Sarkeys News

This time of the year, we continue to give thanks for the great nonprofits in our state. Two of our program staff attended a Thanksgiving dinner at Street School in Tulsa and are pictured with one of the graduates. This alternative high school gives students a second chance to succeed in education and life. Sarkeys gave them a $50,000 grant to help with remodeling of their kitchen, which can now be used as a classroom for students who are interested in developing job skills in the hospitality industry.

The first phone conversation I had with a nonprofit professional after I started working at Sarkeys as a program officer in 2008 was from the executive director of the Stillwater Children’s Museum.  Ruth Cavins is one of those people who exhibits a positive can-do attitude and always has joy in her voice. Over the last 3 ½ years, I’ve watched her and this organization grow from offering a museum without walls program to schools and daycare centers in the Payne County area to raising almost $900,000 in a little over a year and moving into a museum space at 308 West Franklin in Stillwater.

Not only did they receive two grants from Sarkeys, they attended the Toolbox Series, the Oklahoma Institute for Nonprofit Leadership, the Southwest Regional Leadership Forum, and took advantage of our board retreat program. Ruth, the staff and board members are quick to credit Sarkeys with setting them on the right course and for supporting them through this adventure. And we are quick to give credit right back to them for doing things the right way from the beginning and learning about best practices for nonprofits and museums.

Now the Oklahoma WONDERtorium is ready to open its doors October 15 to kids of all ages.

Good luck on your grand opening and we look forward to traveling to Stillwater to play with you soon!

They came from the Panhandle. One is starting her 43^rd year of teaching. Another drove from Grant, a small town just south of Hugo, and one from Stidham, near Eufaula. In all, 46 middle school math teachers made the trip to the Oklahoma School of Science and Math in Oklahoma City for the Sarkeys Foundation Summer Math Institute. Wednesday morning, the group made their way to the National Weather Center in Norman to see how math in the classroom applies to jobs in the “real” world.

 A grant awarded to OSSM in April from our Foundation provides the opportunity for teachers to spend a week together, living in the dorms on campus, and discovering innovative ways to bring math alive in the classrooms in communities across Oklahoma. Many of these teachers from small, rural school districts have limited opportunities for professional development. Oklahoma students also fall below the national average in math aptitude. This program is a way for Sarkeys and OSSM to create a partnership resulting in higher achievement of students.

May 23, 2011

Sarkeys Foundation Awards Grants to Oklahoma Nonprofits

  (Norman, OK) — The Sarkeys Foundation announced grants totaling $1,057,972 to 41 nonprofits in Oklahoma. Sixty-six charitable organizations with 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status submitted proposals.    

“Our Foundation’s assets are increasing making it possible for us to support many nonprofits that are doing important work in our state,” said Executive Director Kim Henry. “We made some changes to our grant process and encouraged smaller nonprofits, especially those in rural areas to apply, because we know their resources are limited. We continue to do everything we can to support nonprofits as they work each day to make life better for Oklahomans.”

Since its founding in 1962, Sarkeys has awarded more than $70 million in grants for education, social services, arts and culture, health care and medical research, and environmental projects.  Trustees and staff of the foundation continue to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life in Oklahoma.

Nonprofits have the option of applying for grants in the amount of $10,000 and below or over $10,000. In an effort to serve more nonprofits during 2011, the Foundation is limiting grant requests to no more than $50,000. The next grant application deadline is August 1, 2011.

The grants awarded at the April board meeting are:

