Nancy B. Anthony and Steven C. Agee
Dear Friends, 2019 was a year of great celebration! Since the Oklahoma
In September and October, we hosted an interactive art
City Community Foundation started in 1969, donors have
project, the Musical Swings. More than 40,000 children
been incredibly generous with their contributions that
and adults enjoyed a wonderful experience of music,
have built the endowments that support the charitable
cooperation and laughter in Bicentennial Park at the Civic
efforts throughout our community. We wanted to
Center. We were amazed at the participation and joy that
celebrate these gifts with the whole community and give
this project generated for the whole community.
back in a way that was meaningful, permanent and fun. We finished the year celebrating with the charities that In January, we announced the recipients of The Great
participate in our Charitable Organization Endowment
Idea Challenge grants. More than $1 million was awarded
program, hosting a 1969-era themed party for the annual
to six organizations for programs that are new to the
check and report distribution. This program really is a
community and will have a lasting impact, much like the
hallmark of our growth and now involves more than 350
Community Foundation was in 1969.
charitable groups.
In March, our past and current Trustees gathered for a
Throughout the year, a series of television and radio
celebratory dinner, highlighting the contributions of
commercials and social media campaigns reminded the
the 68 men and women who have served as Trustees and
community of both the history and the breadth of the
leaders of our organization throughout the years. John
Community Foundation’s impact and role. We have also
Kirkpatrick was our founder, but the commitment and
created an online archive that will allow the stories of
passion of our leaders ensured the success of his idea.
so many of our donors to be accessible to the public for years to come.
In May, we dedicated the Oklahoma City Community Foundation River Trail and planted 800 trees along a 3.5-
This year’s celebration has ignited a new excitement
mile stretch of the pedestrian trail on the north side of the
among our Trustees, staff and the Oklahoma City
Oklahoma River. The trees, wildflowers and benches are a
community. We are launching the next 50 years on a great
permanent gift with lasting impact for the community.
wave of awareness and opportunity. We continue to be appreciative of the donors with whom we work and the
In June, we offered continuing professional education
charities that provide the services that we support. We
programs to two important constituencies: professional
look forward to implementing new ideas and programs
advisors and high school guidance counselors. Both of
that will move our community forward into the future.
these groups are instrumental in the development and delivery of our programs and services. Nancy B. Anthony, President 4
Steven C. Agee, Trustee Chair Oklahoma City Community Foundation | Your Connection for Good
