Oklahoma nonprofit group plans award ceremony

Several Oklahoma nonprofit organizations will have their moment in the spotlight at an April 25 awards ceremony that honors their excellence in the community.

The 2nd annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, will award a total of $160,000 among 27 nonprofits from nine categories, along with a single outstanding organization award.

"This event is really just to honor them and kind of the way they raise the bar for nonprofits across the state," said Taylor Miller, public relations and marketing coordinator for the center. "It's something that those nonprofits don't usually get. They complete their mission and they rarely get recognition. We wanted to create something that would really honor them with their work."

AWARDS
The Awards Selection Commission chose the 27 organizations from 93 nominated. Awards categories include arts and humanities, community, community health services, education, health services, self-sufficiency, seniors, sports and recreation and youth development. One winner from the three finalists in each category will receive $7,500, and the other two will receive $5,000. The center will also award $10,000 to the most outstanding of the 27 organizations.

The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, founded in 1981, works to support nonprofit organizations in an effort to build better communities. It provides services and resources to nonprofits across the state.

"As part of raising up communities and nonprofits that support those communities, we wanted to support those nonprofits," Miller said.

Speaker of the House Chris Benge serves as honorary event chairman.  The awards ceremony includes dinner, cocktails and a multimedia presentation highlighting the nonprofits' contributions at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th E., Tulsa. Tickets are $150. For tickets or sponsorship information, call 918-579-1910. "Caitlin Harrison