Inasmuch Foundation

On October 8, OKC broke ground on a 36,000 sq ft facility for Diversion Hub, a multi-agency network providing wraparound support for individuals navigating the criminal justice system. Diversion Hub is a beautiful example of public/private partnership and the importance of interagency collaboration, and this new location will ensure their work can continue for years to come. Congratulations to Diversion Hub on this next chapter, and thank you to OKC's MAPS4 initiative and the Arnall Family Foundation for making this possible. 🎉

The Funders Roundtable met for the September Symposium on September 26, and Inasmuch enjoyed the opportunity to learn with peers in philanthropic funding! Here is a summary of the topics discussed... 📌 Data dashboards and how to track success with Jamie Caves & Erika Warren from the City of Oklahoma City's Key to Home program. Key to Home is an impressive partnership among 50+ organizations currently underway and halfway to the goal of housing 500 of OKC's chronically unhoused population by the end of 2025.
 📌 Grassroots community development with Vanessa Morrison & Deborah Richards from Open Design Collective. They are in the process of saving and restoring the historic Jewel Theatre.
 📌 Artificial intelligence in philanthropy and government with Justin Brown from Global True North and the Center for Public Sector AI

Congratulations to Sunbeam Family Services on the award of a $3.2 million federal grant to help expand Early Head Start, Head Start, and wraparound services for Oklahoma families and children. 🎉 One of Oklahoma's longest-serving nonprofits and a frequent Inasmuch Foundation grantee, Sunbeam was established in 1907 and serves more than 6,200 families every year. Learn more: https://loom.ly/8oYInpQ

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, and we want to take a minute to recognize the Wayfinder grant awarded by United Way of Central Oklahoma to Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. With this funding, Healthy Minds will conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of Oklahoma City behavioral health services and potential system refinements. Thank you, United Way, for supporting this initiative!

Congratulations to the team at Myriad Botanical Gardens for bringing Pumpkinville to life again this year. 🍂 If you haven't been yet, add it to your list. The festival is open through October 20th. Learn more and plan your visit at https://loom.ly/XFlRmNY. And a big THANK YOU to the funders who make Pumpkinville a possibility: Devon Energy, Delta Dental Ins., Bank of Oklahoma, MetroFamily Magazine, Midtown Renaissance, Tinker Federal Credit Union, IPGI and Midtown Vets.

Innovation Week, led by the OKC Innovation District, is an exciting opportunity for Oklahoma City Public Schools students to dive into hands-on STEAM activities at the Science Museum Oklahoma, sparking creativity, curiosity, and excitement for future careers in STEAM. 🔬 Who benefits? In the past two years, Innovation Week has impacted around 900 7th graders from OKCPS schools and two private schools on the Eastside of #OKC. This year, the Innovation District expanded their reach to 1,200 students! 🎯 Why it matters: 91% of the students who attend Innovation Week come from economically disadvantaged households. It's crucial that they see a future in STEAM, right here in #Oklahoma, and know that their goals are not only achievable—they’re within reach. I am so grateful to all of the sponsors, supporters, volunteers, educators, and professionals who made this week possible. What a highlight to see these kids get excited about STEAM, make slime, put on lab suits, experience VR, and SO MUCH MORE! YOU ROCK: Arnall Family Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, Rogers State University, Federal Aviation Administration, DOVE SCHOOLS, SWOSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY RURAL HEALTH NETWORK, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, Our Blood Institute, BioTC Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, National Association of Women in Construction, Boiling Point Media, Class Matters Inc., Cytovance Biologics, and all who were involved. 💙

Did you know that 1 in 7 Oklahomans are uninsured or underinsured? The Health Alliance for the Uninsured makes quality health care available to Oklahoma’s vulnerable populations by helping them navigate complex healthcare referral networks, coordinating specialist care, assisting with prescription fulfillment, and centralizing information on free and charitable clinics. Health care saves lives, and Inasmuch is proud to support HAU. If you are uninsured and need help, contact HAU at (405) 286-3343.

Earlier this month, Inasmuch Foundation Senior Program Officer Tyler Tokarczyk attended the inaugural Press Forward Funders Summit in Chicago, IL. Press Forward is a national coalition of funders invested in strengthening local newsrooms, and at the summit, we helped set priorities and shape strategic direction for the movement. In Chicago, we looked ahead to the future of the coalition, but today we want to pause and reflect on its progress. 🎉 In the one year since launch, Press Forward has grown to include 62 funders and 25 chapters with an expected $100 million invested in local newsrooms!

Exciting moments in education and community engagement! 🎉 On September 5, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for a brand-new Oklahoma City Thunder basketball court at Mark Twain Elementary. 🔗 Learn more at https://loom.ly/Wk-Ca-o In the video below by OKC Good, Mark Twain Elementary School and Devon Energy showcase why public and private partnerships are vital as they foster collaboration, leverage resources, and create innovative solutions that ultimately improve the quality of schools in the community.

Have you seen the Code of the West exhibit at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum? This interactive installation allows guests to explore personal character traits through the ethos of the American Cowboy. Code of the West is the first in a series of projects over the next three years that are part of the Museum's Live the Code capital campaign, raising $40 million to modernize its guest experiences and infrastructure. On August 15, Inasmuch Foundation awarded a $3 million gift to the Museum's ongoing Live the Code. Check out the press release ➡️ 🔗 https://loom.ly/3PfCMUw