News Release
For Immediate Release: Sept. 28, 2026

New Foundation seeks to build long-term philanthropic support for Comanche culture, youth, elders, veterans and education

LAWTON, Okla. — The Board of Directors for the Comanche Nation Tʉitua Foundation announced the public launch of the organization today and kicked off its inaugural fundraising campaign.

Inspired by the Comanche value of tʉitua — “help” — the Foundation will focus on supporting programs in five core areas: elders, youth, education, veterans, and cultural preservation and advancement, including the Comanche language, heritage and traditions. The Tʉitua Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Comanche Nation.

“This is a landmark moment for the Comanche Nation,” said Laura Harris, President of the Board of Directors. “The Tʉitua Foundation represents an investment in generations of Comanches — those who came before us, those who are here today and those who will come after us.”

The idea for an official charitable foundation grew from a desire by Comanche leadership to establish a more sustainable source of support for the Nation’s community and cultural programs.

In 2025, the Comanche Tribal Council authorized the establishment of a charitable foundation. The original resolution specifically outlined a goal of building an endowment so that earnings generated by the endowment could fund future distributions and ensure consistent, long-term giving.

“Building an endowment takes time, but its impact can be significant,” said Forrest Tahdooahnippah, Chairman of the Comanche Nation and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Instead of fundraising and immediately giving away those funds, money is invested and allowed to earn interest. Over time, the endowment will grow. The Foundation will then use the interest to fund programming. This means we will be able to provide funding year after year, generation after generation. But you have to grow roots before you harvest fruit. Our responsibility now is to make those roots strong.”

The Comanche Business Committee formally created the Comanche Nation Tʉitua Foundation on Dec. 6, 2025,under the Comanche Nation Nonprofit Code. The new organization incorporated with the Comanche Tax Commission on Dec. 29, 2025.

The inaugural Board of Directors was unanimously approved by the CBC. The board brings together experienced community leaders with a range of backgrounds and strong connections to the Comanche Nation and surrounding community. The Board includes:

  • Laura Harris, President (Comanche)
  • Baliente Herrera, Vice President (Comanche)
  • Brian Henry, Treasurer
  • Asa Attocknie, Secretary (Comanche)
  • Jhane Myers, Chair of the Development and Fundraising Committee (Comanche)
  • Albert Johnson Jr.
  • Jennifer Meason
  • Joe Dorman
  • Gary Harrington (Comanche)
  • Ryland Rivas (Comanche)
  • Forrest Tahdooahnippah (the Chairman of the Comanche Nation has a seat on the Board – Comanche)
  • Roxie Tenequer, associate member (Comanche)
  • Shannon Wilmeth, associate member (Comanche)

Throughout 2026, the new board, along with Executive Director Adam Calaway, developed policies and procedures to ensure fiduciary oversight and stewardship of the Foundation as it builds its endowment and develops long-term philanthropic partnerships.

“We believed it was important to build an organization responsibly before asking the public to invest in it,” Harris said. “That meant putting governance, accountability and policies in place, establishing a strong board and completing the federal tax-exemption process. We want every donor — whether they give $5 or $5 million — to know that Tʉitua was built with stewardship and transparency in mind.”

During the spring of 2026, the Foundation completed the process necessary to obtain federal recognition as a tax-exempt charitable organization. The Foundation received its determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service in May, officially recognizing the Tʉitua Foundation as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

The determination is an important milestone because it provides federal recognition of the Foundation’s charitable status and allows eligible charitable contributions to the Foundation to be tax-deductible under federal law.

With its organizational structure and tax-exempt status in place, the Tʉitua Foundation is now inviting the public to become part of its inaugural fundraising campaign: Your Gift. Your Nation. Your Legacy.

The campaign is also intended to introduce the Tʉitua Foundation to businesses, philanthropic organizations and private donors that may not previously have had a direct charitable avenue for investing in the Comanche Nation.

“Philanthropy is ultimately about deciding what we want to endure,” Harris said. “A donor to this inaugural campaign is not simply making a contribution. That person, family or business is helping build an institution that we intend to be here for generations.”

The campaign also introduces the concept that the Comanche Nation’s legacy, heritage and culture are entwined with the story of all Oklahomans and all Americans.

“Every gift represents someone saying that Comanche culture, Comanche people and the future of the Nation matter, not just to Comanches, but to all of us,” Tahdooahnippah said. “Together, we can create opportunities for today while preserving what generations before us entrusted to our care.”

For more information about the Foundation’s mission and programs, visit www.tuitua.org. Supporters can make a secure contribution at www.tuitua.org.

Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in making a gift, discussing a corporate or philanthropic partnership, or learning more about the Foundation may also contact:

Adam Calaway
Executive Director
Comanche Nation Tʉitua Foundation
(580) 678-0506