OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 19, 2017) – The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools (FOKCPS) is one of two dozen Oklahoma organizations named finalists for a $10,000 award and title of the state’s top nonprofit. The prestigious Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards are annually presented by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

“The Foundation is honored to be selected as a finalist for the ONE Awards,” said Mary Mélon, president and CEO of FOKCPS. “Our organization works tirelessly to help improve the educational experience of our students and build strong community support for lasting change in Oklahoma City Public Schools. We are so proud to be recognized for these efforts alongside such an amazing group of finalists.”

On April 29, the 24 finalists will join supporters at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center to celebrate and hear the announcement of winners at the tenth annual ONE Awards. Finalists are divided into eight mission categories and receive $5,000; category winners receive $7,500. At the end of the evening, an overall winner receives $10,000 and the title of top nonprofit in the state. In total, organizations receive $150,000 to recognize the impact of their charitable work throughout the state. In April, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits will have given $1.5 million dollars to more than 150 Oklahoma nonprofits through the ONE Awards.
This year, the Center will recognize the work of all past winners. Tulsans Billie and Howard Barnett will chair the 2017 ONE Awards.

“This is one of the best nights of the year for nonprofits,” Billie Barnett said. “Every single person in the room is so enthusiastic. There is such an energy there. It’s indescribable. And best of all, every nonprofit honored goes home a winner thanks to the generosity of our visionary sponsors.”

Mélon thanked the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits for being named a finalist and the generous donation.

“The visibility our organization will receive to new volunteers, donors and public school advocates from the ONE Awards is invaluable,” said Mélon. “We have made so much progress in the past two years, but the needs for our school district continue to grow. Our 46,000 students are counting on us. It will take continued focus, alignment and impact to create lasting change.”

Out of almost 19,000 nonprofits statewide, only 24 were named finalists.

Awards are presented in eight categories:
• Arts and Humanities
• Community
• Education
• Health Services
• Self-Sufficiency
• Seniors
• Youth Development
• Open

The ONE Awards Selection Commission, a group of prestigious community leaders from across Oklahoma, determines the finalists. The commission, chaired by David Hogan, includes Kathie Coyle, Nance Diamond, J. Jerry Dickman, Lisa Greenlee, Kim Henry, Phil Lakin Jr., Frank Merrick, Polly Nichols, Meg Salyer, Wendi Schuur and Mary Kate Wilson.

“The finalists are recognized not merely for their efforts to better their community but for their quality of process toward that effort,” said David Hogan, chairman of the ONE Awards Selection Commission. “From top-level management to part-time staff, these are committed individuals working together for the greater good of all Oklahomans.”

To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information for the 2017 ONE Awards, please call (800) 338-1798 or visit www.okcnp.org. The Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center is located at 6808 South 107th East Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133.

The ONE Awards sponsors include the Potts Family Foundation, The Barnett Family Foundation, Boeing, The H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations, The Chickasaw Nation, Chahta Foundation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation, Moran Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation.