Investing in people through finance and education; improving the financial health of customers and communities.
Arvest Foundation’s recent giving is marked by a mix of education, economic development, and community infrastructure grants, with several large awards tied to capital campaigns and local capacity building. In 2025, it backed the Little Rock Chamber Foundation again for the MetRock Forward Capital Campaign, extending a 2024 commitment to the same initiative. The foundation also supported Tulsa Area United Way with major program grants in both 2023 and 2025, showing a repeated role in regional community systems rather than one-off projects. Its funding pattern reaches beyond broad operating support into specific, place-based projects. Examples include support for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation’s building transformation, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust’s Discovery Awards and Orbit Arts, and Fort Kids’ museum building and exhibits in Fort Smith. On the workforce and education side, it has funded the Academies of Central Arkansas model in Pulaski County schools and scholarship support through the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. The overall picture is of a foundation that uses grants to strengthen institutions, training pathways, and community amenities across the communities it serves.
Education appears in multiple forms. Arvest Foundation gave $50,000 to Little Rock Chamber Foundation for the Academies of Central Arkansas for the Ford Next Generation Learning Model in four school districts in Pulaski County, and it also gave $30,000 to Tulsa Community College Foundation for scholarships through the “My Promise” scholarship program. Workforce and entrepreneurship are another clear thread. The foundation awarded $50,000 to 36 Degrees North Co to launch, scale, and expand entrepreneurial and workforce training programs at a new entrepreneurial hub, and $40,000 to Excellerate Foundation to support Upskill NWA. Housing and stability show up in smaller but targeted awards. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City received $40,000 for client assistance programs in Lawton-Fort Sill and an affordable housing study, while Next Step Day Room Inc. got $30,000 to build a tiny home for individuals transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list also includes larger capital and program awards. The pattern suggests many smaller grants with a smaller set of higher-dollar commitments. Recurring support is visible: Tulsa Area United Way and Little Rock Chamber Foundation each appear in multiple years, and Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust also recurs. Arvest Foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it funds individuals. The active grant-program descriptions indicate grants are made through the foundation and local bank leadership rather than an open unsolicited application process.
$4.3M
$21M
$1.2M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Grant activity is concentrated in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, with Oklahoma the top state by grant count. Arkansas recipients account for 41% of grants, while Oklahoma cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City appear repeatedly in the recent list. In Arkansas, Little Rock, Fort Smith, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville show up across education, arts, housing, and community projects. Missouri grants land in Springfield, including support for CoxHealth Foundation and United Way of the Ozarks. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Arvest Foundation funds governmental units, educational institutions, and charitable 501(c)(3) public charities. Its active programs emphasize community development, education, financial capability, small business and economic opportunity, health, and environment across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at both the 25th percentile and median, with $10,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, including $75,000, $70,000, and several $50,000 grants.
Yes. Tulsa Area United Way appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Little Rock Chamber Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern suggests repeat support for selected regional partners.
The foundation gives regionally across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, with Oklahoma as the top state by grant count. Arkansas recipients represent 41% of grants, and recent awards land in cities including Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Fort Smith, Springfield, and Bentonville.
