The Potential of a New Year

With the beginning of a new year come exciting possibilities. It is a time when we can restart neglected goals or create new ones. At The Center, we are leaning into all 2023 has to offer.

The incredible staff hit the ground running after the holidays and is in full preparation mode for classes, our Law & Finance Conference, our annual ONE Awards and Nonprofit Advocacy Day at The Capitol. The programs department has reconfigured Standards for Excellence – the premiere foundational course for nonprofit operations and governance – into a one-day summit. It is tailored to organizations who have completed Standards for Excellence in the past five years and would like new employees exposed to the world-class curriculum. The summit also serves as a wonderful refresher course for those of us who have been in the nonprofit sector for some time.

This week we announced the 21 finalists for our annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The list is impressive! The organizations represent some of our state’s finest nonprofits and are committed to the highest standards. Please help us celebrate them this April at Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club. The evening is filled with inspiring stories about the impactful work of our sector.

2023 is already a big year for our advocacy efforts. Through a partnership with the Department of Commerce, we are helping disperse $25 million of federal relief money into the nonprofit sector. We are also preparing for the upcoming legislative session and ensuring that nonprofits have a voice at the table when crucial decisions are made. From taxes to donor intent, the list of bills we’re tracking is extensive. I would invite you to join our members-only Advocacy Roundtable discussion to hear about the latest developments from the capitol. We are also hosting Nonprofit Advocacy Day on April 25th and would love for you to join us.

The year ahead is full of possibilities. The Center is not missing an opportunity to capitalize on them. We hope you are doing the same.

With Gratitude,

Marnie Taylor

President & CEO, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits