Lawton

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Longtime Lawton Organization

Loves Helping

2017 Annual Report

L a w t o n C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n2

Dear Donors and Friends,On behalf of the Trustees of the Lawton Community Foundation, I delight in sharing with you the 2017 Annual Report.

The Lawton Community Foundation takes pride in facilitating philanthropy throughout southwest Oklahoma. We hope you’ll be captivated by stories of generosity spread by our local charitable organizations, and we hope you’ll witness just how much they are needed throughout this community. These stories validate why the Lawton Community Foundation exists – to offer donors an easy way to support our nonprofits and help their mission endure.

Since 1999, the generosity of our donors has allowed us to reinvest more than $4.5 million back into the Lawton area through scholarships, community and matching grants and endowment distributions to charitable organizations. As an affiliate of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, our endowments are invested together with a general pool. In Fiscal Year 2017, the performance of our pooled investments was 11.08 percent, which is considerably higher than both last year’s performance and that of our peer groups. As of June 30, 2017, the total assets of the Lawton Community Foundation were $8,961,052.

This year, the Lawton Community Foundation helped enrich the programs of 19 charitable organizations by awarding $69,100 in grants through our Community Grants and Matching Grants programs. We also awarded $20,000 in scholarships to 10 Lawton-area high school graduates through our Lawton Community Foundation Scholars program.

As you read through the highlights of 2017, we hope you are as inspired as we are about the generosity that is shaping our community. As we look forward to 2018, we are excited to see how, by working together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on Lawton and the surrounding area.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 580/353-4747 or visit LawtonCF.org.

George Bridges, DDSPresidentBoard of Trustees

TrusteesGeorge Bridges, President

Lee Baxter

Janice Bell

Preston Holsinger

Michael Mayhall

John McArthur

Hossein Moini

David Towe

Nancy B. Anthony Assistant Secretary & Treasurer

Gene Love ex officio

George BridgesLawton Community Foundation President

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Note A: Equity performance is compared to the Russell 3000 stock index and the MSCI ACWI exUS International equity index; fixed income performance is compared to the Barclays Capital Government/Credit Intermediate bond index (Barclays Capital G/C Int) and total return is compared to a composite of these three indices.

Note B: Equity performance is compared to the Standard and Poor’s 500 stock index (S&P500); fixed income performance is compared to Barclays Capital Government/Credit Intermediate bond index (Barclays Capital G/C Int) and total return is compared to a composite of these two indices.

Fiscal Year 2017 Investment PerformancePooled Investments as of June 30, 2017 Fiscal Year Three Years Five Years 10 YearsEQUITIESOklahoma City Community Foundation 18.27% 7.73% 12.83% 6.48%

S&P 500 17.90% 9.61% 14.63% 7.18%

Russell 3000 18.51% 9.10% 14.58% 7.26%

MSCI ACWI ex US 21.00% 1.27% 7.70% 1.59%

FIXED INCOMEOklahoma City Community Foundation -0.10% 1.75% 1.74% 3.92%

Barclays Capital G/C Int -0.21% 1.73% 1.77% 3.87%

TOTAL RETURNOklahoma City Community Foundation 11.08% 5.46% 8.37% 5.63%

50% Russell3000/15%MSCI ACWI/ 35% Barclays Capital G/C Int (Note A) 11.98% 5.46% 9.01% 5.50%

65% S&P500/35% Barclays Capital G/C Int (Note B) 11.29% 7.00% 10.09% 6.30%

How Can You Support the Lawton Community?It’s EasyAn advised fund is a simple, flexible and tax-efficient way to support your favorite charities! Gifts to an advised fund earns you an immediate tax deduction – even if you haven’t selected which charity you wish to give to just yet.

The Lawton Community Foundation has three types of advised funds to choose from, with minimums ranging from $1,000-$20,000. Our advised funds offer low, competitive fees, and we provide administrative support to help make charitable giving simple. Advised funds can be established with a gift of cash or other assets such as real estate, appreciated securities, oil and gas royalty interests or a life insurance policy.

Planning for Better Tomorrows The Lawton Community Foundation ensures your charitable gifts will be used for good and forever.

An outright gift to charity provides a one-time benefit, while a gift to a permanent endowment at the Lawton Community Foundation allows the gift to be invested and distributed year after year.

