OBF Announces 2017 Court Grant Awards
The Oklahoma Bar Foundation is proud to announce its court grant awards to 11 Oklahoma District Courts for 2017 funding. The Grants & Awards Committee recently held interviews with judges and court clerks from counties across the state, more than half of whom were applying for an OBF grant for a first time. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Committee’s recommendation to grant funds to all 11 applicants, totaling $96,564.
The majority of application requests were for updated audio, visual and recording equipment used in Court proceedings. The need for such equipment stems from outdated and obsolete equipment in many courthouses, and the lack of funds to replace the equipment. Current systems are beginning to malfunction and software compatibility issues arise. As a result, court personnel must often use their own personal computers and equipment to get by until new equipment can be purchased.
The Court Grant Fund was established in 2008 and has since made awards to 53 of the 77 district courts in Oklahoma. “It is a priority of the OBF Board of Trustees to provide funding to courts in every county of the state. With each cycle of our yearly Court Grant process we get closer to achieving this goal,” says Patrick O’Hara, Grants & Awards Chairman.
Funding of Court Grants is made possible by generous Cy Pres Awards designating the Oklahoma Bar Foundation as the recipient.
2017 Grant Recipients:
District Court of Adair County – $13,890
2 – 60” Interactive Display Boards
District Court of Craig County – $5,915
Courtroom audio system
District Court of Garvin County – $14,490
Audio & visual equipment for new courtroom
District Court of McClain County – $1,458
Digital recording system for courtroom & 2 digital transcription kits for court reporting
District Court of McIntosh County – $11,133
Audio equipment for courtroom
District Court of Muskogee County – $7,145
Smartboard
District Court of Pottawatomie County – $2,397
3 digital recorders
Pottawatomie Juvenile Division – $9,417
7 Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets
District Court of Okmulgee County – $11,230
PA system in courtrooms
District Court of Sequoyah County – $14,919
70 inch Smartboard for courtrooms
District Court of Woodward County – $4,570
100” fixed screen projector with accessories