The Oklahoma City Community Foundation announced today that more than $5.2 million in endowment fund distributions will go out this week to 365 central Oklahoma nonprofits. And, despite severe economic disruptions tied to COVID-19, the sum of this year’s distribution is an increase over the amount given in 2019.
“These distributions help anchor the budgets for many of our nonprofit partners, assuring their long-term sustainability and allowing them to plan for the future,” said Nancy Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. “We could not be more pleased to report that the size of our annual distributions has not been affected by these uncertain times.”
Each fall, nonprofits that have established endowment funds at the Community Foundation receive a distribution generated from the fund. The funds are established by the respective organizations or individual donors and are managed through the Community Foundation’s Charitable Organization Endowment Program. In addition to an increased distribution amount, nonprofits are also receiving this year’s distribution months in advance to help with current fundraising and cash flow needs that might have been affected by the pandemic.
“We are excited about the size of this year’s distribution,” Anthony said. “Agencies will receive an average of $14,800, and 20 of the organizations will receive $50,000 or more.”
Supporters have been donating through the Community Foundation’s endowment program for years, and now it is the largest of its kind in the nation.
“Some of the funds were established by Oklahoma City Community Foundation Founder John E. Kirkpatrick 50 years ago,” Anthony said, “and the size of our distributions have increased through the years, helping to strengthen our community and improve quality of life.”
Anthony said there are a lot of nonprofits in central Oklahoma making a real difference in the community, and it is important for the community to continue supporting them because of the positive difference they are making in people’s lives.
But many donors struggle to find organizations that best fit their individual interests, so the Community Foundation is hoping to help through GiveSmartOKC.org, a website with in-depth information about more than 300 charitable organizations in the Oklahoma City area.
“GiveSmartOKC.org is a great first step to giving,” Anthony said.