Even if now is not the best time, by designating a gift through your will or trust, you can maintain your current cash flow and preserve your assets for retirement. Contact us to learn more about the following giving options:- Real estate including homes, acreages or business properties- Appreciated securities such as common and closely-held stock,

bonds and mutual funds- Oil and gas royalty interests- Life insurance policies- Retirement plans

Make the Most of Your IRA Required Minimum DistributionIf you are age 70 ½ or older, the IRA Charitable Rollover allows you to make a tax-free gift up to $100,000 per year to your favorite charity! You can use your IRA to support or create an endowment fund for a scholarship or a charitable organization at the Lawton Community Foundation. A gift through your IRA satisfies your required minimum distribution and saves you money on income taxes and potential penalties.

To learn how we can help you support your community, please call 580/353-4747 or visit LawtonCF.org.

L a w t o n C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n4

Gene Love’s service to the U.S. Army relocated the Arkansas native to Lawton in 1961. He admired the friendly southwestern town. The people were caring and had a heart for helping. After retiring from the military, Gene remained in the community he had grown to love and began seeking ways he could help others.

When the Lawton Community Foundation was established in 1999, he was already well aware of the power of endowment. Serving in a leadership role for the Armed Services YMCA of Lawton at the time, Gene encouraged the organization to collaborate with the Lawton Community Foundation and establish a fund that offers perpetual financial support.

Over the years, Gene’s involvement throughout the Lawton community grew. He has served with more than 20 nonprofits, including a six-year tenure as president of the Lawton Community Foundation where he helped grow the foundation’s funds from $3.5 million to $8 million.

“The Lawton Community Foundation provides an easy way for people to give back to their community,” said Gene. “Our local nonprofits diligently work to improve and change the lives of those in our community. By giving to an endowment at the Lawton Community Foundation, donors can support the nonprofits they have a heart for not just today, but for as long as the organization exists.”

Lucky for the Lawton Community Foundation, Gene is more than just a ‘sayer.’ He is also a ‘doer.’ Gene and his wife, Carolyn Anne, established their own fund with the Lawton Community Foundation to help support their most beloved organizations.

“Why do I love Lawton?” Gene asked. “It’s the people more than anything else. Everyone you meet is friendly and outgoing. That’s why it’s important for my family to support this community. It feels like home.”

Loving Where He IsGene Love

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Lawton Community Foundation DonorsThe donors listed below have made cumulative gifts of $500 or more to permanent endowments at the Lawton Community Foundation.

Owen and Jane ArdStephen and Nancy ArntzBank of the WichitasBar-S-FoodsMaj. Gen. (Ret.) Lee and Theresa BaxterLt. Col. (Ret.) L.A. Beckman IIIMichael BilbreyBivens MemorialDianne and Chad BledsoeRichard and Elaine BoatsmanAaron and Tanja BoydGlen and Joanne BoyerDarline Bridges HornbeckDr. George I. BridgesLeonard and Tanya CaseDavid A. ClementRobert A. and Darcy A. ClineDennis and Anita ClippingerLt. Col. (Ret.) Francis and Joanne F. CurranEddie and Susan DabneyJohn R. DavisRobert N. and Ruth DishmanKenneth E. and Pamela A. EastonDaniel P. and Cynthia M. FarrellDarrel B. FruitIssac Jay and Kimberly A. FurrhRonald L. and Loree B. GainesRandall and Marcia GarrettGilbert C. and Aulena GibsonGreater Kansas City Community FoundationCameron and Lisa HalbertRobert G. and Jean P. HarbisonRobert HinmanPreston and Sandra HolsingerMarilyn HugonWayne P. HuntRandy N. and Eileen M. JensenKirk JessupMichael T. and Carolyn KeithJoann KnechtFrank Howard and Anna Claire KuchtaLawton Community Theatre GuildLawton Retail Merchants AssociationJohn F. and Jane Kinzer LewisStephen and Michelle LivingstonGene and Carolyn Anne LoveTerry and Sharon MarshKarla J. Oty and John M. McArthur

