About Us

Fully funded in 2003 through the will bequests of Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson, the Foundation funds non-profit organizations in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The Foundation gratefully recognizes the efforts and counsel of the family’s long-time attorney, R. Russell Rager, and accountant, Charles R. Batte III, in helping create the Foundation in 1963.

The Foundation has invested more than $70 million in nonprofit organizations to assist them in serving the most vulnerable with a focus on children and youth, seniors and people with disabilities.

Carl Anderson’s story is a classic “rags to riches” journey: he was born into a poor family in Naples, Oklahoma in 1911. One of 10 children, he dropped out of high school to earn money and help support his family.

He launched his transportation business with one truck hauling and laying pipeline. From those modest beginnings, the Anderson Corporation grew domestically across the country and internationally in Canada and South America.

Carl and Marie Jo Baker met through his business dealings. They married, had children and moved the family and business operations to New Mexico, and for a time in Arizona as well, to expand the business into uranium exploration and mining. Real estate, farming and commercial cattle ranching rounded out Carl and Marie Jo’s business and personal interests.

Marie Jo was small, but mighty. She created and managed a business breeding Arabian horses, was an expert gardener and a prolific orchid grower. Her strength, vision and compassion helped lay the groundwork for the Foundation.

Carl and Marie Jo had two daughters: Jennifer Jo Anderson Bird and Carroll Jane Anderson. By a prior marriage, Carl had two sons, Maxie Anderson and Carl Clay Anderson, Jr.