We're sad to announce that Gayle Farley and Ashlee Adams will be leaving the Oklahoma City Community Foundation at the end of March. After leading our charitable organization endowment program for nearly 18 years, Gayle will be setting sail for the land of retirement! Ashlee, who has been our GiveSmartOKC.org coordinator since 2015, will be joining Water4. We hope you'll join us in thanking Gayle and Ashlee for their tremendous efforts in strengthening our community's charitable organizations and wish them well on their new endeavors!

 

In the interim, please contact Kenneth Conklin, 405/606-2926, with any questions about our charitable organization endowment program, and Kelley Barnes, 405/606-2942, for GiveSmartOKC questions.
 

Anchor1Building a Better Budget

Earlier this year, the Nonprofit Times published an article contradicting a popular report suggesting nonprofit organizations are on the brink of financial peril. Opposed to the primary viewpoints of the report, the Nonprofit Times contests that while the nonprofit financial sky is not falling , the report can be used as a great compass to show nonprofits where to direct their financial focus. After reading both the report and its rebuttal, it's time to go to work and focus on what financial areas your organization can fortify to withstand whatever storm may or may not be coming --- starting with the budget.
Anchor2Accounting Changes are Coming. Are you Ready? 

In late 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released new rules guiding how nonprofits present their financial information. With implementation deadlines taking effect beginning in 2018, it's imperative for organizations to know how best to prepare. While the new model of financial reporting can help nonprofits better tell their financial story, implementation of the changes could be challenging. Make sure your organization is equipped to provide an accurate snapshot of its finances in 2018 with the articles below.  
Anchor3The Value of Nonprofit Strategic Planning

Often times when said aloud, a charitable organization's mission can sound like an overwhelming and daunting task, leaving many in awe of their work yet wondering how they will ever accomplish their goals. Thankfully, organizations can use their strategic plan as a measuring tool. A great strategic plan should identify measurable goals, organization priorities and the best strategies to advance their mission. By identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, organizational leaders can plan accordingly for the success and longevity of their work. Does your organization have an effective strategic plan in place?
Anchor3Building Community

Beautiful. Inspiring. Emotional. Magical. These are just a few words that come to mind when remembering your first experience at the ballet. This powerful experience is exactly what our founder, John E. Kirkpatrick, wanted to bring to Oklahoma City residents when he and Eleanor helped found the Oklahoma City Ballet. Always looking toward the future, Mr. Kirkpatrick helped the Oklahoma City Ballet establish a permanent endowment at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. He leveraged his own charitable dollars to encourage others to give to the fund through a series of Kirkpatrick Challenges that offered matching dollars for endowment contributions. This generous tradition continues today through the Kirkpatrick Family Fund's endowment matching grant program.

Read how the matching grant programs, together with the support of generous donors, is helping build endowments for organizations like the Oklahoma City Ballet in our newly published 2018 Charitable Organization Endowment Program Review. 

gso Tips for Transparency

Did you know? GiveSmartOKC provides a unique glimpse into collective data about central Oklahoma nonprofits. Below are some interesting facts we pulled from the 293 organizations currently featured on Give Smart OKC:
 
Do you have an endowment fund?
No | 23%
Yes | 77%
 
GiveSmartOKC organizations' budget/income size:
 
13% | >5M
14% | <$100K
19% | $500K - $1M
27% | $100K - $500K
27% | $1M - $5M


Updates:
  • Applying for a grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation? Be sure to log in to Give Smart OKC  to ensure the information in your profile is accurate and current.
New GiveSmartOKC profiles! 
Join us in welcoming the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League and Warriors for Freedom Foundation to GiveSmartOKC ! Learn more about each organization when you visit their profiles on Give Smart OKC!

Are you ready to join the more than 290 nonprofits who have published profiles at GiveSmartOKC.org?  Learn how your nonprofit can join at GiveSmartOKC.org .
jobWe're Hiring: Join Our Team! 

Are you a self-described "data nerd" who can navigate a database blindfolded? Do you have a passion for charitable organizations and spend your free time combing through the profiles on Give Smart OKC? If so, you could be the perfect fit for our open position managing GiveSmartOKC and charitable organization profiles ! To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and three references with job title in the subject line to info@occf.org by April 15, 2018.


April 12 | Charitable Gift Annuities 
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1300 N. Walker Ave., Suite #300


grantsGrant Deadlines





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:

Kenneth Conklin
Interim Contact for Charitable Organization Endowment Fund Program
405/606-2926 
Kelley Barnes 
Interim Contact for GiveSmartOKC
405/606-2942