Sarkeys Foundation

10/02/2026

Last week, two of our staff members had the honor of attending the soft launch of Take 2: A Resonance Cafe newly renovated location!

Resonance Center for Women empowers women to rebuild their lives with hope and purpose after being impacted by the criminal justice system. Through programs both inside Oklahoma correctional facilities and in the community, Resonance provides addiction recovery, relapse prevention, reentry support, job readiness, housing, transportation, addiction treatment, and case management.

Through Take 2: Resonance Café and transitional homes like Elwood and Kirtley House, women have the opportunity to work, live, learn, and build the skills and stability they need to pursue self-sufficiency.

And we can’t recommend the food enough! ❤️ Whether you stop in to enjoy the beautiful café, grab a to-go order, or order catering for your next event, you’re doing more than enjoying a delicious meal. You’re supporting a local nonprofit and helping create meaningful opportunities for women as they build brighter, more independent futures.

10/01/2026

This week, one of our champion partners, Sarkeys Foundation, shared a powerful statistic about why many foster families ultimately stop fostering. The top reasons: burnout, a loss of community support, and financial strain.

The truth is, while not everyone is called to foster, everyone can support a foster family in a different way. From dropping off a meal to providing a listening ear to providing respite care, small actions make a massive difference.

Want to learn more? Visit our website today for creative support ideas or to start your own journey toward becoming a foster parent. We would love to connect you with the tools, resources, and community that can best help you (and the foster families in your community) thrive!

09/29/2026

As a foundation, we believe advancing social justice should be a shared commitment between our staff and the nonprofits we serve. This morning, one of our program officers Laynie Gottsch testified at Senator Dossett’s interim study at the state capitol, advocating for the first increase in foster parent reimbursement rates since 2018. Laynie is an experienced foster parent, and has personally witnessed the financial struggles that foster parents experience when they take a placement without adequate reimbursement.

Four in 10 Oklahoma foster parents quit within 12 months due to burnout, loss of support and financial strain. The annual reimbursement rate for children ages 0-5 is $6,372, while the annual cost to raise a child in Oklahoma is $19,500. That leaves a $13,000 gap, often filled by churches, nonprofits, friends & family, and foster parents’ personal finances.

The cost of inadequate foster capacity doesn’t disappear, it moves somewhere else: to the state, to children, and to foster families.

If you or someone you know is a foster parent, be there for them, advocate for them, and support them. If you are interested in a full list of foster care agencies, visit okfosters.org/agencies

06/22/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry West. Terry joined the Sarkeys Foundation Board of Trustees in 1994 and became a Lifetime Trustee in 2002.

Throughout his many years of service, Terry played an instrumental role in advancing the Foundation's mission to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma. During his tenure, the Foundation awarded more than $113.5 million to nonprofits across the state.

As a proud supporter of his hometown, Terry also helped direct more than $400,000 in grants to nonprofits serving the Shawnee community.

Terry's leadership, wisdom, and commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on our organization and on countless communities throughout Oklahoma. We are deeply grateful for his service and the legacy he leaves behind.

We will miss Terry dearly and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Terry Wayne West passed from this earth on June 6, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family, after a years long battle with cancer. Terry was born in Ada, OK, on July 3, 1938, to Carl and Marie West. The family lived, and Terry was raised in Francis, OK, just North of Ada. He graduated from Francis H

06/04/2026

Behind every grant awarded, every partnership formed, and every life impacted is a story worth sharing.

Our 2025 Annual Report reflects a year of meaningful investments in Oklahoma communities and the incredible work of the nonprofit organizations we are honored to support. While we can't fit the entire report into a social media post, we invite you to explore the stories, accomplishments, and impact highlighted throughout the year.

Click the link in our bio to read the full Annual Report and see how, together, we're helping improve quality of life across Oklahoma.

05/08/2026

Our Program Officers are heading to Enid next Wednesday, May 13, for our Traveling Grant Application Seminar at Autry Technology Center.

This session is designed to support Oklahoma nonprofits as they explore funding opportunities with Sarkeys Foundation. We’ll walk through LOI requirements and the grant application process, and share insight into how organizations can best position their work for consideration.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to our Program Officers. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please register using the link in our bio.

We look forward to connecting with you in Enid!

04/09/2026

📍 Stillwater, we’re headed your way!

Join us for our free Grant Application Seminar at Meridian Technology Center and learn more about our grant application process, timelines, and what to expect when applying.

We’d love to welcome nonprofit leaders and organizations from Stillwater and the surrounding community. Space is limited, so RSVP through the link in our bio.

04/03/2026

We’re excited to continue our Grant Application Seminar series in McAlester next Thursday, April 9, at Kiamichi Technology Center.

Join us for a welcoming and informative session where nonprofit partners can learn more about our grant application process, ask questions, and feel confident as they navigate the application.

We look forward to connecting with organizations in McAlester and the surrounding communities. Space is limited, so please RSVP through the link in our bio to reserve your spot.