What is the most meaningful gift you can give?
In Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the answer often begins quietly—a meal shared, a child encouraged, a door opened when the world felt closed.
These aren’t abstract outcomes—they’re the living proof of what happens when generosity meets purpose. Local nonprofits are the quiet heartbeat of our community. They feed families, mentor students, restore hope, and give people the tools to stand on their own again. And in a city where—according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey—nearly one in six residents lives below the poverty line, that kind of impact isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Agapé Mission opened its doors in 2000, serving just ten people that first day. Since then, they have served more than two million meals. Today, the mission provides 250–350 meals daily, delivers senior meals, and offers weekend food support for roughly 600 children. But the mission has never been about food alone.
“We never wanted to just hand people a plate,” says Executive Director Sherri Smith. “We wanted to build relationships—to offer love with no strings attached.”
That same ripple of generosity reaches far beyond the kitchen table.
Kayla, a Bartlesville-area student, took college-level classes while still in high school, earning a diploma and an associate degree. With help from a donor-supported scholarship, she completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Rogers State University—and later earned her MBA. The first in her family to graduate from college, she now works as an accountant for a major Tulsa employer. Her scholarship didn’t just change her future; it changed the trajectory of her entire family.
Samarah was six when she joined Children’s Musical Theatre of Bartlesville—a shy little girl from a low-income household who spoke barely above a whisper. Through singing, theatre, and a donor-funded arts facility designed for year-round training, she found her voice. Today, she is pursuing a degree in musical theatre and vocal performance—proof that creativity, when supported by community, can change a life forever.
Stories like these remind us that financial support from individuals and organizations is truly life-changing.
Many nonprofits are still finding their footing after the pandemic—facing growing demand for after-school programs, arts education, warming shelters, food assistance, and workforce training. What they need most now is flexible funding: general operating support, special-project gifts, and capacity-building investments that keep missions strong and doors open.
A meaningful gift—sometimes called a transformational gift—offers sustained, strategic impact. It helps a nonprofit do more than survive month to month; it allows them to plan, expand, and innovate.
This giving model is the same one I used throughout my years leading development for nonprofits. It’s simple, sustainable, and rooted in real outcomes I witnessed every day—lives changed because someone chose to give with intention.
Ways donors can make a meaningful gift* include:
- Monthly giving – providing steady, reliable support
- Major gifts – $1,000, $5,000, or more for high-impact projects
- Bequests and estate gifts – shaping the future of an organization
- Stock gifts – often with tax advantages
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – for donors age 70½+ giving directly from an IRA (2025 limit: $108,000)
According to Debbie Mueggenborg, CPA and managing partner at Stotts, Archambo, Mueggenborg & Barclay, PC in Bartlesville, QCDs are “a simple way to do good works.”
She explains that to qualify, QCDs must be sent directly from the IRA custodian to the charity. For eligible donors, the amount given is excluded from taxable income and can satisfy all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Debbie also notes that while a donor’s RMD may be lower than the annual QCD limit, donors may contribute up to the full amount—allowing them to make a significant impact while reducing taxable income.
If there’s a cause you’re passionate about, consider making a meaningful contribution this December. The right gift—at the right time—can be the spark that sustains an organization, restores hope, and strengthens our community for years to come.
When given locally, meaningful gifts strengthen the organizations that strengthen us all—and their impact lasts far beyond the moment they’re made.
Because in the end, generosity isn’t just about money.
It’s about hope passed forward—one story, one gift, one life at a time.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not offer financial or legal advice. Please consult a qualified financial or tax professional regarding charitable giving. Stories referenced in this piece are used with permission. Data sources include: U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates; Data USA; Census Reporter; YCharts; and City-Data.
About the Writer
Angie Thompson is a Bartlesville native and a fundraising strategist, storyteller, and brand consultant who helps nonprofits and purpose-driven leaders communicate with clarity, heart, and impact. A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, she continues to champion generosity, meaningful storytelling, and community-centered philanthropy. Angie is the creator of the Pivot Pulse™ storytelling method and the founder of Angie Thompson Consulting LLC.