Allied Arts exceeds fundraising goal

Allied Arts has raised more than $3 million to support the arts in central Oklahoma for the 2017 fiscal year ending June 30.

The total amount raised is $3,078,695.

As a United Arts Fund, Allied Arts helps to fund numerous Oklahoma nonprofit organizations such as Science Museum Oklahoma, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and Lyric Theater of Oklahoma.

The Allied Arts 2017 fundraising campaign was chaired by AnnClore and Walt Duncan and Camilla and David Ostrowe, with Jeanette and Rand Elliott serving as honorary chairs.

“We are elated to have surpassed our $3 million goal,” said fundraising co-chair Walt Duncan. “Each and every donor was vital to the success of the 2017 campaign. People from all walks of life and businesses representing a myriad of industries came together to support arts education in schools and quality and affordable programming for all.”

Also during the program, the Duncans and Ostrowes passed the baton to 2018 campaign chairs Aimee and David Harlow. The Harlows will serve alongside honorary chairs Polly and Larry Nichols.

Employee-giving campaigns were held at more than 100 businesses across the greater metro and raised more than $591,929 for Allied Arts.

The top-producing employee-giving campaigns were “Heart of the City” — employees of the City of Oklahoma City, Devon Energy Corp., American Fidelity Assurance, OGE Energy Corp., Chesapeake Energy Corp., Tapstone Energy, Continental Resources Inc., Ackerman McQueen, Sonic America’s Drive-In and Integris.

Allied Arts has raised more than $63 million to advance the arts in central Oklahoma since its founding in 1971.