Creating Impact Through Giving

Why is graduation day too late for high school seniors to worry about financial aid for college? And how should they prepare for applications ahead of time?

This month on Creating Impact Through Giving, Jessica Schwager, director of scholarships at OCCF, tells us about the tips and tricks behind a successful scholarship application. You'll also learn about a great scholarship opportunity for students in foster care, and hear the impactful story of one of our past recipients, Savien Johnson.

Apply for scholarships: occf.org/scholarships
Oklahoma Youth With Promise Scholarship: occf.org/oywp
Counselors, join our email list here: http://conta.cc/3dEmBjg

Visit occf.org to learn more!

In this month's episode of Creating Impact Through Giving, let’s take a closer look at the evolution of a charitable gift. What happens when a donor comes to us with a donation but no initial idea on how to develop a legacy? Listen to Dan’s conversation with Laura Moon, donor services manager, and Ken Rees, a local philanthropist who has worked with us to grow his fund into a multi-year grant program. 

Find a full transcript of this episode at occf.org/impact.

Visit occf.org to learn more!

Have you ever thought about supporting your community through charitable contributions? Or maybe you are already giving to charity, but wonder if you are doing so in the most efficient and effective way? In this episode, Joe Carter, VP of development at the Community Foundation, guides you through the many different ways you can make an impact this giving season - or at any point in your life! Dan and Joe look back on their favorite creative giving tools of 2020 and predict what's going to shape the charitable sector in 2021. We also talk to a donor who has created a sizable legacy himself about his experience working with the Foundation's donor services team. Tune in to get valuable year-end giving advice, a comprehensive fund type 101, and savvy tax strategies relating to the CARES Act.

Visit occf.org to learn more!

Update: Please note that GiveSmartOKC has been retired. Please visit occf.org/nonprofit-directory to learn more about the resources to check out the resources available to you for learning about the nonprofits in our community.

Dan discusses the origins and possibilities of the new GiveSmartOKC platform with Kelley Barnes and Rachel Mouton of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation's programs team. Our experts share insight into the platform's expanded functionalities and different ways to leverage them this giving season. Later in the episode (13:22), DesJean Jones, Executive Director of OIC of Oklahoma County, provides powerful testimony to the platform's potential, and Dan chats with Steve Agee, OCCF Trustee and philanthropist, about why every donor and nonprofit should be using GiveSmartOKC to grow their impact.

Visit occf.org to learn more!

65,000 bulbs. A newspaper clipping. A historic neighborhood in Oklahoma City.

On Episode 5, we’re talking everything parks with Brian Dougherty, director of the Parks & Public Space Initiative, JB Schuelein from the Mesta Park Neighborhood Association and Leslie Hudson, Trustee, committee member and philanthropist. From our latest grants to an exciting community opportunity coming up over the next few weeks, tune in to get a sneak peek of the project that will help transform the metro area come Spring 2021!

Opportunities mentioned in this episode:
- Rebloom Oklahoma spring flower campaign: occf.org/rebloom (deadline extended to Nov. 9, 2020)
- Nonprofit training opportunities: occf.org/coetraining
- Parks grants: occf.org/parks

Visit occf.org to learn more!

With the help of Teena Belcik, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Dan explores the longterm benefits of endowment planning. We're also looking ahead to exciting grant opportunities, our annual check distributions to deserving nonprofits, and to the end of a turbulent fiscal year that has put our investment policies to the test. Learn how our nonprofits have successfully braced themselves against market turmoils and why they can rest assured that the Oklahoma City Community Foundation takes steadfast stewardship of their future. #ThePowerofEndowment

Sign up for our virtual nonprofit training series: occf.org/coetraining
More information about iFund Services for the Elderly grants: occf.org/ifunds/elderly.html
Scholarship applications opening October 1: occf.academicworks.com

Visit occf.org to learn more!

Dan reveals the launch of an exciting new initiative at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and chats with our guests about our role in making Oklahoma a healthier, more active state. Stay tuned for his conversations with Talita DeNegri, OCCF Trustee and principal at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, OCCF's Kristi Birk-Steinberg and Caitlynne Miller from the Oklahoma City Mom blog, and learn more about finding the perfect biking trails in central Oklahoma and how to not let COVID-19 keep you cooped up with summer!

Visit occf.org to learn more!

In this episode, Dan welcomes back Jessica to discuss all things scholarships, opportunities for rural students, and the impending sticker shock of college tuition. You'll also hear from a donor directly about her experience setting up a scholarship in honor of a loved one and her plans to build an endowment that supports education in perpetuity. Lastly, two former Oklahoma City Community Foundation scholarship recipients look back on the impact the gift of education has had on their academic journey.

Visit occf.org to learn more!

Welcome to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, your simple and effective resource in leaving a creative and lasting impact on your community. Hear from three of our in-house experts about the kinds of services and programs we offer (including scholarships, yay!) and take a deep dive into our origin story. We can't wait to explore more charitable giving strategies and nonprofit success stories with you in future episodes!

Visit occf.org to learn more!