Kirkpatrick Family Fund Matching Grant Program

In 1979, ten years after founding the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, John Kirkpatrick offered the first challenge match to 61 charitable organizations to engage a broad base of donors to support and help grow their endowment funds. This innovative approach raised nearly $740,000 from 170 individual donors. Today, more than forty years since the first challenge, this model program continues to empower donors to support more than 370 organization totaling an investment of more than $35 million.

In a typical year, more than 30 organizations will rise to the challenge of an endowment matching grant, setting their own goal and leveraging the match to invest in their future.

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick (2012.201.B0335.0207, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS)

John Kirkpatrick believed strongly in setting nonprofits up to drive their See current match opportunities: own financial success. In 1979, ten years after founding the Oklahoma matches.occf.org City Community Foundation, Mr. Kirkpatrick offered the first challenge match to 61 charitable organizations to engage a broad base of donors to support and help grow their endowment funds. This innovative approach raised nearly $740,000 from 170 individual donors. Today, more than forty years since the first challenge, this model program continues to empower donors to support more than 370 organizations totaling an investment of more than $35 million. In a typical year, more than 30 organizations will rise to the challenge of an endowment matching grant, setting their own goal and leveraging the match to invest in their future. The staff at OCCF provide resources and technical assistance and promote the matches to current donors and the public. square

Christian K. Keesee

Chairman, Kirkpatrick Family Fund My grandfather’s matching approach revolutionized the way charitable organizations raise donations in the modern age—attracting new donors and partners all seeking to create sustainable long-term growth for organizations across all sectors.”