Inasmuch Foundation

Earlier this month, Inasmuch Foundation VP of Programs Sarah Roberts visited Nashville with local leaders invested in improving Oklahoma City's mental and behavioral health resources. While there, the group met with Daron Hall Nashville Sheriff and toured the Nashville Downtown Detention Center and attached Nashville Behavioral Care Center. Nashville has made news in recent years for leading the country in its approach to decriminalizing mental illness and better supporting individuals in crisis.

We look forward to working with this incredible group of Oklahomans to bring greater mental health support to OKC! 💕

A few weeks ago, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber hosted their annual State of the Schools, an event exploring how we can improve public education in OKC. Inasmuch enjoyed hearing energetic and inspiring keynotes by Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk and The University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr, and we appreciate the OKC Chamber for hosting this impactful event!

📸: Greater OKC Chamber

Congratulations to the CEO of ReMerge, Erin Engelke, who started in her new role this month! Inasmuch is thrilled to continue to work with ReMerge and to help continue the mission of transforming the lives of women and families in the community.

Help us give a warm welcome to Erin! 💕

🎊 Big News at ReMerge! 🎊

We are thrilled to announce Erin Engelke as the new Chief Executive Officer at ReMerge! Erin joined ReMerge on August 12th and is bringing her impressive background as the former Chief Executive Officer of Calm Waters. She brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to the ReMerge team.

Erin was recently named one of The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year honorees and her exceptional leadership and dedication continue to shine in her new role.

Please join us in welcoming Erin as she leads ReMerge into this exciting new chapter. We are confident her leadership will drive us toward even greater success to provide treatment, recovery, and hope to mothers in our community! Welcome, Erin! We are thrilled to have you leading the ReMerge team!

Tomorrow is election day, and OKC residents will have the opportunity to vote for an increase in the tourism tax, which is only applied only to temporary lodging purchases like a hotel or motel stay and will be used to help pay for city services. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM, and you can check the OK Voter Portal at okvoterportal.okelections.us for your polling location and a sample ballot.

Calling all Oklahoma City athletic directors and coaches! The Wes Welker Foundation is currently accepting applications for funding of athletic-related programs and facilities for public school districts within Oklahoma City limits. Their grants help fund everything from cheer uniforms to weight room equipment, and the deadline to apply is coming up on September 15!

Learn more at http://www.weswelkerfoundation.org/grants/ Please share this post with someone you think should apply!

On August 5, Inasmuch Foundation hosted our Summer Board Meeting! The Foundation is thrilled to announce two significant grants that will make a lasting impact on the community...
➡️ $5 million to the The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences to support cutting-edge research and healthcare initiatives that will benefit countless lives. (🔗 https://loom.ly/hkJVp-0)
➡️ $3 million to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to preserve and celebrate the diverse history of the American West for future generations. (🔗 https://loom.ly/3PfCMUw)

Inasmuch is proud to continue the commitment to strengthen Oklahoma’s cultural and educational institutions!

📸 First from left to right: Guy Patton, Andrew Roff, Jill Tiefenthaler, President Joseph Harroz Jr., Pat Rooney, David Griffin, Bob Ross, Dr. Gary E. Raskob 📸 Second from left to right: Jake Yunker, Andrew Roff, Pat Rooney, Bob Ross, Jill Tiefenthaler, David Griffin, Jeff Ewing

Happy National Nonprofit Day! This is a great day to show support and love to your favorite nonprofits. These organizations do the hard work to improve the community and their staff members lead lives of service and generosity. Tag an organization in the comments to say thank you!

Inasmuch Foundation mourns the loss of Louisa McCune, who passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Executive Director of Kirkpatrick Foundation, Louisa was a dynamic force for good and a champion for animals, art, and journalism, and she will be greatly missed. We send our sincerest condolences to Louisa's family and friends during this difficult time.

❤️ Read more about Louisa's legacy at https://loom.ly/2pBO5J8.

Louisa McCune, veteran journalist, longtime arts, animal welfare advocate, dead at 54 Louisa McCune, a veteran Oklahoma City magazine journalist, advocate of the arts and animal welfare, died Saturday at age 54.

In July, the Center for Public Sector AI (CPSAI) hosted their Flagship Gathering at The National, Autograph Collection in Oklahoma City. This event convened leaders in the Health and Human Services fields to explore responsible use of AI and emerging technologies in the delivery of benefits and services. 26 states plus Washington DC were represented, and partners from across the AI and philanthropic landscape enjoyed visiting OKC while thinking critically about the roles that technology should – and should not – play in the nonprofit world.

