A legacy of opportunity

How the Carolyn Watson Foundation helps rural Oklahomans reach new heights

Growing up in rural Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Cricket Kaya and her sister Prairie had big dreams about going to college, seeing the world and opening their lives to new ideas and fresh perspectives. However, paying for college was going to be a big challenge. They had never heard of the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation or Watson’s dream of creating opportunities for people in rural Oklahoma like those found in urban areas. That would change for Cricket and Prairie almost overnight.

“A lot of kids in my town don’t get to go to college,” Prairie said. “So, for me to be able to pursue my dreams of doing research, learning about advocacy and creative arts like playwriting, were possible because of the Carolyn Watson scholarship. It changed the course of my life.”

Established in 1995 in partnership with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless individuals and communities across the state. Through sustained investment in arts and culture, education, health care and economic development, Watson knew she could create impactful change in entire communities

A native of Ada, Oklahoma, and a proud graduate of East Central University, Watson understood the unique challenges and untapped potential of rural communities. As the longtime chair and CEO of Shamrock Bancshares, she recognized the need to invest in the future of these areas, particularly in southern Oklahoma where her banks were located. She took a bold step by establishing her foundation, followed by the Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship in 2010.

Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $3.8 million in grants to support nonprofit organizations, schools and government entities working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life in rural Oklahoma.

Many beneficiaries express a desire to return to their rural roots after completing their education, bringing with them new skills, perspectives, and a commitment to community development. This “brain gain” has the potential to revitalize rural Oklahoma for generations to come.

Carolyn Watson passed away on March 17, 2014, at the age of 86, but her vision continues to shape the future of rural Oklahoma. The foundation she established stands as a testament to her belief in the power of community and the importance of investing in people.

“She had a keen awareness that there were a lot of bright minds in rural Oklahoma,” said Steve Lolli, a trustee on the board of the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation. “She wanted to invest in the people living and supporting rural communities like she did.”

As the foundation moves forward, it remains true to Watson’s original mission while adapting to meet the evolving needs of rural communities. With each grant awarded, each scholarship given and each life touched, such as Cricket’s and Prairie’s, the foundation continues to write new chapters in the story of rural Oklahoma’s renaissance. Carolyn Watson’s legacy shows the profound impact one person can have when they choose to invest in their community.

The foundation will soon be awarding Rural Oklahoma Community Grants for up to $40,000 supporting programs that serve people in rural Oklahoma and focus on Arts, Culture and History; Health and Safety; Libraries and Literacy or Economic Development. To find out more about this program, visit occf.org/rural.