Lyon Foundation
Lyon Foundation is a private foundation based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It supports charitable, religious, and educational organizations and scientific research; its 2025 filing says it gives preference to the Bartlesville area.
Lyon Foundation at a glance
In short: Lyon Foundation gave $2.5M across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $61K), mostly in Oklahoma. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,485,097
- +6.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- -18.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $60,612
- +29.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,500
- Total assets
- $59,137,109
- +9.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (9 of 41, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lyon Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists John B. Kane as the contact, says to “see attached” for forms and materials, and states a preference for the Bartlesville area.
- Contact
Application contact: John B Kane
Mailing address: PO Box 546, Bartlesville, OK 74005
Phone: (918) 336-0066
Website: https://lyonsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lyon Foundation
Who Lyon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Oklahoma Wesleyan University ($605K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
218 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 161 grants of 218 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Oklahoma. The 2025 filing states a preference for the Bartlesville area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Lyon Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 41 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $71K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $17K repeat.
- 66% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.2M (2020) to $2.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, OK | General Support and New Softball Field | $605,000 |
| Bartlesville Community Foundation Bartlesville, OK | General Support | $369,150 |
| Friends of Kiddie Park Bartlesville, OK | Maintenance and Upkeep of Park | $265,000 |
| B the Light Bartlesville, OK | Remodel Facility | $169,200 |
| On the Rock Ministries Bartlesville, OK | General Support and Repairs | $136,443 |
| Boys & Girls Club Bartlesville, OK | General Support, New Tables, Building Repairs, Equipment Upgrades | $92,500 |
| Agape Mission Bartlesville, OK | General Support, New Flooring and 2025 Cargo Van | $83,045 |
| City Compassion Bartlesville, OK | Box Truck | $75,000 |
| Ray of Hope Advocacy Center Inc Bartlesville, OK | Repairs and Maintenance Projects | $69,300 |
| Salvation Army Bartlesville, OK | General Support and Purchase of 15 Passenger Bus | $68,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lyon Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,137,109 | $3,807,652 | $2,826,646 | $2,485,097 | 41 | $2,631,555 | $3,651,850 | $2,742,025 |
| 2024 | $54,072,637 | $2,952,903 | $2,676,826 | $2,334,876 | 50 | $2,471,611 | $2,777,688 | $2,631,447 |
| 2023 | $52,020,922 | $1,255,438 | $2,752,488 | $2,411,486 | 40 | $2,545,871 | $1,071,245 | $2,465,868 |
| 2022 | $48,417,514 | $1,774,844 | $2,843,238 | $2,484,023 | 45 | $2,608,570 | $1,540,350 | $2,530,670 |
| 2021 | $58,481,592 | $13,630,270 | $2,572,594 | $2,266,335 | 42 | $2,384,481 | $13,442,283 | $2,618,577 |
| 2020 | $53,405,857 | $1,599,999 | $2,446,440 | $2,170,375 | 40 | — | $1,441,047 | $2,371,171 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lyon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to aid public religious and charitable organizations, preparatory, vocational and technical schools, institutions of higher learning, and scientific research, and to support public charitable, religious, literary, educational, and scientific activities and institutions, hospitals, and other public agencies.
Its 2025 grants included organizations with varied missions. Oklahoma Wesleyan University describes itself as a Christian university that emphasizes study, faith, and liberal arts education. Bartlesville Community Foundation says its mission is “to provide a simple way to do good works.” On the Rock Ministries says it offers community activities for Christian growth, including recreation, tutoring, and mentoring. Ray of Hope Advocacy Center says it coordinates community responses to abuse and supports children and families affected by abuse. Other 2025 recipients included organizations whose stated missions involve autism services, music programming, cancer support, and end-of-life care.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 41 grants totaling $2,485,097. Awards ranged from $2,000 to $605,000, with a median grant of $15,500. Among the largest were $605,000 to Oklahoma Wesleyan University for general support and a new softball field; $369,150 to Bartlesville Community Foundation for general support; $265,000 to Friends of Kiddie Park for park maintenance and upkeep; and $169,200 to B the Light for a facility remodel. Other sizable grants included $136,443 to On the Rock Ministries for general support and repairs, and $92,500 to Boys & Girls Club for general support and facility and equipment needs.
The foundation’s program guidelines say proposals generally need to describe objectives, the program for pursuing them, and a detailed budget and other funding sources. The guidelines say grants are not provided for ongoing operational expenses, existing debts, or scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John B. Kane as president/manager; Mark A. Myers as vice president; Glenn Bonner as treasurer; David King as assistant secretary; and Spencer King as secretary. It also lists Thomas Janer and John J. Kane as directors.
Lyon Foundation is led by John B. Kane, Director, President & Manager since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John B. Kane
Director, President & Manager
President & Manager → Director, President & Manager, 2025
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$72K (2021) → $72K (2025)
Thomas Janer
Director
Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2021
Assistant Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David King
Assistant Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Bonner
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark A. Myers
Vice President
Assistant Secretary → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Spencer King
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Bruce W. Robinett (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Walter Allison (2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $72K, to John B Kane (President/Manager).
Frequently asked questions about Lyon Foundation
How much does Lyon Foundation give each year?
Lyon Foundation gave $2.5M across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.3M across 50 grants.
What is Lyon Foundation's typical grant size?
Lyon Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,500, and its average grant was $60,612, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lyon Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does Lyon Foundation give grants?
Lyon Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bartlesville, OK (35 grants) and Dewey, OK (2 grants).
Does Lyon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of Lyon Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (29 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lyon Foundation's largest grantees?
Lyon Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Oklahoma Wesleyan University ($605,000), Bartlesville Community Foundation ($369,150) and Friends of Kiddie Park ($265,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lyon Foundation?
Lyon Foundation reported $59.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Lyon Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to aid public religious and charitable organizations, preparatory, vocational and technical schools, institutions of higher learning, and scientific research, and to support public charitable, religious, literary, educational, and scientific activities and institutions, hospitals, and other public agencies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lyon Foundation?
The 2025 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lyon Foundation's EIN?
Lyon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7299980. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 19, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 21, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lyon Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lyon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lyon-foundation-morg_f0ca6fbaaf994853baa0921c2879de5e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237299980_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lyon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lyon-foundation-morg_f0ca6fbaaf994853baa0921c2879de5e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lyon Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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