The Robert S & Grayce B Kerr Foundation concentrates its giving on cultural and conservation causes in Oklahoma and nationally, with a dominant emphasis on sustaining a single flagship arts institution. Most grants support long-standing, operational needs of organizations that serve cultural preservation (notably wildlife art), conservation, and services for children and therapeutic equine programs. The foundation favors a small portfolio of grantees and appears to make sizable, targeted gifts, sometimes in memory of family members.
A defining thread in Robert S & Grayce B Kerr Foundation grantmaking is its long-running support for the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, including a $1,227,000 grant in 2023 and a $1,000,000 grant in 2024. That relationship sits alongside a broader portfolio that reaches into conservation, equine services, children’s wish-granting, and selected education and community needs. The foundation gave $241,000 to Nexus Equine in Oklahoma City in 2025 for general operating support, showing that operational funding is part of the pattern, not only project grants. It also directed $172,000 to The Nature Conservancy in 2025 for general operating support in memory of Bill & Joffa Kerr. Across the recent grants list, the foundation appears to favor a small set of recurring recipients rather than a wide one-time spread, with many awards tied to operating costs, pledges, sponsorships, or named funds. The mix includes arts institutions, conservation organizations, animal-related programs, and nonprofit services for children and families, with several grants linked to Oklahoma and Jackson Hole organizations.
Cultural and museum support is central. The foundation gave $195,000 in 2025 to the National Museum of Wildlife Art for an art gift to museum, and another $140,000 in 2025 for the Carl Rungius Catalogue Raisonné as part of a 9-year pledge. Conservation is another visible area: in 2025, The Nature Conservancy received $172,000 for general operating support in memory of Bill & Joffa Kerr. Animal welfare and equine services also appear repeatedly. Nexus Equine received $24,500 in 2024 for Rita’s Equine Angel Fund, animal care supplies, and a golf invitational to raise funds for animal care, while the International Fund for Animal Welfare received $10,000 in 2023 for Ukraine support for animals. The foundation also funded child-centered aid through Make-a-wish Oklahoma with a $172,000 general operating grant in 2025.
Typical awards are modest relative to the foundation’s larger gifts: the p25 grant size is $4,250, the median is $9,000, and the p75 is $15,000. The recent record shows repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Nexus Equine, Teton Youth & Family Services, Community Safety Network, Teton County Library, and Climb - Wyoming. Grants often take the form of general operating support, unrestricted support, pledges, memorial-designated gifts, and sponsorships. The foundation also funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
$1M
$22.9M
$4.5M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $4K and $15K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 39% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of organizations with repeat grants to flagship grantees; grants are largely unrestricted/operating or dedicated memorial gifts rather than many small, one-off awards.
Notable grantees: National Museum of Wildlife Art, The Nature Conservancy, Nexus Equine, Make‑A‑Wish Oklahoma
Grantmaking is national, but the recent record is heavily weighted toward the foundation’s Oklahoma base and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Oklahoma City recipients include Nexus Equine, Make-a-wish Oklahoma, Jesus House, and Cleats for Kids. Jackson Hole recipients include the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Teton County Library, Teton Youth & Family Services, Community Safety Network, and the Children’s Learning Center. Virginia appears as the top state by grant count, reflected in The Nature Conservancy’s Merrifield address. All recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation’s recent grants center on museums and art organizations, conservation groups, equine and animal welfare programs, and children’s services. The National Museum of Wildlife Art receives repeated support, while other grants go to conservation, therapeutic equine, and wish-granting organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Nexus Equine, Teton Youth & Family Services, Community Safety Network, Teton County Library, and Climb - Wyoming. The pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than mostly one-time gifts.
The grant-size distribution is relatively small at the middle of the portfolio: p25 is $4,250, median grant size is $9,000, and p75 is $15,000. Larger gifts do appear, including several six- and seven-figure awards.
The foundation gives nationally, but many recent grants land in Oklahoma and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Oklahoma City and Jackson Hole are especially visible recipient locations, while Virginia is the top state by grant count in the dataset.
