The Tulsa Area United Way and Tulsa Community Foundation have partnered to collect donations to provide funding for local relief efforts in the Tulsa area related to hardships from the recent storm.
Residents are urged to donate to the “Wind Storm Relief Fund” online or by mail. The fund is now accepting donations to help those suffering from the recent storm event of June 18.
Donations can be made securely online at www.tulsacf.org/windstormrelief. Donations by check should be made payable to Tulsa Community Foundation and include “Wind Storm Relief Fund” in the memo of the check. Mail checks to Tulsa Community Foundation, 7030 S. Yale Ave., Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma led off the fund, announcing $75,000 from the AEP Foundation. They have seen firsthand the destruction in our community.
Other contributors to the relief fund at this time include:
George Kaiser Family Foundation – $250,000
Hale Family Foundation – $50,000
Hardesty Family Foundation – $50,000
Hille Family Foundation – $25,000
Nadel and Gussman Energy, LLC – $30,000
Once funds are collected, Tulsa Community Foundation will work with the Tulsa Area United Way to receive grant applications from nonprofit organizations and other service providers providing direct services to storm victims. Both organizations will ensure grants are made to legitimate service organizations.
Each donation (100%) will assist not-for-profit organizations directly assisting residents of Tulsa, Wagoner, Creek, Osage, Rogers and Okmulgee counties affected by the June 2023 storm. Experienced volunteers and professionals representing both TAUW and TCF will review proposals from area nonprofit organizations.
Awarded grants will assist organizations in covering unexpected operating costs, as well as expenses related to direct services for those affected by the storm, including but not limited to shelter, food, home repair, and other disaster relief and emergency assistance services. Special emphasis will be placed on services for low-income, elderly, disabled and other special needs populations.
Both Tulsa Area United Way and non-United Way partner nonprofit organizations will be considered for funding. Instructions for organizations to submit a grant application will be announced in the coming days on www.tulsacf.org and www.tauw.org.
The Wind Storm Relief Fund will remain in effect as long as necessary to serve those in need.
“Our nonprofit community and a network of incredible volunteers are responding alongside those working heroically to restore power and keep the community safe in high temperatures,” said Alison Anthony, President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “This Wind Storm Relief Fund will provide critical help for so many facing unexpected needs and expenses. Contributions to this fund will enable organizations to ease suffering of Tulsa-area residents as they struggle to recover from this event.”
Public Service Company of Oklahoma has stepped up with the lead contribution of $75,000 for the fund. They have seen firsthand the destruction in our community.
“It is times like these that Eastern Oklahoma’s spirit of generosity and eagerness to help those in need is most evident,” said Phil Lakin, Jr., Tulsa Community Foundation CEO. “This natural disaster affected all of us – literally. Some in our community have been hit especially hard and do not have the resources necessary to replace even the most basic needs, like the spoiled food they had to discard. Together, though, we can lift the burdens from these people and show once again that Tulsa is America’s most generous city.”
The Tulsa Area United Way (TAUW) is in its 99th year of service to the Tulsa area. During TAUW’s annual Day of Caring events, more than 6,300 volunteers provide direct service to area schools and nonprofits. To improve lives and strengthen communities, TAUW — with thousands of individual donors and companies — raises more than $25 million each year to support innovation grants, collaborative initiatives, shared technology services, and human services organizations. This means 170+ programs within Tulsa, Creek, Rogers, Okmulgee, Osage, and Wagoner counties empower a community working together to ensure that all its members flourish and thrive.
Among the largest community foundations in America, Tulsa Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, public charity organized in 1998 to be the recognized, community-owned organization that initiates, teaches and encourages personal and corporate charitable giving today to ensure the philanthropic needs of Oklahoma can be met for all generations.