The McMahon FoundationGen. (Ret.) and Mrs. Jack N. MerrittDennis and Kathleen MeyerHugh MontgomeryPaul MorganJack and Ronda NorrellOklahoma Abstract Co.Johnny OwensPam & Barry Inc.Gary and G. Lynda ParkerPauls Valley Veterinary ClinicGen. (Ret.) and Mrs. J. H. Binford Peay IIIThe Pepsi Bottling GroupPublic Service Company of OklahomaDavid and Judy RaglandRed Rock Corral, LLCReese Chiropractic & Wellness P.C.Gen. (Ret.) and Mrs. Dennis J. ReimerRichard Properties, LLCSalas Urban CantinaMary SankaranRev. Dr. and Mrs. Bill SchneiderMike and Melody ScottSignal Mountain AssociatesMichael and Jamie SmithSouthwest Foodservice ExcellenceSouthwestern Medical CenterVickie SpurgeonTravis H. TomlinsonDavid ToweRobert M. and Barbara B. VaughanGen. (Ret.) and Mrs. Carl E. VuonoDennis and Sandra K. WardLynn and Jeanne WebbLanny and Florence WilsonBob and Maurine WisemanJames F. and Jackie R. Wood

Advised FundsTerry K. Bell Charitable Trust FundArnold and Corrine Boyd Family Endowment Fund Virginia Brewczynski Legacy FundCowboy FundCleo Craig Memorial Cancer and Research Foundation FundFirst United Methodist Church Foundation Gift FundKatherine D. Lacy FundGene & Carolyn Anne Love Gift Fund

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Charitable Organization EndowmentsThe Lawton Community Foundation administers permanent funds for 35 nonprofit organizations serving Lawton and the surrounding area. The endowments provide a reliable source of annual income for program participants and offer a convenient way for donors to contribute. As of June 30, 2017, the market value for these endowment funds was more than $3 million and the annual distributions to the organizations exceeded $140,000.

Fund Value Distribution

Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter $ 155,252 $ 6,531

Arts for All 51,135 2,544

Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Fires Chapter - Lawton-Fort Sill 28,962 1,452

Center for Creative Living 21,046 1,040

Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation 105,740 3,671

Crime Stoppers/Drug Busters of Southwest Oklahoma 105,286 5,007

First United Methodist Church Foundation of Lawton 103,620 5,077

Fort Sill Armed Services YMCA Gene Love Endowment Fund 359,661 16,330

Frederick School Enrichment Foundation 22,669 1,137

Friends of Fort Sill 45,263 1,785

Giddy Up ‘N Go 65,184 3,241

Great Plains AMBUCS-Kid’s Zone 20,413 1,031

Great Plains Technology Center Foundation 21,804 1,099

Greater Lawton Rotary Club 104,689 *

Hackberry Flat Foundation 56,521 2,812

Holiday in the Park 24,628 1,172

Lawton AMBUCS Lou Brox Endowment 111,916 4,710

Lawton Community Theatre 31,113 1,550

Lawton Family YMCA 20,144 1,018

Lawton Food Bank 126,710 5,264

Lawton Friends of the Library 26,463 1,329

Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra 53,881 1,978

Lawton Public School Foundation 521,812 24,743

Museum of the Great Plains 34,429 1,679

On the Chisholm Trail Association Heritage Center 58,633 2,709

Bernice Ford Price Library Endowment 44,863 1,764

Kathy Bea Holsinger Reese Memorial for the benefit of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 76,596 2,952

Roadback Inc. 24,084 1,201

Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical Society 20,420 1,032

St. John Lutheran Church Foundation 75,071 2,787

Tipton Children’s Home 36,163 1,115

United States Field Artillery Association Foundation 360,867 17,401

United Way of Southwest Oklahoma 375,546 12,408

Western Trail Historical Society 20,929 783

World Christian Broadcasting 25,311 1,085

Totals $3,336,824 $141,437

*New fund established in Fiscal Year 2017

2 0 1 7 A n n u a l R e p o r t 7

Scholarship AwardsIn April 2017, the Lawton Community Foundation awarded 14 Lawton area high school seniors with a total of $26,500 in scholarships at the foundation’s annual scholarship breakfast held at Cameron University. The recipients represented seven school districts in Lawton and the surrounding area.

2017 Lawton Community Foundation ScholarsRecipients are selected by the Lawton Community Foundation’s scholarship committee with assistance from guidance counselors and a committee at each high school. Students attending Cameron University are offered a matching scholarship from the school. Award amount is $2,000.Ryan Ard – Frederick High School Kayla Ash – Eisenhower High SchoolKai Daniels – Lawton High School Zachary Garrett – Elgin High SchoolElizabeth Godfrey – Cache High School Zachary Hanna – Lawton High School Louis Jackson – MacArthur High School Elijah Kirton – Cache High School Courtney Martin – MacArthur High School Daezhana Simmonds – Eisenhower High School