Yes. The foundation’s profile identifies that it funds individuals. Its recent grantmaking, however, is centered on organizations such as chambers, nonprofits, schools, cultural institutions, and community service providers.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock Chamber Foundation | Little Rock, AR | $75,000 | 2025 | To support the MetRock Forward Capital Campaign for the economic development initiative. |
| Tulsa Area United Way | Tulsa, OK | $70,000 | 2025 | For program support to strengthen local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency. |
| Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation Inc | Oklahoma City, OK | $50,000 | 2025 | To help fund Forward Oklahoma City VI for to help grow and build a new economy, improve the business climate and create an irresistible quality of life for OKC. |
| Fort Kids | Fort Smith, AR | $50,000 | 2025 | To assist with the cost of construction of the museum building and exhibits. |
| Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Inc | Oklahoma City, OK | $42,500 | 2025 | To equip and strengthen the Oklahoma nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking and awards. |
| Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust | Tulsa, OK | $35,000 | 2025 | To support the Discovery Awards and Orbit Arts. |
| United Way of the Ozarks | Springfield, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | To support the Give 5 program and remodel of existing office space to create a functional community meeting room. |
| Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas Inc | Bentonville, AR | $33,750 | 2025 | For the capital campaign for scholarships across Northwest Arkansas. |
| Downtown Tulsa Partnership Inc | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To support enhanced beautification and cleanliness in downtown. |
| Teen Court Inc | Lawton, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To assist with facility renovation costs. |
| Oral Roberts University | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To support the David and Barbara Centre for Global Leadership. |
| Barnabas Foundation Inc | Branson, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | To fund 'The Farm' at Camp Barnabas. |
| Route 66 Alliance Inc | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To assist in Route 66 Road Fest that will preserve, promote, and enhance historic Route 66-past, present, and future. |
| Children's Tumor Foundation | New York, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | To support the Capital Campaign partnership between Arkansas Children's Hospital and UAMS to pilot the first of its kind Adult Neurofibromatosis Clinic. |
| UMKC Foundation | Kansas City, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | To support scholarship funds that are used for students that are enrolled in the banking degree program and are minority or first generation college attendees. |
| Shawnee Community Foundation | Shawnee, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | For Shawnee Public Schools, and their new turf on their football field. |
| Tulsa Police Foundation Inc | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To support the Corporate Partnership Program in funding key strategic initiatives for the Tulsa Police Department. |
| Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area | Joplin, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | For start-up costs that include the software for the program for the Community Action Ride System (CARS) that provides free transportation services to residents. |
| Tulsa Community College Foundation | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To support scholarships for TCC students through the "My Promise" scholarship program. |
| Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc | Springfield, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | To support regionalism efforts in a 10-county region that includes Greene, Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster Counties. |
| The Outsiders House Museum Association | Tulsa, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | To promote education, reading, authorship and the arts to students. |
| Van Buren Community Development Organization | Van Buren, AR | $25,000 | 2025 | For renovations to the Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center. |
| United Way of Central Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, OK | $22,500 | 2025 | To improve the health, safety, education, and economic well-being of individuals and families in need. |
| Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter Inc | Bentonville, AR | $21,000 | 2025 | For the Emergency Shelter/Residential Program $3,500 and the Nutrition Program $17,500. |
| Our Healthy Communities Inc | Rogers, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | For the Siloam Springs Senior Activity & Wellness Center to help replace the vehicle which is used to transport seniors to appointments and center outings. |
| Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas | Rogers, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | For general support towards the Mom-Baby medical service line. |
| City of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | To support the operations for the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). |
| Church Studio Music Foundation | Tulsa, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | To support artists without the funds to make a professional recording. |
| Project Hope Food Bank Inc | Hot Springs, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To purchase a forklift for the warehouse. |
| Tulsa Christian Education Corporation | Tulsa, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | To establish a Spanish section in the elementary library and expand the classroom libraries in the Spanish Immersion classrooms. |
| Hot Springs Village Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association | Hot Springs Village, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To support a new K9 Unit - fencing, bullet proof vest, vehicle modifications for K9 and training. |
