The Donna Nigh Foundation, administered by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, recently awarded $21,794.25 in grants to six organizations providing services to Oklahomans with developmental disabilities.
For more than 50 years, the former first lady of Oklahoma has used her influence to advocate and improve the quality of life for Oklahoma’s developmentally disabled. She was instrumental in the passage of legislation that provided funding for group homes, modifying zoning laws to allow the homes in neighborhoods and increasing the number of sheltered workshops.
Established to help fund services that government agencies are unable to provide, The Donna Nigh Foundation awards grants for adaptive equipment that allows Oklahomans with developmental disabilities to push their boundaries and gain independence.
“Governor and Mrs. Nigh have become powerful advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities in Oklahoma,” said Nancy Anthony, Oklahoma City Community Foundation President. “Through The Donna Nigh Foundation, they are making a profound difference for these individuals and their quality of life.”
This spring, the Donna Nigh Foundation awarded the following grants:
- Deer Creek Schools Foundation – $4,536.45 for assistive technology that will help students with disabilities participate and communicate in a classroom setting.
- Home of Hope, Inc. – $5,582.80 to purchase adaptive equipment to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities become more self-reliant and independent.
- iCan Shine, Inc/iCan Bike OKC – $1,500 to provide up to 10 scholarships for individuals to attend iCan Bike OKC, a week-long day camp where they learn to safely ride a traditional two-wheel bicycle.
- KidsAlive! – $3,500 to provide a dance floor for the students enrolled in the KidsAlive! all abilities theatre and dance classes.
- Mid-Del Group Homes, Inc. – $2,000 to convert the workshop to LED lighting, boosting morale, providing clearer vision, improving quality of production and providing a long-term savings to the agency.
- Team Hoyt Oklahoma – $4,675 to purchase a running wheelchair, providing the opportunity for physically and/or mentally disabled Oklahomans to participate in running races.
Nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma that provide direct services to individuals with severe to profound intellectual or developmental disorders may apply for grants from The Donna Nigh Foundation to fund adaptive equipment by July 1, 2019. Find application instructions at occf.org/nighfoundation.
About The Donna Nigh Foundation
Friends of Donna Nigh established the Donna Nigh Foundation in 1985 as a birthday present in honor of Mrs. Nigh’s commitment and work on behalf of the state’s developmentally disabled residents. In 1997, the Nighs transferred the private foundation to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to administer the grant program that provides funding for adaptive equipment for individuals in private residences, group homes and schools. For more information, visit www.occf.org/nighfoundation.
About the Oklahoma City Community Foundation
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors throughout the state to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. For more information, visit www.occf.org.