In the News

In our 2008 Annual Report, Sarkeys Foundation travels over to northeastern Oklahoma to take a look at five organizations that are weathering the economic bumps and continuing to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Oklahomans. We are facing difficult times, but we know Oklahoma’s nonprofits with the help of Sarkeys will be able to buckle up and focus on the road ahead.

To download the report click here.

Sarkeys Foundation Executive Director Kim Henry has announced the Foundation’s 2009 grant awards in the amount of $1,186,054. Grants will go to a variety of Oklahoma nonprofits. “During these difficult economic times, it’s especially important to help those in need,” said Henry, “and the Sarkeys Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life in Oklahoma is something we take very seriously. We are pleased to be able to award over $1 million worth of grants and are proud to provide financial help and resources to our fellow Oklahomans.”

• Youth and Family Services of El Reno was awarded $55,000 to assist with the Independent Living and Foster Care Programs.
• Meals on Wheels of Norman was awarded $46,725 to provide subsidies for low income clients.
• Armed Services YMCA, Lawton, was awarded $100,000 in support of childcare scholarship assistance for families of those enlisted personnel deployed or returning from overseas.
• Iron Gate, Tulsa, was awarded $20,000 to support a food pantry.
• Rebuilding Together Oklahoma City was awarded $50,000 to assist with roofing repairs or replacements for low-income, elderly homeowners.
• Variety Health Center, Oklahoma City, was awarded $50,000 to assist with the “Espera Mas” project.
• YMCA of Greater OKC was awarded $20,000 to assist with the funding of the Military Welcome Center.
• YWCA of Oklahoma City was awarded $100,000 in support of the Children’s Crisis Center.
• Senior Law Resource Center, Oklahoma City, was awarded $29,550 in support of a program to prevent and address financial exploitation of the elderly and other vulnerable adults.
• Youth at Heart, Tulsa, was awarded $10,000 to assist in the After School Program and Summer Programs.
• Center for Children and Families, Inc., Norman, was awarded $50,000 to assist with the Trauma Focused Program.
• Clarehouse, Tulsa, was awarded $14,249 in support of the education and resource library and labyrinth facilitator training.
• Community After School Program, Norman, was awarded $25,000 to assist with the pilot of a nutrition and physical education program.
• Community Literacy Centers, Oklahoma City, was awarded $50,000 in support of the LEAP program.
• Hearts for Hearing, Oklahoma City, was awarded $62,000 to assist with the Pediatric Hearing Aid Project.
• NAIC-Center for Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Services, Norman, was awarded $18,260 to assist with the expansion of the gambling treatment program.
• OKC Metro Alliance was awarded $25,000 to help fund the completion of the Women’s Firstep facility.
• Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, was awarded $49,750 to help fund the Girl Scouting in Juvenile Correction Facilities and Alternative Schools program.
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa, was awarded $53,800 in support of Project MEND.
• Happy Hands Education Center, Tulsa, was awarded $100,000 in support of scholarships.
• Enid Arts and Sciences was awarded $10,000 to purchase security cameras and fund upgrades to flooring for their telescope.
• Special Care, Oklahoma City, was awarded $50,000 in support of scholarships.
• Mental Health Association in Tulsa was awarded $50,000 in support of the continuation of the SafeTeam program.
• Associated Center for Therapy, Tulsa, was awarded $15,000 in support of the Transition Services Program.
• Community Crisis Center, Miami, was awarded $50,000 to assist in funding a development team.
• Oklahoma Arts Institute, Norman, was awarded $25,000 to provide scholarships for public school educators to attend the Oklahoma Fall Arts Institute.
• Oklahoma Humanities Council, Oklahoma City, was awarded $9,170 to assist in funding the Museum on Main Street program.
• Nature Conservancy, Oklahoma City, was awarded $25,000 to assist in funding a program to mitigate damages of wind energy development.
• A New Leash on Life, Norman, was awarded $22,550 to help provide educational funds and training supplies.

Sarkeys Foundation announced Wednesday that it has selected First Lady Kim Henry as its new Executive Director.

She will succeed Cheri Cartwright, the longtime Sarkeys’ executive director who passed away this spring. Henry, a former teacher, has served on the Sarkeys Board of Trustees since 2003.

“Kim was the natural choice for the job,” said the Sarkeys Board of Trustees in a written statement issued after their decision. “She has long experience with Sarkeys and tremendous leadership and administrative skills that will serve Sarkeys well going forward.”

Sarkeys Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life in Oklahoma by supporting the work of non-profit agencies across the state and offering professional development opportunities in those agencies.

“I am delighted to serve Sarkeys Foundation in this new role and look forward to working with the board and staff to continue improving the quality of life in Oklahoma,” Henry said.

Although Henry will assume her Sarkeys’ duties immediately, she will continue to fulfill all her responsibilities and commitments as First Lady of the State of Oklahoma.