On Track to Leave Long-term Impact

For a nonprofit’s leadership, worrying about their organization’s financial sustainability can be a constant struggle. What many don’t realize is the answer to long-term support can be as easy as creating an endowment fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

As a trustee of the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Drake Rice was part of that conversation.

I was looking at other groups that had worked with the Community Foundation, and we felt like this would be the best fit for our mission.

Rice said the availability of matching funds through the Kirkpatrick Family Fund Endowment Matching Program was another factor that influenced the board’s decision to establish their endowment in 2004 and kick-started his own charitable journey.

At first, it was just a check to help meet the museum’s match. Then, I realized that an occasional check was really helpful to the fund’s growth.

That’s why Rice opted for an automated monthly donation to the Oklahoma Railway Museum endowment fund, ensuring his passion for railway history and preservation continues for future generations.

The OCCF staff has made it very easy to set up a monthly contribution,” he said. “I would encourage others to consider giving on a routine basis. It’s not only good for the organization, it also makes you a part of something bigger than you could ever accomplish on your own.

And best of all, the Oklahoma Railway Museum’s collection and preservation of artifacts reflecting the heritage of railroad and street rail transportation in Oklahoma will be supported for many decades to come.

Photo Credit: Brandon Snyder

Caption: Drake Rice, Oklahoma Railway Museum board member, walking the museum grounds.