| Tulsa Community Foundation | Tulsa, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | For the Tulsa State Fair Junior Livestock Auction Corp. Fund to support the Tulsa State Fair Night of Champions Scholarship Program. |
| Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club | Fort Smith, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To install a commercial kitchen to be used for their student feeding program. |
| Arts for All Inc | Lawton, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | To assist delivering summer art programs as well as promoting the arts throughout the Lawton Fort Sill community. |
| Fort Smith Chamber Economic Development Foundation Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To promote the Fort Smith area to maintain current business relationships, support company expansions, and attract new businesses to the area. |
| Food on the Move Inc | Tulsa, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | To support the Community Food and Resource Festival. |
| Rogers Development Foundation Inc | Rogers, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | For scholarships, program & speaker costs, event costs, food and programming for the Leadership, Education, Advancement & Development (L.E.A.D.) Rogers program. |
| Cobblestone Project | Fayetteville, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To fund hunger relief efforts in NWA. |
| Museum of Discovery | Little Rock, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | To support the Reimagination Capital Campaign. |
| Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc | Bentonville, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | For operation support for Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce. |
| Area Agency on Aging of NWA - Marion County Senior Activity and Wellness | Flippin, AR | $18,000 | 2025 | To assist in the purchase of a new vehicle for the Meals on Wheels program in Marion County. |
| Huntsville School District | Huntsville, AR | $17,500 | 2025 | To help provide Huntsville High School to found the Huntsville Eagle Wrestling program. It would fund competition mats and headgear to protect the students. |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Inc | Springdale, AR | $17,500 | 2025 | To refresh and update the most used spaces within the Ronald McDonald houses in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Rogers. |
| Oklahoma City Ballet | Oklahoma City, OK | $15,000 | 2025 | To offer classes for all ages and skill levels through the OKC Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School and assist in community engagement programs. |
| Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Inc | Tulsa, OK | $15,000 | 2025 | To invest in the future inclusive leaders of the communities who will continue to move forward and create an Oklahoma where all people can thrive. |
| The Peel Compton Foundation | Bentonville, AR | $15,000 | 2025 | To be used for the Osage Park Spring and Summer Youth Camp Series and the Adult Mountain Bike Programs at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. |
| Northwest Arkansas Council Foundation | Springdale, AR | $15,000 | 2025 | To assist the Spring Creek Food Hub to purchase a new inventory management software platform. |
| Pedal It Forward NWA | Bentonville, AR | $15,000 | 2025 | To cover expenses to successfully launch and operate the Springdale location. |
| Broken Arrow Public School Foundation Inc | Broken Arrow, OK | $15,000 | 2025 | For program support at Broken Arrow Public Schools, including but not limited to: Teacher Grants, Read to Succeed, Project Graduation, J.A. BizTown and Teacher of the Year. |
| United Way of Southwest Oklahoma Inc | Lawton, OK | $15,000 | 2025 | To support programs that provide educational support, financial literacy/income stability, affordable health care and basic human needs such as food and shelter. |
Little Rock Chamber Foundation
$75,000To support the MetRock Forward Capital Campaign for the economic development initiative.
Tulsa Area United Way
$70,000For program support to strengthen local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.
Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation Inc
$50,000To help fund Forward Oklahoma City VI for to help grow and build a new economy, improve the business climate and create an irresistible quality of life for OKC.
Fort Kids
$50,000To assist with the cost of construction of the museum building and exhibits.
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Inc
$42,500To equip and strengthen the Oklahoma nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking and awards.
Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust
$35,000To support the Discovery Awards and Orbit Arts.
United Way of the Ozarks
$35,000To support the Give 5 program and remodel of existing office space to create a functional community meeting room.
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas Inc
$33,750For the capital campaign for scholarships across Northwest Arkansas.
Downtown Tulsa Partnership Inc
$25,000To support enhanced beautification and cleanliness in downtown.
Teen Court Inc
$25,000To assist with facility renovation costs.
Oral Roberts University
$25,000To support the David and Barbara Centre for Global Leadership.
Barnabas Foundation Inc
$25,000To fund 'The Farm' at Camp Barnabas.
Route 66 Alliance Inc
$25,000To assist in Route 66 Road Fest that will preserve, promote, and enhance historic Route 66-past, present, and future.
Children's Tumor Foundation
$25,000To support the Capital Campaign partnership between Arkansas Children's Hospital and UAMS to pilot the first of its kind Adult Neurofibromatosis Clinic.
UMKC Foundation
$25,000To support scholarship funds that are used for students that are enrolled in the banking degree program and are minority or first generation college attendees.
Shawnee Community Foundation
$25,000For Shawnee Public Schools, and their new turf on their football field.