2017 Frank Curran Memorial/Lawton Noon Lions Club ScholarshipThe scholarship was established by the Lawton Noon Lions Club in memory of longtime member Frank Curran to encourage graduating high school seniors who plan to attend Cameron University. The award amount is $1,500 a year for four years. Danielle Lewis – MacArthur High School

2017 Lamont N. Wilson ROTC Scholarship The scholarship award was established in 2010 by the friends and family of Lamont N. Wilson. A 2003 Eisenhower High School graduate, Lamont was killed in combat while serving in Iraq in 2004. The scholarship encourages Eisenhower High School graduating seniors who participate in ROTC. The award amount is $1,000. Jacob O’Connor – Eisenhower High School

2017 Nell Franklin Scholarship The scholarship award was established in 2016 by longtime Lawton resident and Lawton Business Women’s Club member Nell Franklin to encourage females graduating from a Lawton high school who plan to attend Cameron University or Great Plains Technology Center (Lawton campus). Award amount is $2,000. Sydney Crockett – Eisenhower High School

2017 Benny McReynolds Memorial ScholarshipFrederick High School and Western Oklahoma State College graduate Benny McReynolds established this scholarship through a gift in his will in 2010 to encourage Frederick High School graduates who plan to attend Western Oklahoma State College. Award amount is $2,000. Kaisen Walker – Frederick High School

The 2017 Lawton Community Foundation scholarship recipients, front row, left to right: Daezhana Simmonds, Courtney Martin, Kaisen Walker, Elizabeth Godfrey, Sydney Crockett and Kayla Ash. Back row, left to right: Zachary Garrett, Ryan Ard, Zachary Hanna, Louis Jackson, Kai Daniels, Elijah Kirton, Jacob O’Connor and Danielle Lewis

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The past presidents of the Lawton Business Women’s Club stand next to their first scholarship recipient, Sydney Crockett.

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Lawton’s Leading LadiesAfter the end of World War I, the role of women in the United States began to transform.

During the war, women were encouraged to step up and fill business roles abandoned by men who left to fight. On the brink of the new horizon was a fresh, new start for women in the workforce.

The year following the war (1919) was a monumental year for the women of our nation. It was the year women gained their right to vote. It was also the year in which the organization now known as the Lawton Business Women’s Club would form and shape the future for females in southwest Oklahoma.

Today, the Lawton Business Women’s Club is still helping to improve the lives of working women through advocacy, education and philanthropy. In addition, a spin-off organization, the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club, was formed to create even more opportunities to empower women in the workforce. A shared mission of both organizations is to mentor and support female college students.

In 1974, past president and former member of both organizations Nell Franklin left a gift in her will to support the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club. With the gift, she left instructions to invest the principal and use the investment distributions to fund a scholarship to help ordinary students graduating from a Lawton high school attend college. The recipient must earn a grade point average above 2.5 and plan to attend either Cameron University or Great Plains Technology Center.

In 2016, the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club transferred the investment to the Lawton Community Foundation. A year later, they had named their first Nell Franklin Scholarship recipient, Sydney Crockett.

“Receiving this scholarship has given me peace of mind because it has lessened the financial burden in my household,” said Sydney, a Lawton High School graduate pursuing an accounting degree at Cameron University. “I no longer feel that I need to completely rely on my parents to pay for college. I can’t thank the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club enough for lifting the stress from my shoulders. I look up to these women, and hope I represent them well throughout college and in my career!”

“Nell loved the Lawton community and wanted to help students earn an education so that they, in turn, could help improve our community, too,” said Beverly Wooley, treasurer and scholarship chair of the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club. “The Lawton Community Foundation is easy to work with to help make this dream a reality. We don’t have to worry about the administrative duties of the fund, and we still have an influence on who receives the scholarship. It’s perfect.”

While the role of women in the workforce has greatly developed with the passing of nearly a century, women of Lawton can rest assured they have a support system helping them succeed.

“I can’t thank the Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club enough for lifting the stress from my shoulders. I look up to these women, and hope I represent them well throughout college and in my career!”

- Sydney Crockett 2017 Nell Franklin Scholarship Recipient

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Community GrantsThe Community Grants program awards grants of up to $5,000 to support projects that will improve the quality of life and provide opportunities for Lawton area citizens. In Fiscal Year 2017, $32,875 in grants were awarded to nine charitable organizations. For more information on our Community Grants program, visit LawtonCF.org.