Arts Council of Oklahoma City, $8,536 for Arts After School program; Britvil Community Food Pantry , Oklahoma City, $12,900 for technology improvements; Calm Waters Center for Children and Families, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for grief support groups program; Crosstown Learning Center, Tulsa, $20,000 for nutrition program; Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Tulsa, $40,000 for their Comprehensive Therapeutic Children's Program; The Education And Employment Ministry, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for supportive services to prepare clients for employment; Good Shepherd Community Clinic, Ardmore, $15,000 for their in-house pharmacy; Great Expectations Foundation, Tahlequah, $39,500 for their mentor program; Green Country Free Clinic, Bartlesville, $40,000 to fund implementation of a new dental clinic; Health Alliance for the Uninsured, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for support of their Cooperative Central Pharmacy; Health For Friends, Norman, $48,482 for conversion to an electronic medical records system; Help In Crisis, Tahlequah, $41,625 to fund two part-time positions of volunteer coordinator and children's advocate; Infant Crisis Services, Oklahoma City, $30,000 for food, formula and diapers; Jasmine Moran Children's Museum Foundation, Seminole, $50,000 to help fund their endowment; Leadership Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, $3,500 for the summer activities for Youth Leadership Oklahoma; Life Change Ballroom, Oklahoma City, $15,000 for scholarships for the Youth Empowerment & Leadership Program; Little Dixie Community Action Agency , Hugo, $20,000 for their Early Childhood State Pilot Project; Mission Shawnee, Shawnee, $18,000 for commercial grade appliances for their summer and school year meal programs; Neighborhood Services Organization, Oklahoma City, $30,000 for their Transitional Living Follow-Up Program; New Hope Camp, Tulsa, $25,000 for the residential summer camp for children whose parents are or have been incarcerated; NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, $8,500 for scholarships for the Emergency Intervention Vision Rehabilitation Training Program;  Norman Firehouse Art Center, Norman, $26,150 for updated computers and phone system, and purchase of children's work tables and chairs; Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Oklahoma City, $20,000 for their 2011-2012 education programs and scholarships; Oklahoma Humane Society, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for construction of a quarantine facility; Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, Oklahoma City, $20,000 for support of their Outreach for Kids project; Oklahoma Safe Kids Coalition, Oklahoma City, $50,000 for their Child Passenger Safety Community Program;  Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, Oklahoma City, $35,000 to fund the Sarkeys Summer Mathematics Institute; Oklahoma State University Foundation, Stillwater, $48,050 for equipment for the Sarkeys Electrical Power Technology Lab at the Oklahoma City Campus; Parents Assistance Center , Oklahoma City, $8,475 for part of the therapist's salary for the Parent Child Interaction Therapy program; Positive Tomorrows Community Board, Oklahoma City, $20,000 for new math and science curriculum. Possibilities, Oklahoma City, $15,000 for the Possibilities Innovation Program; Preserving Oklahoma’s Legacy Institute,  Tulsa, $10,000 for the Voices of Oklahoma program; Rebuilding Together Tulsa, $30,000 for their roof replacement program; Rogers County Elder Day Care Center, Claremore, $7,080 for meals for clients; Southeastern Foundation, Durant, $50,000 for their student wellness center;  Oklahoma Wondertorium, Stillwater, $28,343 for their "Museum without Walls" program;  Variety Care Foundation, Oklahoma City, $42,447 for a new communications systems at the Straka Family Health Center; Volunteers of America, Tulsa, $30,000 for a new case manager position at the Homeless Alliance’s WestTown Resource Center in Oklahoma City; William W. Barnes Children's Advocacy Center, Claremore, $8,000 for the “Healing after Child Abuse” therapy program; WINGS Special Needs Adult Community, Edmond, $9,600 to purchase art design and production equipment; and Youth Services of Tulsa, $33,784 to help fund case manager and program coordinator for their transitional living program.

For additional information about Sarkeys Foundation and the process to apply for grants, visit the website at www.sarkeys.org or call 405-364-3703.

Baby Steps, an early head-start program for babies and toddlers of teenage parents in Norman, hosted an open house to show off the renovation of the home and new playground Thursday, February 24. In 2010, the Junior League of Norman committed $40,000 and the campaign raised $75,975, including a $25,0000 grant awarded by Sarkeys Foundation. In addition, a coalition partner in the Baby Steps Center, was awarded a $95,000 grant for the renovation

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Sarkeys Foundation Awards Grants to Oklahoma Nonprofits

 (Norman, OK) — The Sarkeys Foundation announced today grants totaling $422,509 to 24 nonprofits in Oklahoma. Seventy-three charitable organizations with 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status submitted proposals.    