📸 Primary photo: CEO of U.S. Digital Response Hillary Hartley conducted a fireside chat with Robin Carnahan of the U.S. General Services Administration. Secondary photos: CPSAI CEO Justin Brown leads group discussion.

Final reminder! 🚨 Interested nonprofits have one week left to apply for Inasmuch Foundation's Fall 2024 Grant Cycle. If you are a nonprofit serving the Oklahoma City core with initiatives in community and civic engagement, education, or human services or a nationwide journalism organization, please learn more and apply at https://loom.ly/WJsnllk

On August 1, Inasmuch Foundation celebrated the amazing work of this summer's Community Fellows at our farewell event at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Inasmuch Chairman and CEO – and a member of the OKCNMM Board of Trustees Executive Committee – led students on a private tour of the museum before the Fellows enjoyed lunch and time for reflection. We closed the day with a wonderful presentation on the power of humor, courage and idealism by Attorney and Civic Volunteer Mike Turpin.

We are so proud of this group of students and look forward to seeing what they do next!

Thank you to...
❤️ Kari Watkins and OKCNMM for hosting us
❤️ Mike for taking time to join us and share his insight
❤️ The 2024 Community Fellows for their summer of service
❤️ All of the amazing nonprofits who hosted fellows this summer
❤️ and, of course, Fellowship Coordinator Anne Hedrick for her hard work coordinating this entire program!

On July 18th and 19th, Inasmuch Foundation attended the Million Dreams event and enjoyed hearing about the growth and impact of Safe Families for Children - Oklahoma! Part of a nationwide network, this program was brought to Oklahoma in 2014 by It's My Community Initiative - IMCI and provides support to an innovative collaboration of area churches, volunteers, non-profit organizations, business leaders, and government partners, all focused on ensuring that struggling parents have adequate options for meeting their children’s needs for a short period of time.

Learn more about Safe Families and how you can get involved at https://loom.ly/N9Yl-z8

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma's final show of the summer opens tonight, and you'll have a ball at this funny, modern adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The show will be performed simultaneously and seamlessly in English and American Sign Language as part of this innovative approach with Deaf Austin Theatre.

🔗 Learn more: https://loom.ly/nYor-BI

Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA - Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma This enchanting, Tony-nominated musical fairytale will put a spell on audiences of all ages. In partnership with Deaf Austin Theatre and performed simultaneously in English and American Sign Language, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA showcases some of your favorite tunes including “In My Own L...

Earlier this week, OKC Mayor David Holt gave his 2024 State of the City address at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. As a community, we have have a lot to be proud of – and even more on the horizon to look forward to! Here are three of the big highlights from this year's address:

💡 The Los Angeles Olympics announced plans to host 2028's softball and canoe slalom Olympic events right here in Oklahoma City! Although not a done deal yet, this symbolizes the value of OKC's reputation in the national and international community.
💡In December, Oklahomans approved construction of a new NBA and multipurpose arena with 71% of the vote in favor, allowing us to keep OKC a big league city for years to come.
💡 After years of planning, OKC is making fast progress on the $1.1 billion MAPS 4 investment, which includes 16 projects that will improve the quality of life in central Oklahoma.

Watch Mayor Holt's speech for yourself at https://loom.ly/FE2mrns and let us know in the comments what you are most excited about! ⬇️

State of the City 2024 Watch as Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt delivers the 2024 "State of the City" address. Learn more about Oklahoma City’s upcoming initiatives and future oppor...

Last Thursday, Inasmuch Foundation hosted its first ever event for the Community Fellowship Alumni at Chicken N Pickle - Oklahoma City. It was great seeing so many of the amazing former Fellows and catching up about all the incredible things they are up to.

If you are a Community Fellow Alum, join our group on LinkedIn at https://loom.ly/wWC3QqU. If you don't have a LinkedIn page, email Fellowship Coordinator Anne Hedrick at [email protected] so we can add you to our list and invite you to events like this in the future!

On Tuesday, June 25, OU Health hosted a Topping Out Ceremony for the new Stephenson Cancer Center at Norman Regional. 👷🏽⚒️ This celebration marked the completion of the exterior construction as focus shifts to the interior of this 50,000-square-foot building, which is expected to open in summer 2025 and will bring the highest level of cancer care to Norman and south central Oklahoma.

