The William S Smith Charitable Trust concentrates large, place-based gifts in the Tulsa area that fund capital projects, program endowments and signature community services. Their giving centers on outdoor recreation and youth (notably bicycling programs), zoological conservation and expansion, cultural institution capital campaigns, and elder services — often through multi-year or repeat grants to the same local organizations.
The William S Smith Charitable Trust has backed Tulsa-area institutions with large, repeated commitments that often land in capital campaigns and named endowments. A defining thread is its support for youth recreation through Humble Sons Bike Company, including a $3,125,000 grant for Bikes for Tykes in 2024 and a $2,625,000 grant for a new building in 2025. The trust also makes major multi-year commitments to civic and cultural projects, including Gilcrease Museum’s new building pledge in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Tulsa Zoo Management Inc. for elephant and African Wilds work across multiple years. Beyond those flagship gifts, the trust has supported senior services, the YMCA, food access, and local education and health-related campus projects. Its pattern suggests a funder that favors substantial, place-based support for organizations with visible facilities, long timelines, and community-facing services.
Youth recreation is one of the clearest themes in the trust’s giving. In 2024, it gave $3,125,000 to Humble Sons Bike Company for Bikes for Tykes, followed by $2,625,000 in 2025 for a new building. Cultural and civic infrastructure is another recurring area: Gilcrease Museum received $1,125,000 in 2024 for a new building pledge and another $1,125,000 in 2025 for the same purpose. The trust also supports animal and zoo work, including $1,600,000 to Tulsa Zoo Management Inc. for zoo grant elephant and African Wilds and $900,000 for African Wilds: carnivores. Community food and service programs appear as well, such as $225,000 to Food on the Move for campus phase one plus campus phase 2 and $252,000 to Tulsa Day Center for an animal shelter.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $50,000, the median is $225,000, and the 75th percentile is $429,166. The trust’s recent grants show repeated support for the same organizations over multiple years, especially Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Zoo Management Inc., Life Senior Services, the YMCA, Riverfield Country Day School, United Way, and Food on the Move. That repetition points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The pattern also leans toward project-specific and capital-oriented support, with many grants tied to buildings, pledges, campaigns, or named funds. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$7.9M
$77.4M
$6.4M
$8.6M
Most grants fall between $50K and $429K, with a median of $225K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$225K
75th Percentile
$429K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in OK.
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Highly concentrated, large-dollar grants (several multi-million gifts) focused on a small number of repeat local grantees; emphasis on capital projects and endowed/program funds rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: Humble Sons Bike Company, Tulsa Zoo Management Inc, Gilcrease Museum, Life Senior Services, United Way
Giving is highly concentrated in Oklahoma, with 100% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state and OK also ranking first by grant count. Most recipients are in Tulsa, including Tulsa Zoo Management Inc., Life Senior Services, Gilcrease Museum, United Way, the YMCA, Tulsa Community Foundation, and Tulsa Day Center. A smaller number of grants go outside Tulsa but remain in-state, including Humble Sons Bike Company in Broken Arrow, Pathways Adult Learning Center in Tulsa County, Willow Springs Boys Ranch in Chandler, and OSU Foundation in Tulsa.
Its recent grants center on capital projects, campus expansion, named funds, and community services. Examples include zoo exhibit work, museum building pledges, senior services endowments, youth recreation, food access, and local education-related construction.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Zoo Management Inc., Life Senior Services, the YMCA, Riverfield Country Day School, United Way, and Food on the Move. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
The grant-size distribution is substantial: the 25th percentile is $50,000, the median is $225,000, and the 75th percentile is $429,166. Recent awards also include several seven-figure grants, including multi-year commitments to major local projects.
