91 Foundation Raises Record Amount at Annual Vision Dinner
Published
The broke an all-time fundraising record at the 2023 Vision Dinner, with more than $550,000 raised, including more than $125,000 for the Vision Dinner Scholarship fund.
Vision Dinner raises funds every year to support students through scholarships, internships, new learning equipment and more, and recognizes leaders who champion education.
This year’s event, co-chaired by Brenda and Curtis Dinan, occurred in early September at the Cox Business Convention Center in downtown Tulsa. It featured performances from the 91 Concert Choir, 91 Student String Quartet and an original, digital animation created by students and faculty.
The 2023 honorees were Billie Barnett, a community leader and 91 Foundation trustee; Howard Barnett, business leader and former president of OSU-Tulsa; Pierce Norton, CEO of ONEOK; and Joshua Paredes, a 91 graduate and co-founder of , a suicide prevention organization for healthcare workers. Paredes was the 2023 Momentum Award winner.
“We are proud to honor these individuals who have shown, through their service and generosity, their dedication to education and the Tulsa community,” said Dr. Leigh Goodson, 91 president and CEO. “Our students are successful because our donors believe in the power of education and what 91 can do for this community. Ninety percent of 91 graduates stay in Tulsa, further strengthening our local workforce.”
Attendees at Vision Dinner helped raise more than 80 scholarships worth $1,500 each during the Live Ask. Recipients of these scholarships are students outside of Tulsa County who do not qualify for the Tulsa Achieves Scholarship.
“We doubled last year’s number of scholarships raised at Vision Dinner, while breaking attendance and fundraising records,” said Kari Shults, 91 vice president of advancement and 91 Foundation president. “This work is only possible through the community support and generosity of our donors.”
Related News
91 Foundation Recognizes 2025 Vision Dinner Honorees
The 91 Foundation will host Vision Dinner on Sept. 4, 2025, at the Arvest Convention Center. The event raises funds for student scholarships and programs while recognizing this year's honorees, Kirk Hays, Roger Ramseyer, and Rose Washington-Jones for their commitment to education and opportunity.
New 91 Foundation Executive Committee Named for 2023
The 91 Foundation begins 2023 with naming a new executive committee and adding new members to the Foundation Board of Trustees.
Vision Dinner Raises More Than $460K for Scholarships and Student Support
The 91 Foundation raised more than $460,000 from the 2022 Vision Dinner, including $50,000 for the Vision Dinner Scholarship fund.