Kirkpatrick Family Fund awards more than $7 million in grants

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Kirkpatrick Family Fund awards more than $7 million in grants

Thu, 12/22/2022 - 05:30
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$1 Million Will Establish the Dr. E.E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund at OU College of Dentistry

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, December 19, 2022 – Today the Kirkpatrick Family Fund announced the distribution of $7,345,500 in grants to 119 organizations over the last six months in the areas of animal wellbeing; arts & humanities; children, youth & families; community development; education; environment; health; human services; and endowment matching grants. Included in this disbursement is a $1 million endowment grant to establish the Dr. E. E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Dentistry to ensure the most vulnerable and underserved Oklahomans receive the comprehensive dental care they deserve.

“The OU College of Dentistry is proud to partner with the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to expand access to affordable dental care to the people of Oklahoma,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “For oral health care to be effective, it needs to be accessible. Thank you to the Kirkpatrick family for this incredible gift.”

The Kirkpatrick family has been committed to providing high quality dental care for Oklahomans since the arrival of Dr. Elmer Ellsworth Kirkpatrick, Sr. in 1893, whose license to practice dentistry was #25, making him one of the earliest registered dentists in Oklahoma Territory. In addition to being the first president of the Oklahoma Dental Society, Dr. Kirkpatrick also organized the first dental supply house in Oklahoma Territory when pioneers were settling in the area.

“We are honored to pay tribute to my great grandfather’s work by establishing the Dr. E.E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund at the OU College of Dentistry. He would be delighted to know 130 years later the family is still supporting oral health care for Oklahomans in need,” said Christian Keesee, president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

“The establishment of this fund is a fitting way to commemorate Dr. Kirkpatrick’s work and we look forward to the high-quality dental care this endowment grant will provide to Oklahomans in need for many years to come,” said Liz Eickman, director of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund supports charitable, civic, and cultural causes that impact citizens in central Oklahoma and beyond. Over the last 33 years, the Family Fund has contributed more than $155 million to qualified nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to advance cultural, intellectual, and societal interests in their communities.

“The Kirkpatrick Family Fund is committed to addressing current issues that affect the quality of life in central Oklahoma, an investment made possible because of our founders John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick, and we are honored to be an encouraging partner and supporter of the 119 organizations recently funded,” said Liz Eickman, Director – Kirkpatrick Family Fund. “The critical role they play to empower individuals in need and strengthen our community is significant, and their innovative work is inspiring.”

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund was founded by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick in 1989 and is the largest affiliated fund in the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The organization remains committed to adhering to the priorities and guiding principles of its founders through the leadership of Trustee and President, Christian K. Keesee, the grandson of John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick.