Tulsa, a city with a deep-rooted history of innovation and community building, is now home to a new institution for impact: The Frater Family Foundation. Founded by entrepreneur and investor Darrel Frater and his wife, Roselly Frater, the foundation is dedicated to advancing economic mobility, philanthropy, and community development—both in Tulsa and beyond. With a mission to uplift individuals, businesses, and families, the foundation will provide capital and essential resources to fuel opportunities that drive human prosperity.
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
We recently sat down with Darrel Frater to explore the inspiration and vision behind The Frater Family Foundation. Co-founded with his wife, Roselly Frater, the foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of their family office, built on four core pillars: Investing, Philanthropy, Ministry, and Advisory—each dedicated to advancing human prosperity. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Darrel shared,
“I understand firsthand the challenges that come with building something from the ground up. The highs, the lows, and the moments of uncertainty have given me a deep sense of empathy for other founders and leaders.”
This experience has shaped the foundation’s mission to empower individuals and families by fostering generational wealth, expanding access to opportunities, and strengthening faith. Through intentional action and strategic support, The Frater Family Foundation is committed to creating lasting change.
Building a Legacy of Change
In its first year, The Frater Family Foundation is focused on laying a strong foundation for its mission. This includes forging key partnerships, structuring operations, and raising awareness about the vital role family offices play in driving generational impact. By sharing their journey openly, the Fraters hope to inspire others to take action and create meaningful change within their own communities.
Tulsa: A City of Opportunity
Tulsa is more than just a city—it’s a thriving ecosystem where entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers unite around a shared vision. When Darrel and Roselly first visited Tulsa in August 2021, they were struck by the community’s collective commitment to making it a place where anyone can build generational wealth.
Two years later, following the birth of their daughter, Gianna, Darrel and Roselly decided to make Tulsa their home. Since then, they’ve embarked on an incredible journey—finding community, building meaningful friendships, and becoming part of an ecosystem that truly supports entrepreneurship and wealth creation
A Commitment to Impactful Investing
The Frater Family Foundation’s investment philosophy is rooted in a commitment to human prosperity. They seek opportunities that drive economic mobility—whether through job creation, financial access, or wealth-building initiatives. While strong financial returns are important, the foundation prioritizes businesses that create a clear, measurable impact on the communities they serve. Their focus remains on investments that generate meaningful, lasting change.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Foundation
As the foundation grows, its first major initiative will be launching an advisory practice to support founders, fund managers, non-profits, and family offices. Once fully structured, this practice will provide strategic guidance while generating revenue to fuel the foundation’s investment activities. In turn, the returns from these investments will help fund philanthropic and ministry efforts, creating a sustainable, impact-driven model.
By reinvesting in the community, the foundation aims to create a ripple effect—driving economic mobility and fostering long-term success for individuals and families.
Strengthening Communities Through Collaboration
To maximize its impact, The Frater Family Foundation recognizes that collaboration is essential. Darrel emphasized this, stating
"We want to meet and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about economic mobility and wealth creation. The more we align efforts and share resources, the greater impact we can make together."
Tulsa’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, strengthened by dedicated leaders like Isaiah Coleman, Founding Director of CDFI Friendly Tulsa, and Dr. Ray A. Owens, Senior Pastor at The Metropolitan Baptist Church of Tulsa and Founder of the Met Cares Foundation, provides the ideal environment for this vision to take root. By forming strategic partnerships and leveraging collective resources, the foundation and its collaborators can significantly expand their impact—creating economic opportunities that reach far beyond Tulsa’s borders. Together, they strive to build a future where prosperity is within everyone’s reach.
Moving Forward: Creating Lasting Impact
At the heart of The Frater Family Foundation’s mission is a simple yet powerful belief: the most successful businesses are those that are committed to serving others. Companies that solve real problems and bring tangible value to people’s lives are the ones that truly thrive. With a service-driven mindset, success naturally follows—whether in customer relationships, partnerships, or financial growth. For Darrel and Roselly, Tulsa is more than just a city—it’s a place of opportunity, resilience, and limitless possibilities. It’s a community where dreamers, creators, and visionaries come together to drive meaningful change.Through The Frater Family Foundation, they are not only investing in businesses but also in the hopes and dreams of those working to build a better future. As their journey continues, one thing remains certain: their impact will extend far beyond Tulsa, creating lasting change in lives and communities for generations to come.