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.
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
The foundation accepts letters of inquiry through its application portal from January through June. Staff members are accessible by email and phone.
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not detailed in sources
How to Apply
**
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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
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 |
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
2 open opportunities from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Leading the Way With Dr Michael Youssef Inc ($8,250,000), Heritage Foundation ($750,000), Heritage Foundation ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A CHANCE TO CHANGE FOUNDATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $55,000 |
| A PLUS READING INC ARDMORE, OK | PARTIAL FUNDING FOR READING THERAPISTS SALARIES | $40,000 |
| ASHLEY INC HAVRE DE GRACE, MD | BIRDS OF A FEATHER TREATMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR PILOTS AND AIRLINE PERSONNEL | $200,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL OKLAHOMA EDUCATORS FOUNDATION NORMAN, OK | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ATLANTA UNION MISSION CORPORATION ATLANTA, GA | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BISHOP MCGUINNESS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $10,000 |
| BISHOP MCGUINNESS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | SOFTBALL PROGRAM | $9,955 |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $60,000 |
| CARTER COUNTY CASA INC ARDMORE, OK | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CASADY SCHOOL OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $53,930,124 • Total assets: $1,091,026,668 • Typical award range: $50 to $40,500,000 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not detailed in sources **Recent Major Grants (2024):** • Noble Research Institute LLC: $36,500,000 (Operational Support) • Leading The Way with Dr Michael Youssef: $8,250,000 (Noble Ministry Fund) • Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service: $1,500,000 (Ambulance Facility Project) **Applicat…
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
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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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