Yale Alum Nancy Anthony Shapes Philanthropy in Oklahoma City

On April 19, 1995, a devastating bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City claimed the lives of 168 individuals and injured approximately 680 others. In the aftermath, Nancy Anthony, then executive director of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF), faced an unprecedented challenge as her organization shifted focus from regular philanthropic activities to disaster relief.

While not originally designed for emergency response, OCCF played a pivotal role in the city’s recovery. Anthony recalled, “We could try to coordinate the services that were going to be necessary for these people after those first few weeks.” As donations began to flow in from across the globe, OCCF worked closely with local authorities to manage the funds, ensuring they effectively supported victims with immediate medical needs, counseling, housing, and funeral costs. Within the first year post-bombing, the foundation received nearly $12 million to assist victims’ families and survivors.

Under Anthony’s leadership, OCCF evolved into a significant philanthropic entity in the region, a transformation that began long before the bombing.

From Academia to Community Leadership

Nancy Anthony’s journey began in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she developed a strong sense of community. After attending Vanderbilt University, she pursued a graduate degree in statistics at Yale University in the early 1970s, where she was among a small number of female students in her field. Anthony utilized her analytical skills to contribute to the undergraduate admissions office, gaining valuable experience in data management.

After completing her studies, she moved to Oklahoma City with her husband, Robert, and dedicated a decade to raising their children while volunteering for the Metropolitan Library Commission. Despite her commitment to family, she sought to re-enter the workforce and discovered OCCF, which had been established in 1969 to facilitate charitable giving and improve community welfare.

In 1985, Anthony took the helm as executive director. Although she initially lacked expertise in endowments and fundraising, her experience with data management and community service equipped her for the role. She implemented technological improvements to the foundation’s databases, enhancing its operational efficiency.

Building a Legacy of Philanthropy

During her tenure, OCCF became a leading community foundation in the United States. When Anthony began, the organization had $19 million in assets and only one other employee. By the time she retired in 2022, OCCF employed 47 staff members and distributed an average of $46 million annually to various charitable organizations in Oklahoma City.

Anthony successfully established and expanded OCCF’s endowed funds, with over 400 organizations now participating in its Nonprofit Endowment Program. The foundation also launched numerous initiatives addressing critical community issues such as literacy, wellness, and public spaces. “We felt like we could work with donors and let them determine what needs in the community they wanted to support,” she noted.

Bob Blackburn, who met Anthony in 1988 while working at the Oklahoma Historical Society, praised her ability to blend public and private funding for sustainable growth. He stated, “Nancy earned people’s trust, and in return, she never shirked her responsibility to serve the greater good without demanding the spotlight.”

Throughout her 38 years at OCCF, the foundation allocated over $640 million to charitable organizations statewide. This included crucial support following the Oklahoma City bombing, where the foundation’s established reputation allowed it to manage the influx of donations effectively.

Nancy Coats-Ashley, a retired district court judge and former trustee of OCCF, highlighted the organization’s integrity under Anthony’s leadership, emphasizing its role in meeting the extensive needs of bombing victims.

Following her experience in Oklahoma City, Anthony also contributed her expertise after the September 11 attacks, consulting with New York charitable organizations on how to best utilize funds for recovery efforts. “This is not about just handing out money. This is really about trying to do the things that help people move on with their lives,” she explained.

Although Anthony retired from OCCF three years ago, she remains actively engaged in the Oklahoma City community, continuing her service on the library commission and contributing to various volunteer boards. Her dedication to nurturing a culture of giving has left a lasting impact on the community, ensuring that the spirit of philanthropy thrives in Oklahoma City.