About The Hispanic American Foundation

Founded in 1990 and celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2020, the Hispanic American Foundation of Tulsa is dedicated to the preservation, appreciation and promotion of Hispanic culture through scholarships, grants and the presentation of cultural programs. 

The Foundation operates with a fully volunteer Board of Directors.

Board of Directors
Jeff Merwin, Chair
Pedro Mari, President
Cathy Campbell, Vice-President
Ismael Martinez, Vice-President
Rodrigo Rojas, Vice-President
Rosa M. Harris, Vice-President
Martha Zapata, Ph.D., Secretary
Thomas Bueno, Treasurer

In Memoriam
Frederick A. Bendana
Harold Charney
Sylvia Morgan
Tucky Roger
Denny Saunders
Phil Wood
Jose Medina, M.D.
Luis A. Reinoso, M.D.

HAF was established as a nonprofit organization operating under IRS Rule 501(c)3, and donations made to the organization are bound by the rules which govern nonprofit giving. These are deductible to the extent of the law. 

The Board of Directors along with its Trustees and Advisors guide the organization in fulfilling its mission.

Board of Trustees
Rebecca Marks-Jimerson
Pablo Lugo
Vicky Porto
Ivan Herrera
Clarita Murphree
Amairani Perez
Monica Tola
Heather Buffington
Jon McGrath
Cristi Freudenrich, Ph.D.

Board of Advisors
Ron Brown
Julio Cuadra, M.D.
Franz Moncada, M.D.
Nilda Reyes, Ed. D.
Ben T. Windham
Mimi Rice 

The Hispanic population in Tulsa County is growing with more than 85,000 people (approximately 13%) in Tulsa County identify as Hispanic or Latino. Most (10.2%) are of Mexican heritage, with 0.7% and 0.3% having Puerta Rican and Cuban heritage respectively (American Community Survey, 2018). 

This growth has increased the number of Hispanic students, and over the next seven years, Hispanic student enrollment will outpace all other ethnic groups in grades 9 to 12.

Higher graduation rates also have increased matriculation rates into college. Many Hispanic students are first-generation college students from lower-income families (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities Legislative Report, April 2020), and these students have financial barriers which may limit their post-secondary educational opportunities. 

At the forefront of the HAF mission is education. 

Helping students overcome financial barriers to education is at the heart of the HAF mission. Almost 75% of HAF’s annual budget is earmarked for education-related scholarships. You can make a difference.