Inasmuch Foundation Explained

Inasmuch Foundation is a grant-making foundation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It provides financial contributions within the community and civic engagement, education, human services, and journalism fields. Grantmaking within community and civic engagement, education, and human services is specific to nonprofit organizations serving Oklahoma City. Grants within the journalism focus area are open to organizations nationwide. The organization administers an open request cycle each fall and spring, as well as an invitation-only grant cycle in the summer.^{[1] [2]}

Edith Kinney Gaylord established Inasmuch Foundation and Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation in 1982 as two separate entities, and in 2014, the corporate entities merged and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Inasmuch Foundation. The transition was completed in 2020 with the launch of a new, consolidated brand and website.^[3]

In 2023, Inasmuch Foundation reached an inflection point with the distribution of more than $350 million in grants, an amount that surpasses founder Edith Kinney Gaylord’s original contributions to Inasmuch Foundation. That same year, Inasmuch released a 40^th Anniversary Report with details on the past, present, and future of the organization.^{[4] [5]}

As of 2023, Inasmuch Foundation provides an average of $25 million plus in grants per fiscal year. Additionally, the endowment has grown to a current value of more than $550 million.

Leadership

Inasmuch Foundation was founded in 1982 by Edith Kinney Gaylord.^[6]

Robert J. Ross has served as President of Inasmuch Foundation since 2005 and was elected Chairman in 2019. He originally joined the Inasmuch team in 2003 as Executive Director and Vice President of the Board.

Mission

Inasmuch Foundation champions community and civic engagement, education, human services, and journalism to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans.^[7]

Name

The foundation takes its name from the Gospel of Saint Matthew,^[8] "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Grant recipients

Since its founding in 1982, Inasmuch Foundation has supported over 250 non-profit organizations. Grant recipients have included:

• City Care^[9]
• Homeless Alliance^[10]
• Lyric Theater^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]}
• Myriad Botanical Gardens^[16]
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art^[17]
• Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum^[18]
• Oklahoma Media Center^{[19] [20]}
• Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden (Oklahoma Zoological Society)^{[21] [22] [23]}
• Positive Tomorrows
• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma^{[24] [25] [26]}
• ReMerge of Oklahoma County^[27]
• Sunbeam Family Services
• United Way of Central Oklahoma^[28]
• University of Oklahoma
  • Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication^{[29] [30]}
• Upward Transitions^[31]

Notable contributions

Inasmuch Foundation promotes itself as a leader in public/private partnerships and collaborative problem-solving. Some of Inasmuch Foundation’s notable projects include…

• The Ecosystem Engagement Fund, a multiphase study conducted by Oklahoma Media Center (OMC) and funded by Kirkpatrick Foundation in Oklahoma City. In the first two stages, OMC conducted scientific polling to identify how Oklahomans consume news and performed academic field research to gather input from rural news deserts and underserved communities. After gathering and analyzing this information, OMC performed newsroom training to interpret key research findings and construct a plan to put the study’s recommendations into practice. In the final phase, Inasmuch Foundation distributed $100,000 in grants to newsrooms who developed programs aimed at implementing what they learned and building trust among readers.^[32]
• Key to Home, a large-scale public/private partnership involving over 40 member agencies working together to house and provide wrap around support to Oklahoma City’s chronically unsheltered population.^[33] In 2019, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt convened a Homelessness Task Force co-chaired by Inasmuch Foundation Chairman and CEO, Bob Ross and Arnall Family Foundation President Sue Ann Arnall. Inasmuch Foundation, Arnall Family Foundation and the City of Oklahoma City provided resources to commission research on challenges and solutions as well as development of a comprehensive plan to address the problem, which ultimately resulted in the Key to Home program.^[34] Key to Home plans to house 500% of Oklahoma City’s unsheltered population within two years and is funded with a combination of federal grants, municipal allocations, and private support. Key to Home is modeled off a previously successful effort out of Houston, Texas that housed 25,000 of the city’s unsheltered population over ten years.^[35]
• Oklahoma City Educare, which was introduced to Oklahoma City in 2007 thanks to a collaboration among Inasmuch Foundation, Sunbeam Family Services, Community Action Agency, and Oklahoma City Public Schools.^[36] Part of the national Educare Learning Network, Oklahoma City Educare serves 200 children and their families and takes a holistic approach to education by addressing mental and emotional health through family engagement. Oklahoma City Educare is one of several in the state and the first Educare location in the nation to be certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.^{[37] [38] [39]}
• Inasmuch Foundation, along with more than 50 community partners, established ReMerge of Oklahoma County in 2011. The organization serves mothers of minor children who are facing non-violent felony charges in Oklahoma County. To date, ReMerge has graduated 193 women who parent a total of 474 minor children. ReMerge has saved the state of Oklahoma more than $47 million dollars by providing a pathway for mothers to be restored to our community rather than incarcerated and separated from their children.^[40]

