Sarkeys Foundation

Sarkeys Foundation is one of Oklahoma's oldest and most consequential private foundations, operating continuously since 1962 with a core mission to improve quality of life across the state. With approximately $108 million in assets (FY2023) and annual giving historically ranging from $4.7 million (2019) to $7.3 million (2021), the foundation plays an outsized role in Oklahoma's nonprofit sector.

The foundation's giving philosophy centers on organizations that deliver direct, measurable services to underserved Oklahomans. The explicit geographic constraint — organizations must be headquartered in Oklahoma and serve Oklahomans — is absolute. The further requirement that programs have 'statewide significance' rather than purely local impact serves as a meaningful filter: the foundation explicitly discourages requests for programs that could be funded through local community sources.

The relationship progression at Sarkeys is clearly defined and sequential. It begins with a mandatory pre-LOI phone call to the Norman office at (405) 364-3703. Applicants should ask for Executive Director Kim Henry or a program officer. This call is not a formality — it screens organizational fit, alerts staff to your project, and places your LOI in context when it arrives. Organizations that skip this step or submit cold are at a distinct disadvantage.

First-time applicants should know that Sarkeys operates a biannual calendar with LOI deadlines of June 1 and December 1 (at 5pm sharp) and full application deadlines of February 1 and August 1. Grant decisions are communicated approximately two weeks after each LOI deadline. Only one request per 12-month period is permitted — a rule strictly enforced.

The grantee record reveals that Sarkeys values long-term relationships above all else. Many top grantees — including Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation (6 grants, $377,898), University of Tulsa (4 grants, $421,400), and Home Integration Inc (3 grants, $750,000) — have received sustained multi-cycle support. First-time applicants should frame initial requests modestly and position explicitly for a multi-year trajectory. Both capital construction and general operating support are funded, giving organizations flexibility in how they package requests.

Sarkeys Foundation's database of 366 Oklahoma grants reveals consistent and analyzable giving behavior. Total tracked giving of $16.6 million yields a database average of $45,486, though this is skewed by several major capital and endowment awards. The foundation's own reported typical grant size shows a median of $25,000 (range: $500 to $250,000) and an average of approximately $35,739 across 131 closely analyzed grants.

Annual giving has tracked closely with the foundation's investment returns. Giving totals across available fiscal years: $5.63M (2015), $6.45M (2012), $6.58M (2018), $4.67M (2019), $6.68M (2020), $7.25M (2021), $6.06M (2023). The peak in 2021 reflects strong equity markets on a $107.9M endowment; with net investment income of $6.56M in FY2023 on assets of $108.4M, the foundation distributes roughly 5.6% annually — a sustainable payout rate. Total assets have ranged from $101M to $130M over the past decade.

Grant size tiers emerge clearly from the grantee data. Major initiative grants ($200,000-$750,000+) fund capital construction and endowments, typically structured as multi-year commitments: Home Integration Inc and the Care Center each received $750,000 across three grants ($250,000/year); the Virtue Center, Sisu Youth, and Bethesda each received $187,500 across three grants ($62,500/year). Mid-range program grants ($50,000-$200,000) support established program operations over multiple years: Mental Health Association Oklahoma, United Way EmbraceOKC, and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation each received $300,000 over three grants ($100,000/year). Standard grants ($15,000-$50,000) represent the most common award and are typically for direct service programs — recent examples include Loveworks $38,000, Cleats for Kids $35,000, Legacy Parenting Center $25,000, Hearts That Care Clinic $20,000, and Harley's House $15,000.

By program area, human services (child welfare, domestic violence, mental health, homeless services, youth programs) dominate — roughly 60-65% of all grants by count. Education (early childhood, STEM, school-readiness) accounts for approximately 20-25%. Health (behavioral health, community clinics, cancer support) adds 10-15%. All 366 tracked grants are to Oklahoma organizations. Organizations serving rural counties alongside metro areas appear favored in recent cycles.

The following table compares Sarkeys Foundation to comparable Oklahoma private foundations based on publicly available 990 data and foundation profiles. Note that Sarkeys' database did not return matched peers, so comparisons are drawn from public sources.