“There are many strong nonprofits doing great work in our state and we are honored to be able to help a number of them further their mission,” said Kim Henry, executive director. “Many of our recipients serve rural areas of our state where resources are limited and it can be more challenging to raise money for those in need. We believe investing in these nonprofits will help thousands of Oklahomans during these challenging times.”

Since its founding in 1962, Sarkeys has awarded more than $70 million in grants for education, social services, arts and culture, health care and medical research, and environmental projects.  Trustees and staff of the foundation continue to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life in Oklahoma.

The grants are:

4Rkids Foundation, Enid, $10,000 for replacement of air conditioning system; A New Leash on Life, Norman, $15,000 for expansion of service, inmate and therapy dog programs; American Red Cross-Heart of Oklahoma Chapter, Norman, $7,500 for emergency housing for disaster victims in Garvin and Pontotoc counties; Among Friends Activity Center, Norman, $10,000 for expansion of their facility; Bridges, Norman, $16,800 for their career coaching program; Casa Of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City, $30,000 for the recruitment and training of volunteers; Christian Helping Hands, Comanche, $9,469 for purchase of a walk-in freezer; Family Promise, Shawnee, $14,140 for equipment and technology upgrades; Friends of the Antlers Public Library, Antlers, $15,000 for expansion and renovation of library; Friends of the Duncan Public Library, Duncan, $18,000 for renovation of the children's area; Hearts for Hearing Foundation, Oklahoma City, $20,000 for pediatric hearing aids; High Plains Outreach Center, Woodward, $20,000 for transitional living assistance for homeless clients; Hospice Of Southwest Oklahoma, Lawton, $15,000 for funds for patients who are uninsured; Katheryne B. Payne Education Center, Oklahoma City, $20,000 for the alphabetic phonics therapy demonstration model project; Northwest Domestic Crisis Services, Woodward, $20,000 for renovations for transitional living program; Owasso Community Resources, Owasso, $7,500 for basic needs assistance program for disadvantaged families; Payne County Youth Services, Stillwater, $13,500 for a generator for the emergency shelter; Rebuilding Together, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for repair and replacement of roofs for elderly low income citizens; Rogers County Youth Services, Claremore, $9,600 to purchase computers, software, desks and student materials; Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Weatherford, $75,000 for training equipment for the School of Nursing. Special Care, Oklahoma City, $25,000 for scholarships for low income families; Stand in the Gap, Tulsa, $15,000 for support of a pilot youth transitional living program; Christmas Connection, Oklahoma City, $5,000 for purchase of school uniforms for students who attend Oklahoma City Public Schools; Trinity Legal Clinic of Oklahoma, Edmond, $6,000 for legal services for the homeless clients at City Rescue Mission.

 For additional information about Sarkeys Foundation and the process to apply for grants, visit the website at www.sarkeys.org or call 405-364-3703.

The Oklahoma Group is a student-run organization affiliated with the OU WGS Center for Social Justice that provides pro bono consulting services for nonprofit organizations in the Oklahoma City area.  A consulting team of OU students will be assigned to address a client nonprofit's specific needs over the course of a semester.  Additionally, there is a weekly class component, which includes workshops and guest speakers including OU professors, members of the Oklahoma nonprofit community, and experienced consultants and industry professionals to provide knowledge and insight on various aspects of the consulting experience

Students at the university level have untapped potential to apply their knowledge and skills in a professional environment; as TOG interns, they will have the opportunity to apply these skills to researching and proposing solutions to the specific problems that a nonprofit organization faces, developing consulting skills and experience working in the nonprofit sector.  

The Oklahaoma Group models itself after a similar group at UC-Berkley Group.  TBG was founded in 2003 with the goal of using innovative ideas and passionate people to help San Fransico Bay Area nonprofits.  They have worked with dozens of nonprofits and hundreds of students on a wide range of projects, including:  strategic planning, marketing, financial planning, brand management, and more.  The Oklahoma Group is bringing the success of The Berkley Group to the University of Oklahoma and the nonprofits of this great state.

