About El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation
The El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation makes a small number of large, unrestricted grants focused primarily on higher education, K–12 independent schooling, and health care institutions. Their funding is concentrated in Oklahoma-based organizations (notably the University of Oklahoma, Mercy Health Foundation, and Casady School) but also supports major medical research institutions such as MD Anderson. Grants are typically for general purpose support, suggesting a preference for core operating and institutional capacity.
Focus Areas
University-level unrestricted support (University of Oklahoma)Hospital/health system general operating support and medical research (Mercy Health Foundation, MD Anderson)Independent private K–12 school support (Casady School)
Who They Fund
general public/unspecified populationsnonprofit organizations (unspecified)
Giving Approach
Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a few repeat institutional grantees; primarily general-purpose funding rather than project-restricted gifts; mix of local (Oklahoma) focus with selective support for prominent out-of-state medical institutions.
Funding Style
About El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation
A defining feature of the El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation is its pattern of large, unrestricted grants to Oklahoma institutions, with repeated support for schools, universities, hospitals, and cultural organizations. In the recent-grants list, Casady School received $1,502,000 in 2025, while the University of Oklahoma Foundation Inc. received $1,020,500 that same year. Those awards fit a broader profile of general-purpose funding rather than project-restricted support, which gives recipient organizations flexibility in how they use the money. The foundation’s giving also reaches major medical and community institutions. Mercy Health Foundation Oklahoma City received $1,005,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Ou Health received $1,000,000 in both years. Other grants support organizations such as the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The repeated presence of the same recipients across years points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. Although the foundation’s grantmaking is concentrated in Oklahoma, its recent list includes large gifts outside the state as well, including University of Texas MD Anderson in Houston and Uofl Health Foundation in Louisville.
What El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Funds
Education is one of the clearest themes in the El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation’s grantmaking. The University of Oklahoma Foundation Inc. received $1,020,500 in 2025 for general purpose support, and Casady School received $1,502,000 in 2025 for general purpose support. The foundation also backed Oklahoma State University Foundation with $327,324 in 2024. Medical research and health care are another major area. Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation received $672,500 in 2024 and $272,500 in 2025, both for general purpose support. Mercy Health Foundation Oklahoma City received $1,005,000 in 2024 and again in 2025. The foundation also funds children’s and community-serving organizations. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Ou Health received $1,000,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Special Care received $250,000 in 2025. Community infrastructure appears in grants such as $456,750 to United Way of Central Oklahoma in 2025.
How El and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Gives
Recent grants show a mid-to-large grant profile: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. The recent list also includes several seven-figure awards, which suggests a small number of very large institutional grants alongside many smaller gifts. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially for institutions such as Mercy Health Foundation Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Ou Health, and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. That pattern indicates recurring support rather than isolated awards. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its general grant programs accept unsolicited requests, including an LOI-based biannual cycle and an online grant request portal.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$15.6M
Total Assets
$260.1M
Total Revenue
$12.8M
Total Expenses
$16.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Local8 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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