Museum support shows up through a mix of large art gifts, sponsorships, catalog support, and internships. Recent examples include grants for an art gift to museum, various grants and sponsorships, the Carl Rungius Catalogue Raisonné, and an education internship pledge.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEXUS EQUINE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $241,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $195,000 | 2025 | ART GIFT TO MUSEUM |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | MERRIFIELD, VA | $172,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATING FUND IN MEMORY OF BILL & JOFFA KERR |
| MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $172,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $140,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR CARL RUNGIUS CATALOGUE RAISONNE (9 YEAR PLEDGE) |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC | NORMAN, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | AUBREY M KERR SR. SCHOLARSHIP-OU LAW |
| TETON YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| TETON COUNTY LIBRARY | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CLIMB - WYOMING | CHEYENNE, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC | NORMAN, OK | $5,000 | 2025 | ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT GENERAL CAPITAL FUND |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | ART GIFT TO MUSEUM |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $156,000 | 2024 | VARIOUS GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS |
| PROTEZ FOUNDATION | OAKDALE, MN | $51,000 | 2024 | GRANT TO SUPPLY PROSTHETICS TO UKRAINIANS IN NEED |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC | NORMAN, OK | $30,000 | 2024 | ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT GENERAL CAPITAL FUND |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | CHEYENNE, WY | $27,000 | 2024 | OLD BILL'S FUN RUN-SUPPORTS MULTIPLE CHARITIES IN JACKSON, WY |
| NEXUS EQUINE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $24,500 | 2024 | GRANT OF $8225 FOR RITA'S EQUINE ANGEL FUND & $1775 FOR ANIMAL CARE SUPPLIES, GOLF INVITATIONAL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ANIMAL CARE |
| EDMOND MOBILE MEALS | EDMOND, OK | $17,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CLIMB - WYOMING | CHEYENNE, WY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TETON YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| TETON COUNTY LIBRARY | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| JESUS HOUSE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CLEATS FOR KIDS | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR & EQUIPMENT TO UNDERPRIVILEDGED YOUTH |
| DRESS FOR SUCCESS | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HONOLULU, HI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND FOR THE WILDFIRES ON MAUI |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | MERRIFIELD, VA | $6,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO HELP PROTECT ENVIRONMENT |
| MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WESTERN CLUB FOUNDATION | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | ROOF REPLACEMENT FUND |
| HOPE CENTER OF EDMOND | EDMOND, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT EDMOND COMMUNITY FAMILIES |
| CITY RESCUE MISSION | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | ONGOING EXPENSES WITH THE GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| PEPPERS RANCH FOSTER COMMUNITY | GUTHRIE, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | DONOR FIN 3 YR PLEDGE TO SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND PROGRAMS |
| FREE TO LIVE ANIMAL SANCTUARY | EDMOND, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BLOWING ROCK CHARITY HORSE SHOW FDN | BLOWING ROCK, NC | $4,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE ANNUAL BLOWING ROCK CHARITY HORSE SHOW |
| KENTUCKY HORSE PARK FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $2,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE MAN O'WAR SOCIETY AT KENTUCKY HORSE PK FDN |
| OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $2,500 | 2024 | DONOR FIN 3 YR PLEDGE TO SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND PROGRAMS |
| WOOLAROC MUSEUM & WILDLIFE PRESERVE | BARTLESVILLE, OK | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER FOUNDATION | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $2,000 | 2024 | FIVE YEAR PLEDGE FOR SUPPORT OF MUSEUM |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $1,227,000 | 2023 | ART GIFT TO MUSEUM |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $140,000 | 2023 | GRANT FOR CARL RUNGIUS CATALOGUE RAISONNE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $29,000 | 2023 | OLD BILL'S FUN RUN-SUPPORTS MULTIPLE CHARITIES IN JACKSON, WY |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON HOLE, WY | $16,100 | 2023 | LILLIAN GEMAR EDUCATION INTERNSHIP PLEDGE |
