City of Muskogee Foundation
The City of Muskogee Foundation is a community foundation created by the City of Muskogee, Oklahoma (which is also the Foundation's sole owner) to manage over $100 million in assets it received from the lease of its City-owned hospital. Each year, the Foundation grants over $2 million to community organizations and non-profit groups throughout the Muskogee community.
| Founded | June 24, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Type | Community foundation (IRS exemption status): 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | Education, Healthcare, Economic Development |
| Location | |
Area served | Greater Muskogee area |
| Method | Donations and Grants |
| Owner | City of Muskogee, Oklahoma |
Key people | John Tyler Hammons, Mayor John Barton, Chair Frank Merrick, Executive Director |
| Endowment | US$ 100 million |
Employees | 4 |
| Website | City of Muskgee Foundation |
Appointed by Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons, the current chair of the Board of Directors is John Barton, having served in that capacity since the Foundation was established in 2008.
Mission statement
The mission statement of the Foundation is "Making a Real Difference" for Muskogee.
History
2007 - The Foundation's history begins in March 2007 when the City of Muskogee entered into a 40 year lease agreement with Capella Healthcare to operate the City's hospital, Muskogee Regional Medical Center. The Foundation was founded from the net proceeds of the agreement.
2008 - The Foundation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma on June 24, 2008. The purpose of the Foundation is to issue grants to qualified non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for Muskogee residents.
2009 - In its inaugural granting year, the Foundation reinvested almost $1 million in grant money back into the Muskogee community.
Leadership
Board of Directors
To manage the Foundation, the Muskogee City Council established a 13-member Board of Directors to oversee the Foundation. The board consists of the mayor of Muskogee, and the city manager of Muskogee, two members of the Muskogee City Council and nine at-large members appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Council. The mayor and city manager serve as permanent ex officio member, the city councilors serve two-year terms, and the at-large members serve staggered three-year terms.
As of 2009, the Board of Directors for the Foundation is as follows:
- John Barton - Chair
- David Ragsdale, Jr. - 1st Vice Chair and City Councilmember
- James Gulley - 2nd Vice Chair and City Councilmember
- Martha Alford - Secretary and Chair of the Opportunities Committee
- Sharon Parks - Treasurer
- John Tyler Hammons - Mayor
- Greg Buckley - City Manager
- Janey Boydston
- Earnie Gilder - Chair of Economic Development Committee
- Darrell Hamby
- Timothy Holder, M.D. - Chair of Healthcare Committee
- D'Elbie Walker - Chair of Education Committee
- Mike Webb
Management
The Board appoints the Executive Director of the Foundation to serve at its pleasure. The current Executive Director is Frank Merrick, who has served in the position since the Foundation was established in 2008.