Tulsa Police Foundation Inc
$25,000To support the Corporate Partnership Program in funding key strategic initiatives for the Tulsa Police Department.
Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area
$25,000For start-up costs that include the software for the program for the Community Action Ride System (CARS) that provides free transportation services to residents.
Tulsa Community College Foundation
$25,000To support scholarships for TCC students through the "My Promise" scholarship program.
Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc
$25,000To support regionalism efforts in a 10-county region that includes Greene, Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster Counties.
The Outsiders House Museum Association
$25,000To promote education, reading, authorship and the arts to students.
Van Buren Community Development Organization
$25,000For renovations to the Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center.
United Way of Central Oklahoma
$22,500To improve the health, safety, education, and economic well-being of individuals and families in need.
Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter Inc
$21,000For the Emergency Shelter/Residential Program $3,500 and the Nutrition Program $17,500.
Our Healthy Communities Inc
$20,000For the Siloam Springs Senior Activity & Wellness Center to help replace the vehicle which is used to transport seniors to appointments and center outings.
Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas
$20,000For general support towards the Mom-Baby medical service line.
City of Tulsa
$20,000To support the operations for the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC).
Church Studio Music Foundation
$20,000To support artists without the funds to make a professional recording.
Project Hope Food Bank Inc
$20,000To purchase a forklift for the warehouse.
Tulsa Christian Education Corporation
$20,000To establish a Spanish section in the elementary library and expand the classroom libraries in the Spanish Immersion classrooms.
Hot Springs Village Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association
$20,000To support a new K9 Unit - fencing, bullet proof vest, vehicle modifications for K9 and training.
Tulsa Community Foundation
$20,000For the Tulsa State Fair Junior Livestock Auction Corp. Fund to support the Tulsa State Fair Night of Champions Scholarship Program.
Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club
$20,000To install a commercial kitchen to be used for their student feeding program.
Arts for All Inc
$20,000To assist delivering summer art programs as well as promoting the arts throughout the Lawton Fort Sill community.
Fort Smith Chamber Economic Development Foundation Inc
$20,000To promote the Fort Smith area to maintain current business relationships, support company expansions, and attract new businesses to the area.
Food on the Move Inc
$20,000To support the Community Food and Resource Festival.
Rogers Development Foundation Inc
$20,000For scholarships, program & speaker costs, event costs, food and programming for the Leadership, Education, Advancement & Development (L.E.A.D.) Rogers program.
Cobblestone Project
$20,000To fund hunger relief efforts in NWA.
Museum of Discovery
$20,000To support the Reimagination Capital Campaign.
Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc
$20,000For operation support for Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Area Agency on Aging of NWA - Marion County Senior Activity and Wellness
$18,000To assist in the purchase of a new vehicle for the Meals on Wheels program in Marion County.
Huntsville School District
$17,500To help provide Huntsville High School to found the Huntsville Eagle Wrestling program. It would fund competition mats and headgear to protect the students.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Inc
$17,500To refresh and update the most used spaces within the Ronald McDonald houses in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Rogers.
Oklahoma City Ballet
$15,000To offer classes for all ages and skill levels through the OKC Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School and assist in community engagement programs.
Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Inc
$15,000To invest in the future inclusive leaders of the communities who will continue to move forward and create an Oklahoma where all people can thrive.
The Peel Compton Foundation
$15,000To be used for the Osage Park Spring and Summer Youth Camp Series and the Adult Mountain Bike Programs at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve.
Northwest Arkansas Council Foundation
$15,000To assist the Spring Creek Food Hub to purchase a new inventory management software platform.
Pedal It Forward NWA
$15,000To cover expenses to successfully launch and operate the Springdale location.
Broken Arrow Public School Foundation Inc
$15,000For program support at Broken Arrow Public Schools, including but not limited to: Teacher Grants, Read to Succeed, Project Graduation, J.A. BizTown and Teacher of the Year.
United Way of Southwest Oklahoma Inc
$15,000To support programs that provide educational support, financial literacy/income stability, affordable health care and basic human needs such as food and shelter.