Its giving is local and entirely in Oklahoma. The recent-grants list shows 100% of grants to recipients in the state, with many awards going to Tulsa-based organizations and a smaller number to nearby Oklahoma cities such as Broken Arrow and Chandler.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY | BROKEN ARROW, OK | $2,625,000 | 2025 | NEW BUILDING |
| GILCREASE MUSEUM | TULSA, OK | $1,125,000 | 2025 | NEW BUILDING PLEDGE |
| UNITED WAY | TULSA, OK | $925,000 | 2025 | 2024 CAMPAIGNS |
| TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC | TULSA, OK | $640,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL PROJECT SUPPORT; AFRICAN WILDS: CARNIVORES PROGRAM |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $500,000 | 2025 | ZARROW BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| LIFE SENIOR SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $458,333 | 2025 | WILLIAM S SMITH GARDENS FUND |
| RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | TULSA, OK | $400,000 | 2025 | INSPIRED CAMPAIGN |
| TULSA DAY CENTER | TULSA, OK | $252,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| FOOD ON THE MOVE | TULSA, OK | $225,000 | 2025 | CAMPUS PHASE ONE + CAMPUS PHASE 2 |
| PATHWAYS ADULT LEARNING CENTER | TULSA, OK | $166,667 | 2025 | NEW BUILDING PROJECT |
| WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH | CHANDLER, OK | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS |
| OSU FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $125,000 | 2025 | OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND |
| FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $75,000 | 2025 | WOMEN IN RECOVERY |
| GENESYS WORKS TULSA | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 SUMMER MEALS INITIATIVE |
| OKLAHOMA ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| REVITALIZE T-TOWN | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| KENDALL WHITTIER INC | TULSA, OK | $10,000 | 2025 | FOOD SUPPORT |
| HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY | BROKEN ARROW, OK | $3,125,000 | 2024 | BIKES FOR TYKES |
| TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC | TULSA, OK | $1,600,000 | 2024 | ZOO GRANT ELEPHANT AND AFRICAN WILDS |
| LIFE SENIOR SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $1,333,333 | 2024 | WILLIAM S SMITH GARDENS FUND |
| GILCREASE MUSEUM | TULSA, OK | $1,125,000 | 2024 | NEW BUILDING PLEDGE |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $500,000 | 2024 | ZARROW BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | TULSA, OK | $400,000 | 2024 | INSPIRED CAMPAIGN |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $400,000 | 2024 | WESTSIDE |
| TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $275,000 | 2024 | A GATHERING PLACE FOR TULSA |
| UNITED WAY | TULSA, OK | $250,000 | 2024 | 2023 CAMPAIGN GET TO GOAL MATCHING PLEDGE |
| FOOD ON THE MOVE | TULSA, OK | $225,000 | 2024 | CAMPUS PHASE ONE + CAMPUS PHASE 2 |
| OSU FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $125,000 | 2024 | OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $100,000 | 2024 | 2023 THIS IS Y! CAMPAIGN PLEDGE |
| FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $75,000 | 2024 | WOMEN IN RECOVERY |
| REVITALIZE T-TOWN | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| GENESYS WORKS TULSA | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | TULSA, OK | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $15,000 | 2024 | TULSA SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH | CHANDLER, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC | TULSA, OK | $900,000 | 2023 | AFRICAN WILDS: CARNIVORES |
| GILCREASE MUSEUM | TULSA, OK | $500,000 | 2023 | NEW BUILDING PLEDGE |
| RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | TULSA, OK | $400,000 | 2023 | INSPIRED CAMPAIGN |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $400,000 | 2023 | WESTSIDE PLEDGE CONTRIBUTION |
| LIFE SENIOR SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $333,333 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $275,000 | 2023 | A GATHERING PLACE FOR TULSA |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $250,000 | 2023 | EAST CENTRAL PLEDGE AND MATCH CONTRIBUTION |
