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George Kaiser Family Foundation

EIN 73-1574370 · Tulsa, OK

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The George Kaiser Family Foundation ("GKFF") is organized for the specific and primary purpose of benefiting, performing the functions of, or carrying out the purpose of that class of publicly supported organizations, including Tulsa Community Foundation, that are described in Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that engage in charitable activities which are consistent with the charitable purposes of Tulsa Community Foundation. George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) is a charitable organization based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The foundation is a Type I supporting organization of the Tulsa Community Foundation as described in IRC Section 509(a)(3). The foundation is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement.

Income
$549.7 million
Spending
$274.0 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
561
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$1.1 million, chief inv. off.-private markets

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (8)
  1. $55.8 million spent. Tulsa Community Foundation - Direct Support of Tulsa Community Foundation, the supported organization, and other directly related entities.
  2. $46.6 million spent. Civic enhancement projects benefitting the citizens of Tulsa. This includes legacy programs Root Guides LLC, Tulsa Innovation Labs LLC, Tulsa Remote, ADPM, American Song Archives, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, InTulsa Initiative, Invest NorthTulsa, and Build in Tulsa.
  3. $28.0 million spent. Indirect support of Tulsa Community Foundation, through direct support of charitable organizations that engage in charitable activities which are consistent with the charitable purposes of Tulsa Community Foundation, as well as government sponsored life enhancement projects. Includes social services support and community health initiatives.
  4. $11.2 million spent. Salaries and Benefits related to Program Services
  5. $15.1 million spent. Urban growth and renewal programs directly benefiting the citizens of Tulsa. Including NP36 and West Park.
  6. $13.0 million spent. Educational initiatives including GKFF BEST and Atlas School.
  7. $4.6 million spent. Gathering Place Operational Expenses
  8. $247,500 spent. Legislative relations supporting early childhood education initiatives.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.