Tom and Judy Love Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Tom and Judy Love Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and youth. It also funds select organizations in Oklahoma and beyond.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This is a good ally to know in the Oklahoma area, but note that it does not accept unsolicited applications, so grant seekers will need to network to get on this funder’s radar.
PROFILE: The Tom and Judy Love Foundation was established in 2013. It was founded by billionaire couple Tom and Judy Love of Oklahoma, behind Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. Born in Oklahoma City in 1937, Tom Love attended St. John's University in St. Cloud, served in the Marines and attended University of Oklahoma. Tom and Judy launched Musket Corporation with $5,000. In 1986, the company changed its name from Musket Corporation to Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. Over the next few decades, the business grew to include roadside-assistance hubs, fast-food franchises, hotels and a compressed natural gas-provider. The business has some 500 locations in dozens of states.
The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that the Tom and Judy Love Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and youth. It also funds select organizations in Oklahoma and beyond.
Grants for Education and Youth
The Loves steadily support University of Oklahoma, home to the Tom Love Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and the Tom Love Endowed Scholarship in Entrepreneurship. Philanthropy has also funded Price College, the Sam Noble Museum, President’s Associates and the Heart Rhythm Institute, among other OU outfits. Tom Love has also supported his school St. John's University.
Other grantees have included Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, Okmulgee Public Schools, Poynette School District, and Oklahoma City University.
Grants for Community Development
The Loves support select institutions in Oklahoma and other heartland states. Grantees have included American Heart Association, Meade Public Library Foundation, Nichols Hills Parks, Salvation Army, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The family also moves philanthropy through the Love Family Affiliated Fund of Oklahoma City Community Foundation, which has supported places like Access Sports, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City All Sports, and United Way of Central Oklahoma. While much of this giving takes place in Oklahoma, daughter Jenny chairs the board of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in Utah, another grantee.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $100 to $1.25 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.8 million. Past grantees include Oklahoma City University, Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The Tom and Judy Love Foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
The Ae Family Foundation
364 East Middle Patent Road
Greenwich, CT 06831
