Who We Are
The Organization
Impact Oklahoma focuses on five nonprofit disciplines: Family, Health
and Wellness, Education, Community and Culture. The fields of interest
are those women care about … the ones that make our community stronger
and better for everyone.
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How It Started
Impact Oklahoma was started in 2003 by a group of friends who wanted to
contribute something significant to their community. These women, while
on a “girls weekend,” discussed a magazine article Page Beatty had seen,
about Impact 100 — the first Impact group, which was started in Cincinnati.
They contacted another friend, a banker, to help them with the financial
aspects. After a year of planning and organizing, and an inaugural year of
membership recruiting, Impact Oklahoma gave its first grant in 2005.
How It Works
Impact Oklahoma’s administration is completely volunteer, including a 100% working board of directors.
All administrative costs for Impact Oklahoma are paid for by Friends of Impact, sponsors, interest on membership money and money raised through outside development efforts.
In 2009, Impact Oklahoma created an endowment with part of its administrative funds, the benefits and interest from which will provide long-term sustainability for the organization. Additionally, we have administrative monies available in an interest bearing account.
The result of this planning? Your entire $1,000 gift goes to the grant
recipients chosen each year.
Increasing Philanthropy
One of the goals of Impact Oklahoma is to increase philanthropy in Central Oklahoma. We do this in two ways. First, we open the doors to women who previously may not have had a chance to be involved in philanthropy in any real way. We believe that through involvement in Impact Oklahoma, our members will enjoy the true sense of satisfaction that comes with giving back to the community and seeing the impact of our actions.
In addition, we hope to raise awareness among our members of the many worthwhile non-profit organizations serving Central Oklahoma through our foundation’s research and due diligence. This knowledge may inspire our members to become involved with the agencies in a more personal way.
Your Involvement
As a woman, you are usually asked to contribute your time. Impact Oklahoma invites you to go beyond that to participate in the highest levels of charitable giving. You may choose a level of involvement compatible with your interests and time constraints. Members may choose to participate only in the annual voting process, or they may play a more active role in helping Impact Oklahoma meet the needs of Central Oklahoma.
Board of Directors
- Melinda Olbert - President
- Janet Hudson – President Elect
- Carrie Palmer – Legal Advisor/Secretary
- Nancy Hyde – Treasurer
- Theresa Todd - Membership Co-Chair
- Jackie Davis - Membership Co-Chair
- Pam Newby – Grant Chair
- Susan Zubik - Grant Co-Chair
- Susan Carr – Derby Down Co-Chair
- Jane Thompson – Derby Down Co-Chair
- Joan Lawson – Financial/Grants
- Laura Ingram – Development Chair
- Anne Holzberlein – Member at Large
- Page Beatty – Immediate Past President
- Susan Amis – Executive Director
