Celebrating our 50th Anniversary

Dear Friends,

2019 was a year of great celebration! Since the Oklahoma City Community Foundation started in 1969, donors have been incredibly generous with their contributions that have built the endowments that support the charitable efforts throughout our community. We wanted to celebrate these gifts with the whole community and give back in a way that was meaningful, permanent and fun. In January, we announced the recipients of The Great Idea Challenge grants. More than $1 million was awarded to six organizations for programs that are new to the community and will have a lasting impact, much like the Community Foundation was in 1969.

In March, our past and current Trustees gathered for a celebratory dinner, highlighting the contributions of the 68 men and women who have served as Trustees and leaders of our organization throughout the years. John Kirkpatrick was our founder, but the commitment and passion of our leaders ensured the success of his idea.

In May, we dedicated the Oklahoma City Community Foundation River Trail and planted 800 trees along a 3.5-mile stretch of the pedestrian trail on the north side of the Oklahoma River. The trees, wildflowers and benches are a permanent gift with lasting impact for the community. In June, we offered continuing professional education programs to two important constituencies: professional advisors and high school guidance counselors. Both of these groups are instrumental in the development and delivery of our programs and services.

In September and October, we hosted an interactive art project, the Musical Swings. More than 40,000 children and adults enjoyed a wonderful experience of music, cooperation and laughter in Bicentennial Park at the Civic Center. We were amazed at the participation and joy that this project generated for the whole community.

We finished the year celebrating with the charities that participate in our Charitable Organization Endowment program, hosting a 1969-era themed party for the annual check and report distribution. This program really is a hallmark of our growth and now involves more than 350 charitable groups.

Throughout the year, a series of television and radio commercials and social media campaigns reminded the community of both the history and the breadth of the Community Foundation’s impact and role. We have also created an online archive that will allow the stories of so many of our donors to be accessible to the public for years to come.

This year’s celebration has ignited a new excitement among our Trustees, staff and the Oklahoma City community. We are launching the next 50 years on a great wave of awareness and opportunity. We continue to be appreciative of the donors with whom we work and the charities that provide the services that we support. We look forward to implementing new ideas and programs that will move our community forward into the future.