Maxine & Jack Zarrow Family Foundation

Giving Highlights

In 1995, the Foundation initiated and funded the Zarrow Mental Health Symposium hosted by the Mental Health Association Oklahoma as a way to shine a light on the issue. It is now one of the largest and most respected gatherings of professionals in the field, hosting world-renowned speakers such as Dr. Walt Menninger, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and many other prominent champions. Today the annual symposium draws more than 850 people from throughout the nation.

With still greater support for the mentally ill and homeless, the Foundation took a leadership role in the 2009 capital campaign, “Building Tulsa Building Lives.” This unprecedented effort raised $23.7 million, engaged more than 30 Tulsa funders and partners, and produced 10 new supportive housing projects. More importantly, the campaign amplified the message that supportive housing is more effective and efficient than shelter, with a better success rate and three times less than the annual cost of shelter.

After the death of Maxine and Jack’s son, Scott Zarrow, who was diagnosed at a young age with ulcerative colitis, the Foundation funded groundbreaking work to improve and advance inflammatory bowel disease colonoscopy surveillance practices and testing related to Inflammatory Bowel Disorder.

In addition to health care efforts, the Maxine & Jack Zarrow Family Foundation supports a variety of cultural activities, including a decades-long, multi-generational commitment to the Gilcrease museum. Gilcrease is home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art of the American West. Since 1968, Maxine and Jack Zarrow have provided major underwriting for capital improvements, made generous gifts to the endowment, and enriched the museum’s collection through gifts of art from their own extensive collection.