News

Please feel free to browse our blog entries below. You can also search by keyword or category.

Association Updates Marnie's Mission Minute

Marnie's Mission Minute: The Crucial Role of Oklahoma's Nonprofits in Advocacy for Social Impact
Marnie's Mission Minute: The Crucial Role of Oklahoma's Nonprofits in Advocacy for Social Impact

Oklahoma’s thousands of unique nonprofits play an essential role in spurring social change and addressing some of our most difficult societal issues. Homelessness, food insecurity, child abuse, education and critical medical services are just some of the systemic problems nonprofits tackle... Continue Reading

Date posted01/19/2024


Marnie's Mission Minute: Kindness, caring characterize Debby Hampton
Marnie's Mission Minute: Kindness, caring characterize Debby Hampton

Justice. Kindness. Humility. Three words that, in my mind, characterize one person – Debby Hampton. After a more than 30-year career in the nonprofit sector, Debby recently decided to retire from her role as CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Her storied career of service is marked... Continue Reading

Date posted12/11/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Our Community Bonds Are Our Strengths
Marnie's Mission Minute: Our Community Bonds Are Our Strengths

Oklahomans are an independent, self-sufficient people. History books are littered with stories of the strength and resilience of our ancestors. Their spirit of autonomy shines through in our most cherished values and ideals. As Oklahomans, we still believe in and work for the American Dream, which... Continue Reading

Date posted11/14/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Serving Our State - A Mission for Every Oklahoman
Marnie's Mission Minute: Serving Our State - A Mission for Every Oklahoman

We’ve all seen the statistics. We’re familiar with the lackluster outcomes. We all know where Oklahoma falls in the rankings. Our state has a lot to overcome. But where do we even start? While I consider that question, the words of the late President John F. Kennedy ring in my head,... Continue Reading

Date posted11/13/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: The Importance of Home
Marnie's Mission Minute: The Importance of Home

As natural disasters displace thousands across the country and many parents are settling into an empty nest for the first time, I am reminded of the importance of home. Acting as a place of refuge and respite, home serves as our still point in the constantly turning world, as T.S. Eliot writes.... Continue Reading

Date posted09/12/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Advocacy essential to advance nonprofits, societal change
Marnie's Mission Minute: Advocacy essential to advance nonprofits, societal change

At the intersection of nonprofits and change lies advocacy. While many nonprofits work on the front lines of society’s largest issues, fewer attempt to address the problems’ systemic causes through public policy advocacy efforts. A new Independent Sector study finds that only 31% of... Continue Reading

Date posted08/15/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: A challenge – view life through lens of gratitude
Marnie's Mission Minute: A challenge – view life through lens of gratitude

The way we see the world can change over the course of a lifetime or in an instant. It can shift intentionally or unconsciously. The one constant is that the perspective we use to view our world and experiences directly correlates with our happiness. After working in the nonprofit sector for many... Continue Reading

Date posted07/12/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Faith-based Institutions Cornerstone of Nonprofit Sector
Marnie's Mission Minute: Faith-based Institutions Cornerstone of Nonprofit Sector

When I use the word “nonprofit” in my monthly article, many people probably think of a food bank, an arts center, or maybe an education center. Rarely do they think about Oklahoma’s various houses of worship. However, the largest – and most overlooked – part of the... Continue Reading

Date posted07/10/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Finding Fault Is Easy: Finding Solution Is More Appreciated
Marnie's Mission Minute: Finding Fault Is Easy: Finding Solution Is More Appreciated

Former President Teddy Roosevelt famously said, “It is not the critic who counts … The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” However, technology and social media gives critics a higher platform and louder microphone than ever before. From food to sports to... Continue Reading

Date posted05/8/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: The Certainty of The Nonprofit Sector
Marnie's Mission Minute: The Certainty of The Nonprofit Sector

Will another bank fail? Will the Fed raise interest rates again? Will the economy dip into a recession? Uncertainty is running at a fever pitch. There is not much in our world that we can rely on anymore, which can be pretty disconcerting; however, nonprofits remain steadfast. The sector is the... Continue Reading

Date posted04/10/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: House A&B Approves Legislation Exempting Nonprofits from Sales Tax
Marnie's Mission Minute: House A&B Approves Legislation Exempting Nonprofits from Sales Tax

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives Appropriations & Budget Committee has approved legislation to exempt 501(c)3 nonprofits from sales tax.Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, said making Oklahoma's 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organizations sales tax exempt has been one of... Continue Reading

Date posted03/13/2023


Marnie's Mission Minute: Tammy West Grateful to See First Access Program Launched
Marnie's Mission Minute: Tammy West Grateful to See First Access Program Launched

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Leader Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, on Friday commented on Oklahoma's new First Access program that will allow Oklahoma nonprofits, school districts and governmental entities the opportunity to purchase State Surplus items before they are made available at... Continue Reading

Date posted03/13/2023