📸 Photo provided by OU

An Inasmuch grantee from the spring 2024 cycle, Calm Waters Center for Children and Families is a counseling center helping Oklahomans through their grief journey following death, divorce, or other significant loss. Their programs include support groups, private counseling, co-parenting seminars, and Camp Courage, a three-day, half-day art camp for children ages six through twelve. Camp Courage kicks off today and culminates with a gallery art show for friends and family on Thursday! 🎨

📸 Provided by Calm Waters

Just one month left to submit your application for Inasmuch Foundation's Fall 2024 grant cycle! Interested nonprofits should review the qualifications and apply by August 15 at https://loom.ly/WJsnllk.

💡 Inasmuch Foundation currently funds organizations serving the Oklahoma City core in the Community and Civic Engagement, Education, or Human Services focus areas and nationwide organizations in the journalism focus area.

On June 27, the Inasmuch Foundation Community Fellowship Class of 2024 gathered at Riversport OKC for a summer retreat. Fellows started the day exploring their core values, then heard from a panel of community leaders about the importance of leadership, community involvement and civic engagement. After lunch, the fellows got to experience whitewater rafting and all that Riversport has to offer!

A special thanks to the panelists who opened up about their personal experiences and provided thoughtful leadership insight for our fellows:
💙 Andre' Caldwell, Director & Senior Counsel for Mobility Surveillance and Bombers within The Boeing Company Defense, Space, & Security
💙 Perrin Duncan, Program Officer at Arnall Family Foundation and Community Fellowship Alum
💙 Commissioner Allie Friesen, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
💙 Mayor David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City & Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law

📸 Photographed by: Makenzie

As part of the Spring 2024 grant cycle, Inasmuch Foundation provided funding to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to address the city's lack of affordable housing through the development of a pocket neighborhood. Caritas Casitas will feature 12 units configured in six two-story vertical duplexes.

🔗 Learn about the project at https://loom.ly/Er15nyI.

👀 Calling all Community Fellowship Alumni, be sure to RSVP to our July 18 Event. ➡️ https://loom.ly/wWC3QqU Hoodies, door prizes, food and fun for those that attend!

If you are a Community Fellowship alum and you do NOT have a LinkedIn page, please email Anne Hedrick at [email protected] so she can communicate about upcoming events and opportunities!

🎉🌟 Congratulations to Bob Ross for being recognized in OKC FRIDAY's list of Most Powerful Oklahomans! 🌟🎉 Check out all the incredible individuals who were nominated alongside Bob at https://loom.ly/YY2B5Zw

Happy Fourth of July, OKC!

Applications for Inasmuch Foundation's Fall 2024 Grant Cycle are now open! Organizations meeting one of the following criteria are welcome to apply:

📌 Nonprofit organization serving Oklahoma City in the Community & Civic Engagement, Education, or Human Services focus areas
📌 State or local journalism organization from anywhere in the United States (there is no geographic restriction for journalism grants)

🔗 Learn more about Inasmuch Foundation's funding priorities and apply today at https://loom.ly/WJsnllk.

Inasmuch Foundation is proud to call Oklahoma City home. 💙 Since we founded in 1982, we have seen the city undergo an incredible economic and cultural transformation. Just this year, we learned that Oklahoma City is ranked...

🏅 The 20th largest city in the United States with over 700,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
🏅 The 14th fastest growing city in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
🏅The 16th best place to live in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report
🏅 The 5th best run city in the United States, according to WalletHub
🏅 The 10th best city for new college graduates in the United States, according to a study by Zumper as reported by The New York Times

Thank you for the role each of you play in making OKC a better place to live, work, and play!

📸: Hummingbird Aerials and Motion

Please join us in congratulating Inasmuch Senior Advisor Richard Davis on his 20th workiversary with the organization! Richard joined Inasmuch Foundation in 2004 as Chief Financial Officer and in 2022 transitioned to Senior Advisor. Inasmuch is grateful to have Richard on the team!

🚨 Calling all Inasmuch Foundation Community Fellowship alumni! 🚨Join our LinkedIn page to stay updated on alumni events, news, and exclusive opportunities! ➡️ https://loom.ly/wWC3QqU

If you do not have a LinkedIn page, please reach out to fellowship coordinator Anne Hedrick ([email protected]) to join the email list.

There are some exciting new events coming up you won't want to miss!

Earlier this month, the 2024 Youth Leadership Oklahoma class traveled across the state meeting Oklahoma leaders and touring important sites including the Philbrook Museum of Art (pictured). Inasmuch Foundation is honored to provide support for this program, and we love seeing how these outstanding high school students will shape our future.