| SIDWELL FRIENDS | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPERVIA ENDOWED CHAIR FOR SPANISH & LATIN AMER STUDIES |
| MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2023 | AVA'S WISH FUND |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $10,000 | 2023 | UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS |
| INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE | YARMOUTH PORT, MA | $10,000 | 2023 | UKRAINE SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS |
| UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS-CHILDREN |
| CARE | MERRIFIELD, VA | $10,000 | 2023 | UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $10,000 | 2023 | UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS |
NEXUS EQUINE
$241,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$195,000ART GIFT TO MUSEUM
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$172,000GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATING FUND IN MEMORY OF BILL & JOFFA KERR
MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA
$172,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$140,000GRANT FOR CARL RUNGIUS CATALOGUE RAISONNE (9 YEAR PLEDGE)
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC
$25,000AUBREY M KERR SR. SCHOLARSHIP-OU LAW
TETON YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
TETON COUNTY LIBRARY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CLIMB - WYOMING
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC
$5,000ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT GENERAL CAPITAL FUND
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$1,000,000ART GIFT TO MUSEUM
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$156,000VARIOUS GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS
PROTEZ FOUNDATION
$51,000GRANT TO SUPPLY PROSTHETICS TO UKRAINIANS IN NEED
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION INC
$30,000ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT GENERAL CAPITAL FUND
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$27,000OLD BILL'S FUN RUN-SUPPORTS MULTIPLE CHARITIES IN JACKSON, WY
NEXUS EQUINE
$24,500GRANT OF $8225 FOR RITA'S EQUINE ANGEL FUND & $1775 FOR ANIMAL CARE SUPPLIES, GOLF INVITATIONAL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ANIMAL CARE
EDMOND MOBILE MEALS
$17,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CLIMB - WYOMING
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TETON YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
TETON COUNTY LIBRARY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
JESUS HOUSE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CLEATS FOR KIDS
$10,000PROVIDE ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR & EQUIPMENT TO UNDERPRIVILEDGED YOUTH
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL OPERATING FUND
HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUND FOR THE WILDFIRES ON MAUI
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$6,500ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO HELP PROTECT ENVIRONMENT
MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
WESTERN CLUB FOUNDATION
$5,000ROOF REPLACEMENT FUND
HOPE CENTER OF EDMOND
$5,000SUPPORT EDMOND COMMUNITY FAMILIES
CITY RESCUE MISSION
$5,000ONGOING EXPENSES WITH THE GENERAL OPERATING FUND
PEPPERS RANCH FOSTER COMMUNITY
$5,000DONOR FIN 3 YR PLEDGE TO SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND PROGRAMS
FREE TO LIVE ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
BLOWING ROCK CHARITY HORSE SHOW FDN
$4,000SUPPORT THE ANNUAL BLOWING ROCK CHARITY HORSE SHOW
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK FOUNDATION
$2,500SUPPORT THE MAN O'WAR SOCIETY AT KENTUCKY HORSE PK FDN
OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY
$2,500DONOR FIN 3 YR PLEDGE TO SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND PROGRAMS
WOOLAROC MUSEUM & WILDLIFE PRESERVE
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$2,000FIVE YEAR PLEDGE FOR SUPPORT OF MUSEUM
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$1,227,000ART GIFT TO MUSEUM
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$140,000GRANT FOR CARL RUNGIUS CATALOGUE RAISONNE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$29,000OLD BILL'S FUN RUN-SUPPORTS MULTIPLE CHARITIES IN JACKSON, WY
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$16,100LILLIAN GEMAR EDUCATION INTERNSHIP PLEDGE
SIDWELL FRIENDS
$15,000SUPERVIA ENDOWED CHAIR FOR SPANISH & LATIN AMER STUDIES
MAKE-A-WISH OKLAHOMA
$10,000AVA'S WISH FUND
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$10,000UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
$10,000UKRAINE SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS
UNICEF
$10,000UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS-CHILDREN
CARE
$10,000UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS