The Kerr Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation supports programs and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities for those within its granting areas (including education), particularly the young.

Average award: $1,000–$10,000
Total awarded: $351,035
Note: Awards typically challenge grant that must be matched 1:1 within 12 months from the award date.

Application Timeframe:

Deadline: Typically, in January, July, and November annually
Award Project Period: 1–3 years

Address: 12501 North May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73120

Phone: 405-749-7991

The Kerr Foundation seeks to support programs and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities for those within the granting areas, particularly the young. Giving areas include education, health, cultural development, and community service. Education grants support institutions of elementary, junior high, and pre-collegiate, along with institutions of higher learning to include health science centers and medical research done by educational institutions.

Favorable consideration of a proposal will normally be in the form of a challenge grant. This means that the organization approved for a grant must first raise or secure grants, donations, and/or pledges in the total amount specified in the grant in order to receive payment from the Kerr Foundation. The challenge amount is usually dollar-for-dollar and typically must be secured within 12 months from the date of award.

Eligibility Details: 

Nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Preference is given to Oklahoma organizations.

• $50,000 to ASTEC Fund (Oklahoma City, OK) to provide capital funding for the new ASTEC Charter School campus, which would include a naming opportunity for the new spaces at the school.
• $25,000 over three years to Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, OK) to support the construction of a new building for the lower school that will serve students from preschool through grade four.
• $15,000 to American Indian Cultural Center Foundation (Oklahoma City, OK) to help finance the construction of the American Cultural Center and Museum.
• $7,900 to Harmony Foundation (East Park, CO) to remodel and update the laundry facilities in the women’s center.

Email an inquiry that includes the following: brief organization history; general description of the organization’s programs; amount of money requested; proposed project description; project need; target population and geographic area, providing statistical facts; other funding sources; and IRS exemption letter.

Note: The Foundation suspended its grantmaking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations interested in applying should review the Foundation’s website for current grant making status and for any updates to the application process.