Oklahoma Public A new nonprofit organization will lead the way for individuals and businesses to invest in Oklahoma’s public schools.
Formed through partnerships with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, the Oklahoma Public Schools Foundation will champion investment in public schools across the state.
OKPSF will focus on facilitating and raising awareness of the tax credits created by Oklahoma’s Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act. The program, adopted in 2021 as an expansion of a law initially passed in 2011, incentivizes direct investment in Oklahoma’s public schools by allowing donors to give to designated educational improvement projects at the district of their choice and then reduce their state tax bill through a tax credit.
“These tax credits have created an incredible opportunity for Oklahomans to strengthen public schools,” said OKPSF Director Lauren Dow. “Donors can maximize their tax benefits while putting their dollars toward worthy, innovative programs that impact Oklahoma students in a big way.”
The donations must go to an eligible public school foundation, public school district or educational improvement granting organization to be eligible. OKPSF will operate as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit and a public school foundation, partnering with public school districts and collaborating with existing local education foundations to maximize support for public schools.
OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody said the new foundation ties back to OFE’s founding and mission to recognize and encourage academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.
“From the beginning, our nonprofit has focused on how private investment dollars are vital to public education in Oklahoma,” Inbody said. “OFE leadership felt that this was the right time and opportunity for us to broaden our reach and impact with this type of foundation, and we found the right partner in the OSSBA.”
The OSSBA works to promote quality public education for the children of Oklahoma through training, support and information services to the state’s locally elected school board members and the districts they serve.
“We are profoundly grateful for the generosity shown by Oklahomans who support public education,” said Dr. Shawn Hime, executive director of the OSSBA. “This new partnership will open the door for even more opportunities to invest in students, teachers and the longterm success of our state. This foundation will help ensure that goodwill and the generous nature of Oklahomans translate into even greater opportunities for schools and students.”
The program focuses on one- and two-year gifts. One-time gifts are eligible for a 50% state tax credit, while gifts given in two consecutive years are eligible for a 75% tax credit.
A person filing as an individual can receive a state tax credit of up to $1,000; couples filing jointly are eligible to receive up to $2,000; and a qualified business entity can receive up to $100,000 in tax credits.
Dr. Joe Siano, OSSBA associate executive director and a member of OFE’s board of trustees, serves as OKPSF’s board president. Other board members include Anthony Childers, general counsel for Oklahoma City Public Schools; Brooke Clark, relationship manager of institutional wealth at BOK Financial; and Dr. Gregg Garn, deputy athletic director of performance excellence at the University of Oklahoma.
Those wishing to learn more about the foundation can visit OKPSF.org.
