LP profile · Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation is a foundation headquartered in United States (North America). Ranked #305 in the 2026 Dealroom Power Law LP Ranking by realised power-law score across its venture commitments.
Historical Background
- The George Kaiser Family Foundation was established in 1999 by George B. Kaiser, a Tulsa-based businessman who built his wealth in the oil and gas and banking industries.
- The foundation was created with the guiding principle of addressing developmental inequalities, believing that every child deserves an equal opportunity for success.
- A significant early initiative was the creation of the Tulsa Community Foundation in 1998, which works in concert with GKFF on various local philanthropic efforts.
Source of Capital
- The foundation's capital originates from the personal wealth of its founder, George B. Kaiser.
- The endowment is primarily funded by assets derived from Kaiser's business activities, including the Kaiser-Francis Oil Company and the Bank of Oklahoma.
Major Events
- In 2009, the foundation made a significant investment of $340 million in the solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, which later declared bankruptcy.
- GKFF was the primary benefactor for the creation of Gathering Place, a large public park built on nearly 100 acres of Tulsa's riverfront, which opened in 2018.
Allocation Strategy
- The foundation's grantmaking is heavily concentrated on early childhood education, social services, and civic enhancement projects.
- Geographically, the foundation's efforts are intensely focused on Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the surrounding region.
- GKFF's investment approach is noted for its direct community impact, including providing venture capital to companies that agree to relocate operations to Tulsa through its Tulsa Innovation Labs initiative.