Strategy

Investing in pathways to economic mobility  

The Ruth Nelson Family Foundation is dedicated to creating economic mobility for Tulsans. To do so, we plan to employ multiple mechanisms of giving by investing in strong nonprofit partners and allocating resources directly to families. We believe philanthropy can and should serve as risk capital.  We know that sustained support for day-to-day operations, organizational development, and capacity building are foundational to any nonprofit’s effectiveness and resiliency.

We aim to:

Support new and emerging solutions

Back bold ideas

Sustain and scale community-driven innovations

A young child in a red outfit rides a tricycle on a circular concrete path with directional arrows at a playground

We are guided by the principles of trust-based philanthropy and, just as Ruth did, we aim to reduce barriers, share power, and build relationships grounded in dignity, transparency, and mutual accountability. 

A smiling child holds up clay-covered hands during a hands-on Discovery Lab activity while wearing a purple apron

Spending every dollar by 2038

Our founder chose to have the Foundation spend all of our assets by 2038. By doing so, it allows us to respond to urgent needs while also making lasting change alongside the Tulsa community.