Calling all visionaries! Do you have a bold and innovative idea that you believe could empower and transform our community?
 
With our 50th anniversary on the horizon, we are excited to introduce The Great Idea Challenge , seeking innovative ideas that will impact our community throughout the next 50 years.
 
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation will award grants of $150,000-$200,000 to support Great Ideas for a Greater Community: projects that will connect resources, plant seeds, leverage assets or launch ventures that are new to Oklahoma City and central Oklahoma. The application process will take place during 2018, with grants awarded and implemented beginning 2019.
 
Join us for one of three informational meetings in March to learn more.
 
Please contact GreatIdea@occf.org with any questions. 


Anchor1Making Planned Giving Work for You

Want the cold, hard truth? If you're not asking for planned gifts, someone else is. More and more organizations are discovering that, though planned gifts are more complex than asking for a simple donation, they are more than worth the time and effort. Fundraisers who focus on planned giving earn 50-100 percent more than those who don't. Need more incentive? A planned gift can come from any one of your donors who has shown interest in supporting your organization. And, with the passage of the new tax law, now may be a better time than ever for donors who wish to make larger gifts. Read below to find out how you can make planned giving work for you!
Anchor2Identifying Your Best Planned Giving Prospects

Similar to a traditional fundraising approach, you never want to waste your time on donors who aren't serious about giving to your organization. Your planned giving strategy should include recognizing when donors have the greatest potential of leaving a gift through their estate. We've rounded up a few articles to help you identify those donors who would be best for your organization's planned giving program.
Anchor3Marketing Your Planned Giving Program

Once you've realized the importance of a planned giving program, it's time to develop a marketing strategy to reach potential prospects. Even if your budget is limited and you're new to the planned giving scene, you can build a marketing strategy without reinventing the wheel. In fact, there is no better way to market planned giving than through your existing donor communications. Learn the best ways to attract potential prospects for your planned giving program below!

Are you craving more knowledge on how to get your planned giving program off the ground? Don't miss this year's Seeds of Planned Giving series! 

"In today's nonprofit world, we must fundraise for long-term needs to combat economic challenges,"  said Marie Burns, executive director for Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation. "T he Seeds of Planned Giving topics are so relevant , and when I share what I've learned with my donors, they are always excited to learn more about how they can help!"
 
Join us for Seeds of Planned Giving to learn easy-to-implement tips and best practices to help you design and execute a planned giving program to boost your development efforts!

For more information, contact Gayle Farley at 405/606-2910. 
Ashlee Adams
gso Tips for Transparency

GiveSmartOKC and Planned Giving Opportunities 
Does your organization have a planned giving program? Enhance your GiveSmartOKC profile and encourage donors to leave a legacy by mentioning the planned giving opportunities you offer in the How to Give  section of your profile!

Reminder: Annual Profile Updates Due
  • If your organization's fiscal year ended Dec. 31, please remember to review and update your financials, current fiscal year budget projections and board list to maintain your GiveSmartOKC profile.
  • Does your organization have a new promotional video? Send it to me at a.adams@occf.org and I can upload it to your GiveSmartOKC profile! 
  • Also, if your organization is applying for upcoming OCCF grant opportunities, please make sure your profile information is current. 
New GiveSmartOKC profiles! 
Join us as we welcome Science Museum Oklahoma as the newest Oklahoma City nonprofits to publish a profile on GiveSmartOKC.org! 

For more than 60 years, Science Museum Oklahoma has enriched people's lives by providing learning opportunities that reveal the wonder and relevance of science.

Are you ready to join more than 280 nonprofits who have published profiles at GiveSmartOKC.org?
 
Learn how your nonprofit can join at GiveSmartOKC.org .
grantsGrant Deadlines

March 19 | Wellness Initiative
 

resourcesNonprofit Resources

DonorCentral - View the balance of your endowment fund and gifts from donors.
The Toolkit - Tools to help you promote your endowment.
IRS.gov for Nonprofits
IRS Stay Exempt - Tax Basics for 501(c)(3)
Contacts:

Gayle Farley
Director, Charitable Organization Endowment Fund Program
405/606-2910


 Ashlee Adams
Coordinator, GiveSmartOKC
405/606-2918