Click here to fill out an application.  Please send the completed application to info@theoklahomagroup.org.  All applications are due by November 19, 2010.  For more information please contact info@theoklahomagroup.org or 405.325.5787.

Project fundraiser goes public

Private donations top $5 million for a community center.

By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Published: 8/17/2010

The Greater Cornerstone Community Development Project officially kicked off the public portion of its fundraising campaign Thursday.

The private portion of the campaign raised about $5.2 million to build a nearly $7 million, 20,000-square-foot community center in the South Haven neighborhood of west Tulsa.

That leaves $1,799,543 to raise during the open campaign.

The deadline to raise the remainder is Oct. 14, said the Rev. Willard Jones, pastor at Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church and executive director of the Greater Cornerstone Community Development Project, a nonprofit group that is separate from the church.

"That's the drop-dead date because we have some matching grants. There's a lot of money out there contingent upon making this goal," he said. "We'll get it."

The community center will be located across from the Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church, 5610 S. 41st West Ave., and will have social, educational, vocational and recreational impacts.

A number of partner agencies will have a presence at the center including Family and Children's Services, DVIS, Goodwill and the YMCA, Jones said.

"It will be a one-stop shop," Jones said. "You might go to the dental partner and say you've been battered by your husband so they'll direct you to DVIS and then Family and Children's Services or DHS. They might have those services somewhere else but it's too far for these people to realize."

Other services will include family and youth counseling,
job skill training, food and clothing distribution, mental health assistance and after-school programs. All are services needed in the area that has low-income households.

"We're talking about poverty. This center will address people in this condition of need," Jones said.

The plan is to break ground in December with construction taking 12 months to complete, Jones said.

The center will be able to serve as a community shelter. There will also be a full-size gymnasium and performance hall with a basketball court and a stage with lighting and sound equipment.

Many area foundations, corporations and churches have pledged donations.

"Inaction simply isn't an option," said Donald E. Pray, trustee for the Bernsen Foundation. "We must do something significant to bring real hope to people who are helplessly trapped in a cycle of misfortune and despair."

While the center will be located in the South Haven area, it will be open to a larger part of west Tulsa from West 41st Street to the north, Arkansas River to the east, 71st Street to the south and the Turner Turnpike to the west.

Jones has been working to bring a community center to the area for five years.

"I won't say it's been everyday sunshine. There's been some ups and downs and felt like is this going to happen. You've just got to be patient," he said. "I'm not going to give up. I'm going to see this till the end."

Contributors to the community center
Foundations and businesses that have contributed to the project so far: The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, TriStar Glass, Sarkeys Foundation, The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, The Oxley Foundation, The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, The George Kaiser Family Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, Hille Foundation, Heatwave Supply, Inc., Hardesty Family Foundation, The Gelvin Foundation, Flint Foundation, Citgo Petroleum Corp., H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust, The Mervin Bovaird Foundation and The Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation.


Read more from this Tulsa World article here.

The Sarkeys Foundation is pleased to launch the NEW online Grant Application! The new online application allows organizations to apply for Sarkeys Grants electronically, rather than through the mail, allowing the application process to be more green and efficient.* 

The new online application offers many exciting features, a few highlights:

• Registered applicants can start an application, save the incomplete application, and come back at a later date to finish the application.
• Registered applicants will be able to view a history of all Sarkeys applications that they have submitted online.
• Multiple registered users can access an organization's online grant application.
• Applications are time and date stamped when submitted and users are immediately notified of receipt.  No more worrying about post-mark dates and the post office.

Remember that organizations wishing to apply for a Sarkeys Grant must speak with a Sarkeys Program Officer prior to applying. 

Applications for the Fall 2010 Grant Cycle must be electronically submitted or postmarked by August 2nd.  If you have any questions regarding qualifications for receiving a Sarkeys Grant please visit "Grant Making" at www.sarkeys.org or contact a program officer at 405.364.3703.


*Applicants will also have the option of mailing their application to Sarkeys; this application is available for download at www.sarkeys.org