The Oklahoma City Disaster Relief Fund was established following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. This fund holds all of the assets of the contributions received by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to help survivors of that tragedy. The fund continues to assist a large number of individuals and families with medical support and mental health counseling.
Project Recovery OKC, Inc., was a national effort started by Governor Frank Keating. A joint effort, involving the State of Oklahoma, the City of Oklahoma City, and their citizens, Project Recovery asked for America’s help in restoring material and financial losses resulting from the bombing. Over $3.7 million was distributed as a result of this program, with most of that going directly to victims’ families.
Public Donations
One story which made national news involved a Santa Clara, CA, resident named Chris Gross. Gross started a fund for children affected by the Oklahoma City bombing, and donated his entire annual salary of $53,874 as seed money. Endless accounts like this popped up throughout the recovery from the bombing, and directly countered the perpetrators’ intention.
Student Scholarships
The Heartland Scholarship Fund is a renewable award for dependent children of individuals killed, or a surviving dependent child who was injured in the April 19, 1995, bombing. The scholarship is applicable to tuition, fees, special fees, books and room and board. It can be used for undergraduate study in anywhere in the United States, or graduate work in Oklahoma. Twenty seven students have used the Heartland Scholarship Fund.
Included within the Disaster Relief Fund, established following the bombing, is the Survivors’ Education Fund, which provides scholarships for children who are eligible for assistance once they reach college age. As of April 16, 2010, 158 students have attended one or more semesters of post-secondary education. Eighty-seven have earned one or more degrees, and there are 24 children who are eligible when they enter post-secondary education.
