TULSA, Okla. – Sport and art are joining hand-in-hand to better Tulsa’s future as the city’s premier professional sports franchise, FC Tulsa, is providing Philbrook Museum of Art a $500,000 matching gift during its time of need.

The gift kicks off a partnership between FC Tulsa and Philbrook before #GivingTuesdayNow, a worldwide fundraising initiative which begins on Tuesday. FC Tulsa is issuing the FC Tulsa Philbrook Matching Challenge with the gift, to match each dollar given to Philbrook.

“Philbrook Museum of Art is a pillar of the Tulsa community,” said FC Tulsa owner J.W. Craft. “We want to ensure they are able to continue doing the great work in our city they are known for, especially in the fight against COVID-19 with their #PhilTheGaps campaign. The FC Tulsa Philbrook Matching Challenge is a statement of FC Tulsa’s commitment to team up with organizations throughout Tulsa to put our community at the heart of our club.”

Philbrook’s #PhilTheGaps campaign has been creatively engaging and giving back to the Tulsa community throughout the month of April, supporting the Tulsa Area United Way COVID-19 Response Fund, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and other charitable organizations that are on the front lines of the current pandemic.

“Like all of our friends and colleagues in the arts, Philbrook is facing the severe financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis. With the Philbrook Wine Experience, our biennial gala event postponed an entire year, and our doors closed during our highly-attended spring months, the Museum anticipates a $2M revenue gap this year,” said Philbrook President & CEO Scott Stulen. “This generous gift from FC Tulsa embodies the philanthropic spirit and the extraordinary ambition of our city and the Philbrook community. Every gift, toward this match, of any size, help Philbrook and our deeply committed staff bring people together during this difficult time apart.”

This donation continues FC Tulsa’s commitment to be #ForTulsa, fighting for all in our great city during this difficult time and comes in addition to its own donations to the Tulsa Area COVID-19 Response Fund through sales of merchandise. 

Fans wishing to give to the FC Tulsa Philbrook Matching Challenge campaign may make a gift to the Museum’s Facebook campaign, the donate page of the Museum’s website, or by phone at (918) 748-5368.