Grant Guidelines
Established in 2005 as a private family foundation, The Hardesty Family Foundation is designed to exist in perpetuity with the primary goal of supporting Tulsa based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations. Our vision centers around enhancing essential human needs and positively impacting the lives of the state’s valued citizens. To achieve our philanthropic vision, we actively engage in various areas, including the arts, workforce development, civic projects, mental health, addiction recovery, wellness, and court reforms.
HFF provides financial support through general operating grants, programmatic grants, capital grants, and program-related investments (PRI’s). As a policy, the foundation’s focus is primarily limited to the Tulsa area, and we refrain from financially supporting fundraising events.
Please note that grant applications are by invitation only. You will receive an email notification if you are selected for a grant cycle. It is important to be aware that our grants may not be utilized for lobbying or political endeavors.
Next scheduled Board Meeting: February 18, 2025
Typically the Board meets three to four times a year. If you are invited to apply for a grant, you will be informed of the deadline and meeting date at that time.
An applicant is allowed to make a submission only once within a 12-month period. If the applicant's proposal is either granted or declined, they are not eligible to apply again for 12 months from the date of the last payment or the declination.
The guidelines are subject to changes, and exceptions may be considered at the discretion of the Directors. Alterations to the guidelines will be communicated through the website. We encourage you to check back frequently for the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Foundation expects the grantee to maintain ongoing communication so it can monitor the use and effect of its awards. We have added progress and final report forms to the application page to aid you in those efforts. Please return to your sign in, here, click on the requirement tab within your account and remit the appropriate online requirement form to us. Look under the requirement tab for the required report(s) and due date. These will be posted soon after you receive a grant. Please always check for an outstanding report before you submit a new application, as an outstanding report will delay the new application process.
- Your latest audit including the management letter outlining any deficiencies and the steps you have taken to correct them.
- Your most recent IRS determination letter.
- Actuals vs. Budget for the current year and prior year.
- For a capital campaign, include a detailed Capital Campaign budget.
- List of the top ten contributors and the date the funding was received for the organization in the last year.
- If you are applying for a Program Grant, also add the top ten funders for that program.
- Latest 990 tax return including schedules A and O. If you filed a 990-N postcard instead, please upload the notice form of its acceptance.
- List of the Executive Staff and Board of Directors.
The Hardesty Family Foundation staff may request a site visit or a meeting with an applicant. A site visit or meeting indicates interest in a project, but should not be construed as signifying potential approval of a project.
An owner agent is a person who acts on your behalf, working with the construction firm, architect and others to ensure the agency’s goals are achieved within the prescribed budget. If brought into the process early, they can help negotiate the construction contract. Owner agents are valuable allies in dealing with design or construction issues and approving any change orders, potentially saving thousands of dollars to your agency.