OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, January 4, 2022—Today the Kirkpatrick Family Fund announced the distribution of $4.31 million in grants to 109 organizations for the first half of its 2022 fiscal year (July 1–December 31) in the areas of animal welfare; arts & humanities; children, youth & families; community development; education; environment; health; and social services. Since it was founded in 1989, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has contributed more than $127 million to qualified nonprofit organizations that work to advance cultural, intellectual, and social interests in central Oklahoma and Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
“For the past 32 years, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has enjoyed investing in organizations with immense devotion and vision for strengthening our community,” said Christian Keesee, President, Kirkpatrick Family Fund. “The grantees recently supported are thinking outside the box and working tirelessly to impact those they serve during a time where so much has been in question. We are proud to be their encouraging partner and support their important work.”
Recently awarded a grant by the Family Fund is the Oklahoma City Repertory Theater, a local organization dedicated to championing new ways of making theater, supporting innovative artists, and growing the cultural ecology of Oklahoma City. General operating support will help the nonprofit get through the 2022 season.
“To say we are thrilled with the support from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund is definitely an understatement,” said Kelly Kerwin, Artistic Director, Oklahoma City Repertory Theater. “The guidance and funding from the Family Fund will be crucial in strengthening our infrastructure, and it will help ensure our organization can produce theatrical works that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.”
Another organization benefiting from the support of the Family Fund is Carpenter Square Theatre, a performing arts organization committed to entertainieducating,ting and enriching the community with live, unedited theater. The theater is undergoing renovations for a larger space to be unveiled in spring 2022 that will help the organization continue to provide its unique blend of award-winning modern works, from comedy classics, to outlandish musicals.
“Carpenter Square Theatre deeply appreciates the support the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has provided for several years,” said Rick Allen Lippert, Board Chair, Carpenter Square Theatre. “The support is in part assisting with a warehouse renovation that will be our new home when we resume presenting plays this spring.”
“The Kirkpatrick Family Fund has established a legacy of giving that will continue to benefit future generations in central Oklahoma thanks to the philanthropic foresight of our founders, John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick,” said Liz Eickman, Director, Kirkpatrick Family Fund. “We are committed to providing significant resources and the support our nonprofits need to remain strong, impactful, and sustainable for the future.”
Project support for small grants ($10,000 or less) and matching endowment grant requests are on a r quarterly deadline of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. General operating and large grant applications will be accepted biannually on March 1 and September 1. To learn more about the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, visit kirkpatrickfamilyfund.org.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund was founded by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick in 1989 and is the largest affiliated fund in the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The organization remains committed to adhering to the priorities and guiding principles of its founders through the leadership of Trustee and President, Christian K. Keesee, the grandson of John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick.
Grants awarded by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to organizations and projects in the first half of fiscal year 2022 are as follows:
Animal Welfare: $263,000
Arts & Humanities: $2,653,500
Children, Youth, & Families: $135,000
Community Development: $497,500
Education: $92,000
Environment: $31,000
Health: $309,000
Human Services: $329,000
