American Fidelity Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The American Fidelity Foundation supports education, health, arts and culture, civic causes and economic development in Oklahoma and other places where the company does business.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, health, arts and culture, civic causes, economic development
IP TAKE: Even though this is a big national company, many of its foundation grants still stay close to home to support nonprofits in Oklahoma City near the company’s headquarters.
PROFILE: Established in 1985, the American Fidelity Foundation (AFF) is a corporate foundation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is the charitable arm of the American Fidelity company and used as a tool to help communities where employees live. AFF was originally called the American Fidelity Founders’ Fund and changed its name in 2007. The foundation carries on the legacy of giving of C.W. and C.B. Cameron, a father-on duo who founded this company in 1960. The company is one of the largest private, family-owned health insurance and life insurance companies in the U.S. today. It funds local efforts for education, health, arts and culture, civic causes and economic development.
The American Fidelity Foundation funds education initiatives that range from early childhood programs through university instruction. Health and welfare grants mostly go to local United Way organizations. AFF’s arts and culture support goes to Allied Arts and individual arts organizations near company operations. The funder also commonly provides grants for civic and economic development projects that help local communities prosper. However, AFF does not award grants for capital campaigns, private clubs, religious or political causes or travel expenses. The company hosts worksite giving campaigns each year to benefit Allied Arts and the United Way. It also awards matching grants to match employee donations, has a paid volunteer time program for employees, sponsors literacy programs, hosts a colleagues and family members’ event each fall called Famboree and partners with local groups, including the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Grants range between about $500 and $5,000. AFF awards approximately $1.5 million per year. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the Oklahoma City area and also other places where the company does business. Past local grantees include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Family Center for Autism and the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.
This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits. Upon receipt of a letter, AFF will confirm receipt and request additional information if it is interested in having an organization submit a full grant application. Letters of inquiry should include an organization overview, program summary, budget, amount of funding requested and contact information. These letters should be mailed to the staff in Oklahoma City. Direct general questions to the staff at 405-523-5811 or via online form.
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