Our History
Oilman and philanthropist John E. Kirkpatrick and eight fellow business leaders founded the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in 1969 as a place where donors could create easily create charitable endowments for the benefit of the community.
The group was spurred into action by the passage of the National Tax Reform Act of 1969 that imposed new restrictions on private foundations. As a result, the considerable tax advantages of contributing to a public community foundation made sense. Endowment funds created by donors could provide long-term support for charities, scholarships and a variety of community needs as well as a maximum tax benefit to the donor.
Designed to meet the test of time, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation was modeled after the Cleveland Foundation, one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country. From its beginning, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation has operated within a system of checks and balances that ensures accountability and good stewardship. Its structure allows the organization to adapt to the changing needs of the community and to ensure the donor’s intent is preserved.
The first year of operations ended with net worth of $45,299 from one gift. As of June 30, 2011, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation manages more than 1,000 endowment funds with assets in excess of $620 million.
Learn more about John Kirkpatrick here.
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Highlights 1969-2011
