The Patti Johnson Wilson Foundation concentrates its giving in the Tulsa/Oklahoma higher-education, arts, and women’s services sectors, primarily funding scholarships and operational/capital needs for local institutions. Grants are large and targeted, supporting specific programs (college scholarships, a symphony concert series) and an ongoing community resource in the Patti Johnson Wilson Center at YWCA Tulsa. The foundation favors regional impact, backing both universities and cultural organizations that serve the Tulsa area.
The Patti Johnson Wilson Foundation’s most distinctive pattern is its sustained backing of college scholarships, paired with major support for Tulsa arts and women’s services organizations. In the latest grants list, the largest award was $262,000 to the University of Tulsa for college scholarship support, and similar scholarship funding went to Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Kansas. That same year, the foundation also supported Tulsa cultural institutions and a women’s organization through sizable grants to Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Opera Inc, Tulsa Ballet Theatre Inc, Philbrook Museum of Art, and YWCA Tulsa. The funding profile points to a local giver with concentrated, repeat relationships. Tulsa-based institutions appear often, but the scholarship work reaches beyond Oklahoma to universities in Kansas and Arkansas. Several grants combine operating support with named programs, such as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra’s Patti Johnson Wilson Classics Series and the Patti Johnson Wilson Center at YWCA Tulsa. The foundation also supports facilities and program infrastructure, as shown by Philbrook Museum of Art’s hall maintenance and accessibility upgrades. Across the recent record, the pattern is selective, sizable, and tied to specific institutions rather than broad public grant cycles.
College scholarships are the clearest theme in the recent record. The foundation gave $262,000 to the University of Tulsa for college scholarship support, and it also funded scholarships at Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Kansas. Arts funding is another major thread. Tulsa Symphony Orchestra received $200,000 for the TSO’s 2024-2025 Patti Johnson Wilson Classics Series, while Tulsa Opera Inc received $100,000 for fund operations and artistic programming. Tulsa Ballet Theatre Inc also received $90,000 for general operations and season programming. The foundation’s women’s services support appears through YWCA Tulsa, which received $200,000 for ongoing maintenance and general operating costs of the Patti Johnson Wilson Center, capital improvement work, and the 2024 Women of the Year-Pinnacle Awards. Philbrook Museum of Art received $131,042 for hall maintenance, carpeting, a hearing loop, and lighting improvements.
$2.2M
$35.6M
$4.8M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $98K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$98K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of regional institutions; repeat support for higher education and an ongoing anchor gift to a local women’s center. Few grants overall, aimed at program-specific and capital/operating needs rather than broad small-dollar support.
Notable grantees: Oklahoma City University, University of Tulsa, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, YWCA Tulsa
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $98,000 at the 75th percentile, showing a spread from modest awards to six-figure grants. The recent record includes repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, including the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma City University, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, YWCA Tulsa, Tulsa Opera Inc, Oklahoma State University, University of Arkansas, Kansas State University, and University of Oklahoma. This is a foundation, not a DAF or program-related-investment funder, and it also funds individuals. The grants shown are direct awards rather than an open application process.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local in a regional sense, with 83% of grants going to recipients in Oklahoma. Tulsa is the most common city in the recent grants list, followed by Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Norman. The foundation also gives beyond Oklahoma when scholarship recipients are tied to universities in Manhattan, Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Every grant in the recipient country distribution went to the US.
The recent record centers on college scholarships, Tulsa arts organizations, and women’s services. Scholarships went to the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Kansas, while arts and women’s services grants went to Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Opera Inc, Tulsa Ballet Theatre Inc, Philbrook Museum of Art, and YWCA Tulsa.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $98,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include six-figure grants such as $262,000 to the University of Tulsa and $200,000 to both Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and YWCA Tulsa.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support for several recipients across multiple years, including the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma City University, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, YWCA Tulsa, Tulsa Opera Inc, Oklahoma State University, University of Arkansas, Kansas State University, and University of Oklahoma.
