Our History
Oilman and philanthropist John E. Kirkpatrick and eight fellow business leaders founded the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in 1969. Donors who wanted to provide charitable funds needed an easy and efficient way to do so and the community needed an organization that would help them.
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.
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 major donor. As of June 30, 2008, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation manages more than 1,000 funds with assets valued in excess of $550 million.
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is considered a leader in the community and the nation for endowment management, disaster relief services, scholarships and advised funds for donors and families.
