Inasmuch helps launch nonprofit incubator

This spring, The Butlers Did It (TBDI), a consulting firm led by veteran OKC fundraisers Gabrielle and Stephen Butler, launched a nonprofit incubator focusing on black-led nonprofits and those whose work impacts northeast Oklahoma City. The effort has been supported by Inasmuch Foundation.

The Northeast OKC Nonprofit Incubator resulted from collaboration and conversations between the Butlers and leaders such as Christina Beatty, Sandino Thompson, and Dr. Quintin Hughes. It is part of a larger effort to create sustainable and inclusive economic development in Oklahoma City’s Northeast sector.

By providing the organizations with training and mentoring and connecting them to Oklahoma City industry leaders, nonprofits participating in the Incubator will be on a path to sustainability and growth, which will benefit their constituencies for decades to come.

To be selected for the Incubator, organizations were required to be black-led or focused on Northeast Oklahoma City and to have at least two years of operations. They are now participating in weekly training in nonprofit governance and management, marketing, fundraising, and accounting. Next month, they’ll join a roundtable discussion with funders to hear directly from decision makers and advisors regarding how to make their organizations more attractive to funders. Upon completion of the training sessions in May, the Incubator participants will receive paid memberships with the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of

Commerce, and Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. They’ll also receive mentorship from program facilitators and funding to develop their strategic plans and accounting services for their organization.

The Incubator is only possible thanks to support from Inasmuch Foundation and TBDI’s partners, including NEOKC Renaissance, It’s My Community Initiative, CoSpire, Gladstone and Main, Konjo Concepts, and Jana Harkins, among others. This investment in community leadership, coupled with economic development, is critical to turning the tide on the Eastside.

Masons provide grant for HFH

Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma recently awarded Hearts for Hearing a generous grant of $200,000 to support its Newborn Hearing Screen (NBHS) programs across the state.

The newborn hearing screen is a specialized screening performed shortly after birth to help diagnose hearing loss in newborns. Based on previous incidence rates, there will be approximately 150 babies born each year in Oklahoma with deafness or significant hearing loss.

“Early detection is critical for optimal brain development in children born deaf,” said Joanna Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Hearts for Hearing. “Babies who are deaf are learning to listen and talk when they are diagnosed early, fit with technology and enrolled in listening and spoken language therapy.

“When we do what it takes from the beginning, children who are deaf are achieving great things. We are grateful to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma for making this investment to change the lives of babies impacted by hearing loss.”

John Logan, executive director of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma added, “Public wellness and education have long been focal points of our mission. Hearing loss can present great challenges for children and their ability to attain educational goals, have meaningful relationships, and enjoy the same opportunities as their typical hearing peers. Early detection and therapy can provide life changing help for children with hearing loss, as they learn to listen and talk, and our Foundation is happy to be able to help.”

Hearts for Hearing offers a unique model where pediatric audiologists and speech language pathologists collaborate with families as part of a single visit. The organization provides the first set of hearing aids to Oklahoma children at no cost to families., Hearts for Hearing also provides highquality hearing care for adults as well.

About Hearts for Hearing: Hearts for Hearing is a comprehensive hearing health center for both children and adults headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK with clinics in Tulsa and Shawnee. It was founded by Joanna T. Smith, Dr. Teresa Caraway and Dr. Stan Baker as a 501(c)3 to provide funding for the first set of hearing aids for children with hearing loss in Oklahoma. Its mission has expanded to become a comprehensive hearing health clinic for both children and adults. It provides industry-leading services, technology, and research. Its collaborative model of audiologists and speech-language pathologists working together helps enable the best outcomes for its patients. Learn more at www.heartsforhearing.org.