About Lyon Foundation
The Lyon Foundation concentrates philanthropic support in Bartlesville and surrounding local institutions, prioritizing capital projects and facility improvements that serve children, families, and community recreation. Grants fund new buildings, major renovations, and acquisition of property for nonprofits and municipal recreation, with a notable interest in youth-serving programs and services for vulnerable populations. Their giving is highly place-based and infrastructure-focused rather than programmatic operating grants.
Focus Areas
Capital projects for youth-serving organizations (e.g., new building for Boys & Girls Club)Accessibility and residential facilities for vulnerable populations (e.g., dorm/bath for Lighthouse Outreach, Paths to Independence improvements)Municipal and community recreation infrastructure (parks, golf course greens, Kiddie Park maintenance)Local public education support tied to hands-on facilities (school greenhouses, school general support)Community foundation and local donor-advised support (large gift to Bartlesville Community Foundation)
Who They Fund
first responders / fire & EMS units
About Lyon Foundation
Lyon Foundation’s giving is marked by one unusually large local investment: $1,002,500 to Boys & Girls Club for a new building. That grant captures the foundation’s pattern of backing capital projects that change what local organizations can physically do, rather than just covering day-to-day expenses. Across recent years, the foundation has paired major facility work with support for youth-serving, housing, health, and community-use sites in Bartlesville and nearby Washington County. Examples include $356,834 to Paths to Independence for building improvements and $277,600 to Lighthouse Outreach for land purchase, dorm and bathroom facilities, and a mini van. The foundation also funded civic and recreation assets through Bartlesville institutions, including park upkeep, golf-course work, and public school greenhouses. Its portfolio shows a strong preference for projects tied to buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment, with grants that help organizations expand or maintain physical spaces used by children, families, seniors, and people receiving services. The overall picture is of a place-based funder making practical investments in local infrastructure and community-serving facilities.
What Lyon Foundation Funds
Facility investment is the clearest thread in the Lyon Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $111,000 to B the Light for a facility remodel and $43,831 to Family Promise of Washington County to replace HVAC. It also funded $35,000 to Bartlesville Lions Charities for interior improvements to a building and $32,820 to Family Healthcare Clinic for a parking lot replacement. Transportation and equipment show up as another theme: the foundation awarded $85,000 to American Red Cross for new vehicles and $56,664 to Washington County Fire Department for two MULEs and conversion of a truck. Education-related grants are tied to physical needs as well, including $252,000 to Bartlesville Public Schools Isd #30 for general support and green houses.
How Lyon Foundation Gives
Typical grant size centers on modest project support, with a p25 of $5,000, median of $10,000, and p75 of $50,000. The distribution includes occasional larger capital grants, but many awards fall below the $50,000 mark. The foundation’s recent list shows repeat support for some recipients across multiple years, including On the Rock Ministries, American Red Cross, and Bartlesville Community Foundation. Lyon Foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including a short proposal with organizational and project details, IRS documentation, and budget information.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.5M
Total Assets
$59.1M
Total Revenue
$3.8M
Total Expenses
$2.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Local3 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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