Sarkeys stands out among comparable Oklahoma foundations primarily for accessibility: while Inasmuch, Chapman, and Helmerich operate by invitation only, Sarkeys maintains an open LOI-based process that any qualifying Oklahoma 501(c)(3) can initiate with a phone call. In terms of asset size and annual disbursement, Sarkeys sits at the top tier of the state's private philanthropy landscape, comparable to Kirkpatrick Family Fund and ahead of Chapman and Helmerich. Its giving is more broadly distributed across human services, education, and health than the more arts- and environment-focused Kirkpatrick, giving it the widest aperture of any large independent foundation in Oklahoma for social service organizations.

The most significant 2025 activity is the Southwest Regional Leadership Forum held November 3-4, 2025 at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Oklahoma City. This biennial event — offered in odd-numbered years — featured three keynote speakers and 36 breakout presenters covering nonprofit leadership, sustainability, and organizational impact. The forum is free or low-cost to Oklahoma nonprofits and represents the foundation's commitment to sector-wide capacity building beyond direct grantmaking. Prospective grantees should treat this as a relationship-building opportunity with foundation trustees and staff.

In 2024, the foundation awarded approximately $5.5 million across 152 grants — down from the 2021 peak of $7.25 million but consistent with the foundation's long-term average of $5-6.5M annually. The 2024 Annual Report documenting this activity was released in early 2025.

Recent 2024-2025 grant announcements confirm the typical range and focus: Loveworks Leadership (Norman) $38,000 for afterschool programming, Cleats for Kids (Oklahoma City) $35,000 for C4K Equip Oklahoma rural expansion, Legacy Parenting Center (Shawnee) $25,000 for parent education, Hearts That Care Volunteer Health Clinic (Lawton) $20,000 for operations, and Harley's House Crisis Nursery (Weatherford) $15,000 for childcare assistance.

Executive Director Kim Henry has led the foundation continuously for multiple years at a compensation of approximately $219,834 annually, indicating strong institutional stability. No leadership transitions have been publicly announced. The board of trustees currently includes Elizabeth Base (President), Dr. John Bell, Dan Little, Marilyn Morris, Teresa Adwan, Terry West, The Honorable Kris Steele, and Blake Virgin.

Call before you write anything. The mandatory pre-LOI phone call to (405) 364-3703 is the single most important step. Ask for Executive Director Kim Henry or a program officer. Introduce your organization and the project you are considering. This call functions as both a screening step and a relationship opener — it tells you immediately whether your project has traction, and it gives foundation staff context when your LOI arrives. Skipping this call is the most commonly cited mistake by declined applicants.

Use the foundation's own language. The guidelines explicitly state preference for 'applicants providing direct services to underserved populations' and programs with 'statewide significance.' These phrases should appear — authentically — in your LOI and full application. Describe your geographic reach beyond a single city. Quantify how many Oklahomans you serve and where.

Right-size your first ask. The foundation's median grant is $25,000 and the standard tier runs $15,000-$50,000. First-time applicants requesting $150,000 will raise flags. Request an amount that reflects the relationship stage — modest, specific, and tied to a defined deliverable. Establish credibility first.

Signal a multi-year vision from the start. Top grantees have 3-6 grant relationships spanning multiple cycles. Your LOI should frame the current request as 'Phase 1 of a three-year initiative' or similar. This positions the foundation as a strategic partner, not a one-time donor.

Structure capital campaign asks in tranches. The grantee data shows a recurrent pattern: capital campaigns funded at $62,500/year for three years ($187,500 total) or $250,000/year for three years ($750,000 total). If you are in a capital campaign, frame your ask around a specific phase — a wing, a floor, a system — with defined milestones and a completion date.

Align explicitly to the three focus areas. Education, social services/human service needs, and cultural/humanitarian programs are the pillars. Tag your proposal clearly to one or more of these. Do not assume the reviewer will intuit the connection from a program description alone.

Respect the 12-month rule. One request per year is strictly enforced. If your LOI is not advanced to a full application, your next window is one full year away — not the following cycle. Time your entry carefully.

Prepare your audit early. Organizations with assets exceeding $500,000 must submit an independent audit with the full application. Request it from your auditor well before the application deadline — auditors are often backed up in early spring and summer.

Submit by 5pm. The online portal closes hard at 5pm on LOI and application deadline days. Do not risk a technical issue by submitting in the final hour. Aim for 48 hours early.