Cimarron Alliance honored with Diversity award

The central chapter of the Oklahoma Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) held their annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon last month. Winning the award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity was Oklahoma City based Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF).

“When I first learned that Cimarron Alliance was being honored for outstanding diversity, my first thought was just, overwhelmed,” said Scott Hamilton, CAF Executive Director. “We’re truly representing all people in Oklahoma.” Hamilton also said the award gives him the affirmation, that the organization is moving the right direction, and that CAF is truly representing all people in Oklahoma.

The CAF vision is, “A fair and just Oklahoma.” The organization does education and advocacy at many levels.

“Gay people are part of the fabric that makes Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma such a rich place to be,” adds Hamilton. “We launched a public awareness campaign this year, not to generate income, but to generate interest. To help people realize that gay people are here in every aspect of life. Sometimes our community tends to be invisible, especially in Oklahoma.”

The Cimarron Alliance mission is “to support educational efforts that validate personal identity, promote public enlightenment, and advance equality for LGBT Oklahomans.”

CAF was nominated by Lisa Pitsiri who joined the Cimarron board in 2011 and currently serves as Chair of the Communications Committee. She is the Executive Director for Institutional Advancement and the Foundation at Rose State College in Midwest City. Pitsiri is active in many organizations and is also president-elect for the Oklahoma City Chapter of AFP.

“We were nominated by someone who I have come to respect as a professional and someone who I am honored to call a friend,” Hamilton said of Pitsiri. “She is passionate about so many causes.”

Each year, National Philanthropy Day is recognized by AFP and is a day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy and those people active in the philanthropic community make to our lives, our communities and our world.

“We are encouraged by the work that is being done, by the things that we hear from people every day,” Hamilton concludes. “I have to say, one of the greatest outward encouragements that we’ve had in a long time is receiving this award.” For more information about CAF, visit www.cimarronalliance.org or call (405) 495-9300.