References

1. Web site: Requests Inasmuch Foundation . 2024-06-13 . inasmuchfoundation.org.
2. News: March 8, 2020 . Inasmuch Foundation announces strategic changes . The Oklahoman.
3. Web site: Candid . Inasmuch Foundation Announces Consolidation, Strategic Changes . 2024-06-13 . Philanthropy News Digest (PND) . en.
4. Web site: 40 years of impact: Inasmuch Foundation’s legacy in Oklahoma City . 2024-06-13 . www.velocityokc.com . en-US.
5. Web site: Staff . Journal Record . 2023-08-18 . Notching 4 decades of philanthropy, Inasmuch Foundation has much to celebrate The Journal Record . 2024-06-13 . en-US.
6. Web site: Our History Inasmuch Foundation . 2024-06-13 . inasmuchfoundation.org.
7. Web site: Inasmuch Foundation . 2024-06-13 . inasmuchfoundation.org.
8. [Matthew 25:40]
9. Web site: Candid . Inasmuch Foundation Awards $6.46 Million to Oklahoma Nonprofits . 2024-06-13 . Philanthropy News Digest (PND) . en.
10. News: May 27, 2017 . Inasmuch Foundation awards $4.6 million in grants . The Oklahoman.
11. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/arts/2006/06/08/lyric-theatre-plans-10-million-capital-campaign/61879020007/ Lyric Theatre plans $10 million capital campaign
12. Web site: Galloway . Miki . 2013-03-22 . Helping Lyric Give Back . 2024-06-13 . Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma . en-US.
13. News: Rogers . Rick . June 7, 2006 . Lyric Theatre announces capital campaign . The Oklahoman.
14. News: June 8, 2006 . Lyric Theatre campaign launched: Plaza renovation planned . The Journal Record.
15. Web site: 2023-01-17 . Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Announces 2023 Season . 2024-06-13 . www.visitokc.com . en-us.
16. Web site: 2020-08-20 . Inasmuch Foundation makes lead gift to renovate Crystal Bridge at Myriad Botanical Gardens . 2024-06-13 . www.visitokc.com . en-us.
17. Web site: Season Sponsors . 2024-06-13 . Oklahoma City Museum of Art OKCMOA . en-US.
18. News: November 22, 2019 . Memorial awarded $2.5M Inasmuch Foundation grant . The Journal Record.
19. Web site: OU Daily among 12 Oklahoma outlets chosen in $100,000 project to cultivate trust in local journalism . 2024-06-13 . www.ou.edu . en-US.
20. Web site: 2021-12-13 . Inasmuch Foundation makes significant new investment in Oklahoma Media Center . 2024-06-13 . Local Media Association .
21. News: May 14, 2010 . Oklahoma organizations awarded $5.5 million in grants . The Oklahoman.
22. News: Elrod . Zoe . March 27, 2024 . Expedition Africa at Okla City Zoo is Largest Expansion Yet . Oklahoma City Free Press.
23. News: Shelden . Darla . April 29, 2024 . OKC Zoo opens the long-awaited Expedition Africa . City News OKC.
24. News: May 24, 2013 . Inasmuch Foundation awards grant to food bank . The Journal Record.
25. Web site: Candid . Inasmuch Foundation Awards $5.4 Million to Oklahoma Nonprofits . 2024-06-13 . Philanthropy News Digest (PND) . en.
26. Web site: Regional Food Bank Annual Report 2019 .
27. News: Dulaney . Josh . October 27, 2018 . ReMerge program for women looking forward to new OKC home . The Oklahoman.
28. News: November 24, 2015 . Oklahoma's Inasmuch Foundation announces grant distributions . The Oklahoman.
29. Web site: Spotlight on Inasmuch Foundation . 2024-06-13 . www.ou.edu . en-US.
30. News: May 22, 2006 . Inasmuch Foundation announces $13.67 M in grants . The Journal Record.
31. Web site: Dewart . Conna . 2024-01-17 . Upward Transitions Receives $100,000 Grant from the Inasmuch Foundation . 2024-06-13 . Upward Transitions . en-US.
32. Web site: Center . Oklahoma Media . 2023-04-03 . Moving the needle on trusting and supporting local news organizations . 2024-06-13 . Oklahoma Media Center . en-US.
33. News: Smith . Jessie Christopher . February 11, 2024 . Oklahoma City initiative gaining ground as dozens of homeless housed, camps cleared . The Oklahoman.
34. Web site: October 1, 2021 . OKC releases strategies to address homelessness . City of Oklahoma City.
35. News: Lee . Christopher . June 14, 2022 . How Houston Moved 25,000 People From the Streets Into Homes of Their Own . The New York Times.
36. News: Kleinman . Wendy . November 5, 2007 . Educare center to help kids adjust . The Oklahoman.
37. News: Piersol . Ryan . September 25, 2009 . Locals Help Make New OKC Educare Facility A Reality . OKC Friday.
38. News: Kleinman . Wendy . November 6, 2007 . What they're saying: Educare groundbreaking . The Oklahoman.
39. News: Terry . Lea . October 29, 2009 . OKC education center focuses on low-income families to help young children succeed . Oklahoma Gazette.
40. Web site: OKC VeloCity How ReMerge empowers mothers for a brighter future . 2024-06-13 . www.velocityokc.com . en-US.