PHILANTHROPY
BUILDING A WINNING FUTURE McLAUGHLINS MAKE OKC STUDENTS MVPS by: Lori Johnson / photography: Shevaun Williams
What started out as a way to level the playing field for many
It wasn’t long before McLaughlin heard positive feedback about
Oklahoma City Public Schools’ sports programs has grown into
the program. The NW Classen soccer coach shared his experience
helping the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools level
after receiving his DonorsChoose.org package—video equipment
the educational field as well.
to make video clips of soccer players for college recruitment purposes.
Businessman and OKC Energy co-owner Tim McLaughlin and his wife Liz are the founders of Fields & Futures. Formed in
“It was powerful to hear the coach recount the reactions of the
2012, the nonprofit helps Oklahoma City Public Schools provide
students when they opened the package,” says McLaughlin. “Here
improved after-school athletics by rebuilding or upgrading every
was a tangible sign to those students that people care, want them
athletic field in the district. To date, the organization has 20 fields
to succeed and are willing to invest resources for their success.”
either completed or under construction. Since the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools launched “Studies show student-athletes often have better attendance,
its partnership with DonorsChoose.org in late 2014, the foundation
achieve higher grade point averages and
has assisted with funding for nearly 1,000
have a higher graduation rate than non-
projects at 85 schools, reaching more than
athletes,” McLaughlin said. “We wanted
100,000 students cumulatively, with a total
every OKC student to have the chance to
financial impact of $575,960.
participate in sports by giving them the equipment, resources and opportunities to
Fields & Futures and the Foundation
be involved.”
for Oklahoma City Public Schools work closely together to create champions in
Through his work with Fields & Futures Tim learned about the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public
all parts of their lives. In 2013, Fields & Futures received the Perfect Partner Award from the foundation.
Schools. “We were working toward the same goal—helping kids succeed in school,” McLaughlin explained, “but the foundation
McLaughlin’s charitable philosophy is that by interceding at key
has a broader perspective on the needs and challenges within
points in kids’ lives, you can make a lasting impact—whether that
our schools. I wanted to be a part of the whole solution, to help
is on the field or in the classroom.
remove obstacles in the classroom and let educators do their jobs.” “I am proud to be part of organizations that makes a lifelong Tim joined the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools board
difference,” McLaughlin said. “Successful kids become successful
in 2014 and quickly saw an opportunity to help the organization with
adults. That means a productive citizen for Oklahoma City, a
its school supply program. He introduced them to DonorsChoose.
better skilled workforce and someone who has seen by example
org, an online crowdsourcing program that allows individuals to
how to give back to their community.”
donate directly to classroom projects requested by teachers.
Thank you to Anglin Public Relations for finding and sharing big ideas and the people making them.
12 LUXIERE