$55.3M
Shell USA Company Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
4,650
Total Given
$16.0M
Folds of Honor Foundation
Owasso, OK
Assets
$109.1M
Grants
1,611
Total Given
$37.7M
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Assets
$281.0M
Grants
476
Total Given
$37.3M
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Assets
$5.1B
Grants
383
Total Given
$99.9M
Inasmuch Foundation
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$409.7M
Grants
351
Total Given
$19.5M
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$204.0M
Grants
268
Total Given
$17.6M
One Gas Foundation Inc
Tulsa, OK
Assets
$32.7M
Grants
212
Total Given
$2.6M
The Alliance for Economic Development
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$9.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$6.8M
American Fidelity Foundation
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$48.1M
Grants
205
Total Given
$2.4M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
More Funders in Oklahoma
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.