History of the Catholic Foundation

Established in 1965, the Catholic Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit entity whose mission is to procure and build endowments to support parishes, schools and other ministries of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.  With the spiritual leadership and guidance of the Archbishop of Oklahoma City, the Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors, consisting of professional lay men and women and clergy representing the various geographic areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. 

In carrying out its mission, the Foundation:

• Provides gifting vehicles in which the Church and related entities are designated beneficiaries;

• Provides estate planning and charitable giving information and assistance;

• Distributes earnings on endowments to further the development of the Catholic Church in central and western Oklahoma. 

The lesson of stewardship is one of faith, giving back to God out of gratitude for all the gifts we have received. This profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. The Catholic Foundation serves as a resource to donors, providing the opportunity to expand their stewardship through a variety of ways.

Organized under the leadership of Bishop Victor J. Reed as a non-profit corporation in December of 1965 to serve the people of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Conceived to augment the work of The Bishop's Fund, it was formed for the purpose of procuring and building endowment funds and to serve as a permanent organization for the administration of funds given to benefit the work of the Roman Catholic Church in the state of Oklahoma. At the organizational meeting of the newly formed Foundation, Father Stephen A. MacAulay explained, "The Foundation assists in channeling charitable donations in a more effective and official manner to any diocesan institution designated by the donor or by the Foundation. Wishes of the donor are strictly observed in distribution of funds. The charitable donations are rigidly protected and safeguarded by the Foundation..." He went on to say that endowments and annuities will be invested by the Foundation's Investment Committee in solid securities, with income paid to designated causes.

In speaking of the Foundation, Bishop Reed said, "in planning ahead, it is felt that we can well emulate many of the great educational and charitable institutions of this country who owe so much of their greatness to benefactors. These institutions have established various financial plans that are now meeting a major share of the yearly financial needs." 

The Foundation's first officers were:

• Mr. P.C. Lauinger, President

• Mr. I.F. Rooney, First Vice President

• Mr. W.F. Wulf, Second Vice President

• Mr. John H. Kennedy, Third Vice President

• Father Stephen A. MacAulay, Secretary Treasurer

• And John T. Dobelbower, the Assistant Director of the Bishop's Fund Office, was selected as Executive Director.

The First Directors included the officers and Bishop Victor J. Reed, Raymond Albert, Johnnie Arney, O'Benton Browning, Al Boudreau, Jr., Mrs. Ruth Carey, Ed DeClerck, Jack Conroy, S.C. Criswell, Byron Dillon, Pat Donnelly, Billy Gowday, Monsignor Harkin, Robert Havlik, Richard Hutt, Pat Heneghan, Charles Kile, Gavin King, Joseph Kotarski, Robert Layden, James McRoberts, Paul McGuire, John C. Moran, Vernon Mueggenborg, Louis Panchot, Eldon Pickrell, Monsignor William Reid, Jacob Ronck, Joe Ross, Joe Schlosser, W.A. Slater, Neal Sullivan, R.J. Sullivan and F.W. Zaloudek.

By April 1968, Father MacAulay had given 190 Foundation sermons throughout the state. And beginning in 1969, the first Scholarships were awarded. Sixteen $300 scholarships were awarded for the 1969-70 school year.

In 1976, two separate accounts were established, The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Account, covering central and western Oklahoma, and The Diocese of Tulsa Account, covering eastern Oklahoma. On February 22, 1980, the Diocese of Tulsa Account became The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City retained the original name, The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc.

Today, the Foundation continues to promote and to receive gifts for endowments, invests them wisely, and impacts Parishes, Missions, Catholic Schools - and the ministries of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City through grants and fund distributions. The Foundation also awards college scholarships, and annually recognizes Catholic School Teachers and Religious Education Teachers through the annual Educator of the Year Awards.  

The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the Catholic Church group ruling.
Tax ID #73-0773715