FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oklahoma City Ballet Chosen as Finalist for Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards
Oklahoma City Ballet is one of two dozen Oklahoma organizations that are now finalists for a $10,000 award and the title of the state’s top nonprofit, thanks to the prestigious Oklahoma Nonprofits Excellence (ONE) Awards, annually presented by the Oklahoma Center for the Nonprofits.
“Oklahoma City Ballet is honored to be a finalist for the ONE Awards, especially in the company of so many other wonderful nonprofit organizations. It speaks to the power of the Oklahoma community who has upheld our organization and has said with one resounding voice that ballet is vital to our city and state. It is a tribute to all of the hard work the staff and board of trustees has put into this organization,” said Executive Director Shane Jewell.
On April 9, 2016, the finalists will join supporters at Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club to celebrate and hear the announcement of winners. Finalists are divided into eight mission categories and receive $5,000, with category winners receiving $7,500. At the end of the evening, an overall winner receives $10,000 and the title of the top nonprofit in the state. In total, organizations receive almost $150,000 to recognize the impact of their charitable work throughout the state. In 2014, the Center awarded the $1 millionth dollar to the sector. Since our first event, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits has given away $1,215,000.00 to Oklahoma nonprofits.
“Being a ONE Award finalist will help elevate the profile of Oklahoma City Ballet because it lets the community know that not only are we producing great art and reaching thousands of children through school and outreach programs, but we are being governed with integrity, fiscal responsibility, and business strategy,” Jewell says. “Being recognized by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits will give patrons and supporters the peace of mind that their donations are being handled in a manner in which they can be proud.”
Out of approximately 18,000 nonprofits statewide, only 24 were named finalists.
Awards are presented in the following eight categories:
- Arts and Humanities
- Community
- Education
- Health Services
- Self-Sufficiency
- Seniors
- Youth Development
- Open
The ONE Awards Selection Commission, a group of prestigious community leaders from across Oklahoma, determines the finalists. The Commission, chaired by David Hogan, includes Kathie Coyle, Nance Diamond, J. Jerry Dickman, Frederick F. Drummond, Ken Fergeson, Kim Henry, Phil Lakin, Jr., Frank Merrick, Polly Nichols, Meg Salyer, and Wendi Schuur.
“The finalists are selected because they are the best of the best at what they do,” Hogan says. “From the top level of management down to the part time staff, these are committed individuals pulling together to achieve missions as big as Oklahoma.”
Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for over 40 years. It is the resident dance Company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts 35 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the Company produces four main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. It is the only ballet Company of its size to regularly debut world premiere story ballets with original commissioned scores and also commissions new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.
To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information for the 2016 ONE Awards, please call (800) 338-1798.
# # #
Amy Haley
Marketing and PR Director
Oklahoma City Ballet
405.843.9898
ahaley@okcballet.com
www.okcballet.com