Most grants go to Oklahoma recipients, with 83% of grants in the HQ state. Tulsa is the most frequent city among recipients, with additional grants going to Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Norman.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and the grant record suggests scholarship support is a major mechanism for that, with awards made to universities for college scholarship use.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YWCA TULSA | TULSA, OK | $325,000 | 2026 | ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CENTER; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT; SPONSORSHIP FOR 10TH ANNUAL PINNACLE AWARDS |
| OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $310,408 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | TULSA, OK | $250,000 | 2026 | OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF EMANUEL AX; 2025-2026 PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CLASSICS SERIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF TULSA | TULSA, OK | $192,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART | TULSA, OK | $172,338 | 2026 | PATTI JOHNSON WILSON HALL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FY 2025; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | MANHATTAN, KS | $160,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY | STILLWATER, OK | $140,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS | LAWRENCE, KS | $136,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA BALLET THEATRE INC | TULSA, OK | $115,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND; PRESERVING THE LEGACY CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $100,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA OPERA INC | TULSA, OK | $100,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATIONS AND ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING; 2024-2025 MAINSTAGE AND TULSA YOUTH OPERA PRODUCTIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA | NORMAN, OK | $95,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA BOTANIC GARDENS | TULSA, OK | $37,027 | 2026 | INSTALLATION OF A PERMANENT SOUND SYSTEM IN THE TANDY FLORAL TERRACES |
| TULSA YOUTH SYMPHONY | TULSA, OK | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PROGRAMS; TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS; UNDERWRITE STRATEGIC PLANNING FEES |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA | TULSA, OK | $5,500 | 2026 | REGIONAL COMPETITION |
| TULSA HONORS ORCHESTRA | TULSA, OK | $3,000 | 2026 | PATTI JOHNSON WILSON COLLEGIATE PIANO SCHOLARSHIP |
| HYECHKA CLUB OF TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $3,000 | 2026 | PATTI JOHNSON WILSON COLLEGIATE PIANO SCHOLARSHIP |
| ANIMAL AID OF TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| TULSA AREA UNITED WAY | TULSA, OK | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF TULSA | TULSA, OK | $262,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| YWCA TULSA | TULSA, OK | $200,000 | 2025 | ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CENTER; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT; 2024 WOMEN OF THE YEAR-PINNACLE AWARDS |
| TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | TULSA, OK | $200,000 | 2025 | TSO'S 2024-2025 PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CLASSICS SERIES |
| OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $185,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY | STILLWATER, OK | $140,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART | TULSA, OK | $131,042 | 2025 | PATTI JOHNSON WILSON HALL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FY 2024; INSTALLATION OF NEW CARPET; INSTALLATION OF HEARING LOOP; LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | MANHATTAN, KS | $120,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA OPERA INC | TULSA, OK | $100,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATIONS AND ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $100,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS | LAWRENCE, KS | $92,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA BALLET THEATRE INC | TULSA, OK | $90,000 | 2025 | 2024 GENERAL OPERATIONS; 2023-2024 SEASON, MAINSTAGE AND TULSA YOURH OPERA PRODUCTIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA | NORMAN, OK | $60,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA YOUTH SYMPHONY | TULSA, OK | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PROGRAMS; TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS; UNDERWRITE STRATEGIC PLANNING FEES |
| OKLAHOMA CENTENNIAL BOTANICAL GARDEN | TULSA, OK | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUM | BENTONVILLE, AR | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA | TULSA, OK | $5,500 | 2025 | REGIONAL COMPETITION |
| HYECHKA CLUB OF TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $3,000 | 2025 | PATTI JOHNSON WILSON COLLEGIATE PIANO SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA HONORS ORCHESTRA | TULSA, OK | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC |
| TULSA AREA UNITED WAY | TULSA, OK | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| ANIMAL AID OF TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $181,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| YWCA TULSA | TULSA, OK | $150,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | TULSA, OK | $130,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA | TULSA, OK | $120,000 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA | TULSA, OK | $109,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $80,000 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA | NORMAN, OK | $80,000 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | STILLWATER, OK | $72,000 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | MANHATTAN, KS | $64,000 | 2024 | COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| TULSA OPERA INC | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
| PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART | TULSA, OK | $44,212 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY |
ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CENTER; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT; SPONSORSHIP FOR 10TH ANNUAL PINNACLE AWARDS
OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF EMANUEL AX; 2025-2026 PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CLASSICS SERIES
UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
$192,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
PATTI JOHNSON WILSON HALL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FY 2025; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$160,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
$140,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
$136,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
$100,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
FUND OPERATIONS AND ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING; 2024-2025 MAINSTAGE AND TULSA YOUTH OPERA PRODUCTIONS
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
$95,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
TULSA BOTANIC GARDENS
$37,027INSTALLATION OF A PERMANENT SOUND SYSTEM IN THE TANDY FLORAL TERRACES
TULSA YOUTH SYMPHONY
$25,000GENERAL PROGRAMS; TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS; UNDERWRITE STRATEGIC PLANNING FEES
METROPOLITAN OPERA
$5,500REGIONAL COMPETITION
HYECHKA CLUB OF TULSA INC
$3,000PATTI JOHNSON WILSON COLLEGIATE PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
ANIMAL AID OF TULSA INC
$1,000UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY
UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
$262,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE PATTI JOHNSON WILSON CENTER; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT; 2024 WOMEN OF THE YEAR-PINNACLE AWARDS
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
$140,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
PATTI JOHNSON WILSON HALL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FY 2024; INSTALLATION OF NEW CARPET; INSTALLATION OF HEARING LOOP; LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$120,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
$100,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
$92,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
TULSA BALLET THEATRE INC
$90,0002024 GENERAL OPERATIONS; 2023-2024 SEASON, MAINSTAGE AND TULSA YOURH OPERA PRODUCTIONS
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
$60,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
TULSA YOUTH SYMPHONY
$30,000GENERAL PROGRAMS; TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS; UNDERWRITE STRATEGIC PLANNING FEES
OKLAHOMA CENTENNIAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
$30,000UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY
METROPOLITAN OPERA
$5,500REGIONAL COMPETITION
HYECHKA CLUB OF TULSA INC
$3,000PATTI JOHNSON WILSON COLLEGIATE PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
TULSA HONORS ORCHESTRA
$3,000SUPPORT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
ANIMAL AID OF TULSA INC
$1,000UNRESTRICTED USE BY CHARITABLE ENTITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
$120,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
$109,500COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
$80,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
$80,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$64,000COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP