In the News

Unity Health Center announced Friday it has given $175,000 for the purchase of a building to be used as a homeless shelter for Shawnee Rescue Mission at the old Lamar building on Ninth and Louisa streets.
SRM received word it was unanimously approved for a $175,000 matching grant from the Sarkeys Foundation, of which First Lady Kim Henry is executive director, earlier this year. They also were told as a condition of that grant, they must raise the remaining portion of the $350,000 building cost by July 28 and could not borrow it.
“We saw what an investment it would be with the Sarkeys Foundation for what is a growing need not only with the homeless but others in need,” Henry said.

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.

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.

Senate Bill 1070 Heads to Governor Henry for Signature

State Senator Susan Paddack and State Representatives Wes Hilliard and Ron Peters have been working as champions of an effort to promote charitable organizations in the state through revised legislation that will increase transparency and accountability. SB 1070 passed unanimously in the senate and in the house by a vote of 71-28 with no debate. The bill requires most charitable organizations to register with the state before soliciting contributions. Professional fundraisers and professional solicitors are also required to register.

21 Nonprofits, Quartz Mountain, a great experience.

This three-day intensive retreat was a by-invitation-only program for 21 Oklahoma nonprofits held at Quartz Mountain. Leadership teams consisting of the executive director and the board president attended the retreat, which focused on building staff and board relationships, financial efficiency, and outcomes and other nonprofit best practices.

Representatives from foundations and philanthropic groups such as the Tulsa Community Foundation, Sarkeys Foundation and the Inasmuch Foundation, many of whom were not even aware of the program before Friday, accompanied Henry and his wife, Kim, on their visit to the campus.

The Sarkeys Foundation announced today grants totaling $747,000 to 30 nonprofits in Oklahoma. Eighty charitable organizations with 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status submitted proposals. 

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.”

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.