CASA of Southwest Oklahoma, Inc. - $5,000 to support child advocacy ensuring children in state custody receive adequate services such as therapy, counseling or preparation for aging out of the system.

Center for Creative Living Corporation - $5,000 for building repairs and maintenance, ensuring seniors experience a safe and quality environment.

Giddy Up N’ Go - $2,030 to purchase equipment and supplies needed to help children and adults with disabilities safely participate in therapeutic horseback riding. (See page 11.)

Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, Inc. - $5,000 to educate middle-school girls on unique and girl-specific strategies to deal with bullying.

Hearts that Care Volunteer Health Clinic - $1,995 to help offset expense of previously purchased phone system, allowing more funding for pharmacy costs.

Lawton Rotary Leadership Institute - $1,850 to support anti-littering campaign in Lawton Public Schools.

Roadback, Inc. - $5,000 to purchase new computers and software upgrades to help serve clients more efficiently.

Teen Court, Inc. - $5,000 to provide educational classes for 125 youth to resolve conflict issues that result in violence in Comanche County. United Way of Southwest Oklahoma - $5,000 to support Success By 6, a program that aims to increase every child’s readiness for school by offering 10 educational programs serving young children and families.

Matching GrantsThe matching grants program offered up to $3,200 in matching dollars for up to $5,000 in gifts made to existing endowments at the Lawton Community Foundation. In Fiscal Year 2017, matching grants totaling $34,560 were awarded to 12 charitable organization endowments.

Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter - $3,200

Bernice Ford Price Library Endowment - $1,600

Cache Schools Education Foundation - $3,200

Fort Sill Armed Services YMCA Gene Love Endowment Fund - $1,600

Friends of Ft. Sill - $2,560

Greater Lawton Rotary Club - $3,200

Kathy Bea Holsinger Reese Memorial for the Benefit of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church - $3,200

Lawton AMBUCS Lou Brox Endowment - $3,200

Lawton Food Bank - $3,200

Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra - $3,200

St. John Lutheran Church Foundation - $3,200

United States Field Artillery Association Foundation - $3,200

2 0 1 7 A n n u a l R e p o r t 11

A few of Lawton’s largest locals have been busy improving the lives of some very special citizens in the community. Using a dedicated team of specially trained therapy horses, physical therapists, riding instructors and experienced volunteers, Lawton’s Giddy Up N’ Go offers physical, speech and occupational therapy through therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs.

“We’ve been blessed with the services of Giddy Up N’ Go for 14 years now,” said Cheryl Kennedy, whose daughter, Kathleen, benefits from the horses’ therapeutic services.

“The volunteers are supportive and encouraging to our entire family. It’s beautiful to witness how the horses are helping our wheelchair-bound daughter to experience movement and how happy the weekly therapy sessions make her. We love it!”

In 2000, the organization’s board of directors established a charitable organization endowment at the Lawton Community Foundation. The fund provides annual financial support to allow Giddy Up N’ Go to continue offering services for families like the Kennedys. Throughout the years, Giddy Up N’ Go has received additional support through the Lawton Community Foundation’s Community Grants program, including a $2,000 grant in 2017.

“We are so grateful to the Lawton Community Foundation for their help and support over the years,” said president Nancy Arntz. “Our program has advanced because of the grants we have received. We are truly blessed!”

Thanks to the support of the Lawton Community Foundation, the gentle giants of Giddy Up N’ Go, paired with a few gracious volunteers, are truly making a difference in the lives of Lawton residents.

Neigh-borly Care

non-profit org.u.s. postage paidoklahoma city, okpermit no. 255

P.O. Box 6033 • Lawton, OK 73506

The Lawton Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Whatever your reason may be, the Lawton Community Foundation can help your charitable giving make the most impact in the Lawton area.

“My mother was a very philanthropic person, though the gifts were not always large ones and very often were anonymously given. My husband and I honor her and keep her memory alive by supporting the community she loved so dearly.”

- Jane Ard

Why Support the Lawton Area?

Owen and Jane Ard Katherine D. Lacy Fund

How Can You Support the Lawton Community? 3

Donor Spotlight: Gene Love 4

Scholarship Awards 7

Charity Spotlight: Lawton Business Women’s Past Presidents Club 8

Grant Spotlight: Giddy Up N’ Go 11

Inside

LawtonCF.org

After Jane’s death in 2015, Owen relocated to Colorado, but continues to support the Lawton community through the Katherine D. Lacy Fund.