Always Kerr-Full

“There are distinguished philanthropists – and there is Lou Kerr. She is in a category of her own….” – Alphonce J. Brown, Jr., ACFRE, Vice President of Development National Academy of Public Administration, Washington, DC

by Karol Wilson

Led by president Lou Kerr, The Kerr Foundation, Inc. is one of the oldest philanthropic organizations in Oklahoma and is an offshoot of one of the largest U.S.-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, Kerr-McGee Corporation, which was founded in 1929. While 40-60 percent of the Foundation’s grants go to educational endeavors in Oklahoma – Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, and Lou Kerr’s alma mater, Oklahoma City University – the balance is targeted to health and human services, arts and culture, and public administration projects.

Its home base of Oklahoma is not the Kerr Foundation’s only focus, Mrs. Kerr is quick to point out; it also supports efforts that fit the Kerr Foundation’s mission in states surrounding Oklahoma (Dallas, TX-based SMU’s Library, for one), as well as public policy programs in Washington, DC.

One of those public policy groups is the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), an organization that Lou Kerr believes is the “best kept secret around.” “It’s a think tank for cities and communities across the nation,” says Mrs. Kerr. “The trustees and members are the best in the business,” she says.

“Just think of what their impact could be with New Orleans as they rebuild.”

Alphonce J. Brown, Jr., NAPA’s development vice president, returns the compliment. “Lou Kerr is one of our most ardent supporters, committed to helping every level of government become more effective, efficient, and equitable.” In addition, she is an ardent supporter of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Lou Kerr is pleased that her children are interested in someday taking the reins of the Kerr Foundation and that the Foundation is increasingly becoming involved in medical research – especially cancer, heart disease, and women’s issues.

The Kerr Foundation, Inc. also supports educational programs for young women, and gifted-student and leadership development programs such as the International Women’s Forum thrive due to Lou’s vigilance. In fact, before she became involved with the IWF, Lou founded the Oklahoma Women’s Forum and developed a leadership program that the IWF now emulates through its flagship fellowship program.

Nurturing, obviously, plays a key role in the Kerr Foundation’s mission. Lou and her Foundation board members like to support organizations that have “new ideas and visions,” she says. “Our board members will often temporarily sit on their boards to help them be successful.” And the Kerr Foundation often offers challenge grants to nonprofits to help them learn to successfully raise funds and strengthen board commitment and participation. As a friend puts it, “Lou’s gift is to help new organizations – and some that are in trouble – to organize themselves, plan to fund themselves, continue what she helps them to begin, and free her up to move on to something new.”

One of those emerging organizations is the Red Earth Museum in Oklahoma City, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich traditions of American Indian history and cultures. Lou Kerr’s involvement is hands-on – she has procured artwork by young Indian talent – and is determined to make it one of the largest cultural centers in the country. The Red Earth’s annual festival each June is the largest of its type in the world and highlights the diversity of American Indian cultures, along with showcasing the Museum’s remarkable collections and its educational resource center.

One of Lou’s dear friends once recalled a quote by controversial activist Angela Davis that “We must learn to lift as we climb.” And while it may appear Lou Kerr and Ms. Davis have little in common, Lou certainly and constantly lifts as she climbs.