Inasmuch Foundation distributes $4.77M in grants to OK organizations

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Nov 9, 2004 by Journal Record staff

The Inasmuch Foundation has announced the distribution of $4.77 million in grants to 66 Oklahoma organizations, marking the largest total grant distribution in Oklahoma in the foundation's 22-year history.

The grants included $3 million to Oklahoma City University for the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center which will serve as the new home for OCU's School of American Dance and Arts Management.

The total cost to renovate the building, which formerly housed OCU's Meinders School of Business, is estimated at $6.7 million. University trustee and Oklahoma City philanthropist Ann Lacy is contributing the remaining $3.7 million toward the renovation and new construction. Construction will be completed in the fall of 2006.

University of Central Oklahoma's College of Mathematics and Science received a $300,000 Inasmuch grant for construction of new science laboratories in Howell Hall.

Grants ranging between $50,000 to $125,000 include City Rescue Mission, Lyric Theatre, Mount Saint Mary High School, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Sacred Heart Catholic Church for the benefit of the Sacred Heart Retirement Center, Salvation Army, Women's Foundation of Oklahoma and World Neighbors.

Additional grants to organizations in the Greater Oklahoma City community include Ballet Oklahoma, Birth Choice of Oklahoma, Business Circle for Arts Education, Canterbury Choral Society, CarePoint, Center for Children and Families, Chamber Music in Oklahoma, Cimarron Circuit Opera Co., Community Literacy Center, Katheryne B. Payne Education Center; Leadership Oklahoma, Myriad Garden Foundation, Oklahoma City Community College Foundation, Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation; Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, Oklahoma Youth Symphonies, Pioneer Library Systems in Norman, Possibilities Inc., Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April OKC, Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, United Way of Central Oklahoma and Vietnamese American Association.

Edith Kinney Gaylord founded the Inasmuch Foundation in 1982 to support charitable, scientific and educational causes that enhance the progress and quality of life for Oklahomans.

The Inasmuch Foundation is committed to the vision of its founder, Edith Kinney Gaylord, who strived to enrich the quality of life for all Oklahomans, said Robert J. Ross, vice president and executive director of the Inasmuch Foundation.