The Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation was honored with a personal $1 million donation from Chad Richison, as part of the Looking Back Thinking Forward Campaign to grow the Museum’s endowment and help safely reopen the Museum. Richison, an Oklahoma philanthropist and founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., Paycom, presented the donation and helped reopen the Memorial Museum during special previews over the past few days.

“We are honored to accept this generous donation, as it will be crucial in achieving our mission and reopening our facility safely. During this time of challenge, this gift allows the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to continue to be the relevant beacon of remembrance, hope and understanding, which our country desperately needs,” said Bob Ross, Chairman, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation.

The donation is a part of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Looking Back Thinking Forward capital campaign and helps move the campaign closer to achieving its $14 million goal. The donation will also assist with the costs associated with the recent Museum closure and planned reopening. The Museum has been quietly testing its ability to host visitors at 25% capacity inside its facilities with timed ticketing, masks, strict social distancing and cleaning protocol measures, while working to reopen to the public on Wednesday, June 10.

“The Museum represents the strength of the human spirit and the Oklahoma Standard. I am honored to play a role in helping to reopen the museum safely and be part of the 25th anniversary,” said Richison.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum receives no annual funds from federal, state or local governments. Its mission depends entirely on the generosity and foresight of people who believe in and understand the continued relevance of its mission. Through comprehensive curriculum and cutting-edge new programs designed for young and old alike, the Memorial and Museum has become a global thought leader on healing, forgiveness, strength and resilience in the wake of tragedy.

“Chad’s gift helps us tell our story by ensuring people understand the senselessness of violence and the role we each have to step up to be kind even 25 years later,” said Kari Watkins, Executive Director. “We are grateful to Chad for his leadership gift in some of our toughest times. We are honored to work with Chad and Paycom and look forward to the programs this will allow us to teach in the coming weeks as we look to safely reopen.”

Anyone interested in supporting the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation can visit MemorialMuseum.com/get-involved/donate/ and select the “Looking Back Thinking Forward Fund” to help grow the endowment.

Dropbox link to video: Chad Richison, Founder & CEO, Paycom, Bob Ross, Chairman, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation and Kari Watkins, Executive Director, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. SOTs are with Bob Ross and Kari Watkins. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e1ru5w3qfe894fr/AACktTdhXf4ttW2i23G3ZDyla?d1=0

Photo attached: (left to right) Kari Watkins, Executive Director, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Chad Richison, Founder & CEO, Paycom, Bob Ross, Chairman, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation

About the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum educates visitors about the impact of violence and terrorism, teaches the lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing and inspires hope and healing from those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Tenets of the Oklahoma Standard include Show Up to Serve, Rise Up to Honor and Step Up to Be Kind are a part of the new exhibits opening this week.