| OSU FOUNDATION | TULSA, OK | $125,000 | 2023 | OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND |
| HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY | BROKEN ARROW, OK | $100,000 | 2023 | BIKE CLUB - TRAIL PROJECTS & OPERATIONS |
| FOOD ON THE MOVE | TULSA, OK | $100,000 | 2023 | TULSA FOOD HOME |
| FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2023 | DONATION - WOMEN IN RECOVERY |
| YMCA | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2023 | FOREVER IN SERVICE ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN |
| REVITALIZE T-TOWN | TULSA, OK | $50,000 | 2023 | DONATION - GENERAL FUND |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $30,000 | 2023 | ELEVATOR REPAIR GRANT |
HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY
$2,625,000NEW BUILDING
GILCREASE MUSEUM
$1,125,000NEW BUILDING PLEDGE
UNITED WAY
$925,0002024 CAMPAIGNS
TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC
$640,000OPERATIONAL PROJECT SUPPORT; AFRICAN WILDS: CARNIVORES PROGRAM
YMCA
$500,000ZARROW BUILDING CAMPAIGN
LIFE SENIOR SERVICES
$458,333WILLIAM S SMITH GARDENS FUND
RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$400,000INSPIRED CAMPAIGN
TULSA DAY CENTER
$252,000ANIMAL SHELTER
FOOD ON THE MOVE
$225,000CAMPUS PHASE ONE + CAMPUS PHASE 2
PATHWAYS ADULT LEARNING CENTER
$166,667NEW BUILDING PROJECT
WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH
$150,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
OSU FOUNDATION
$125,000OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND
FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
$75,000WOMEN IN RECOVERY
GENESYS WORKS TULSA
$50,000GENERAL FUND
FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA
$50,0002024 SUMMER MEALS INITIATIVE
OKLAHOMA ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOUNDATION
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
REVITALIZE T-TOWN
$50,000GENERAL FUND
KENDALL WHITTIER INC
$10,000FOOD SUPPORT
HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY
$3,125,000BIKES FOR TYKES
TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC
$1,600,000ZOO GRANT ELEPHANT AND AFRICAN WILDS
LIFE SENIOR SERVICES
$1,333,333WILLIAM S SMITH GARDENS FUND
GILCREASE MUSEUM
$1,125,000NEW BUILDING PLEDGE
YMCA
$500,000ZARROW BUILDING CAMPAIGN
RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$400,000INSPIRED CAMPAIGN
YMCA
$400,000WESTSIDE
TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$275,000A GATHERING PLACE FOR TULSA
UNITED WAY
$250,0002023 CAMPAIGN GET TO GOAL MATCHING PLEDGE
FOOD ON THE MOVE
$225,000CAMPUS PHASE ONE + CAMPUS PHASE 2
OSU FOUNDATION
$125,000OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND
YMCA
$100,0002023 THIS IS Y! CAMPAIGN PLEDGE
FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
$75,000WOMEN IN RECOVERY
REVITALIZE T-TOWN
$50,000GENERAL FUND
GENESYS WORKS TULSA
$50,000GENERAL FUND
MEALS ON WHEELS
$25,000GENERAL FUND
FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION
$15,000TULSA SCHOLARSHIPS
WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH
$10,000GENERAL FUND
TULSA ZOO MANAGEMENT INC
$900,000AFRICAN WILDS: CARNIVORES
GILCREASE MUSEUM
$500,000NEW BUILDING PLEDGE
RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$400,000INSPIRED CAMPAIGN
YMCA
$400,000WESTSIDE PLEDGE CONTRIBUTION
LIFE SENIOR SERVICES
$333,333GENERAL FUND
TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$275,000A GATHERING PLACE FOR TULSA
YMCA
$250,000EAST CENTRAL PLEDGE AND MATCH CONTRIBUTION
OSU FOUNDATION
$125,000OSU ACADEMIC MEDICAL EXPANSION FUND
HUMBLE SONS BIKE COMPANY
$100,000BIKE CLUB - TRAIL PROJECTS & OPERATIONS
FOOD ON THE MOVE
$100,000TULSA FOOD HOME
FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
$50,000DONATION - WOMEN IN RECOVERY
YMCA
$50,000FOREVER IN SERVICE ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
REVITALIZE T-TOWN
$50,000DONATION - GENERAL FUND
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TULSA INC
$30,000ELEVATOR REPAIR GRANT