ONEOK Provides Outstanding Support to the Community in 2017

Founded in 1906, Oneok began as a pipeline business in Oklahoma, but today is one of the country's largest energy companies in the gas and natural gas liquids business. Headquartered in Tulsa, the business is a Fortune 500 company and also trades on the S&P 500 stock index. Despite its national business and international influence in the gas and oil industry, Oneok also partners with local communities to help local areas receive the resources they need for long-term financial development and humanitarian care.

In 2017, Oneok contributed to multiple organizations in the Bakken oilfield, where the company operates a 600-mile pipeline with the capacity to transport more than sixty thousand barrels per day from the Williston Basin. These contributions include giving funds to help with the reconstruction of Veterans Park in Watford City in conjunction with the McKenzie County Veteran's Service, the Boys and Girls Club of Richland County, providing funds for equipment at the St Alexius Health Center in Willliston and providing funding for the Alexander Public School. In addition, Oneok also helped rebuild the historic Belfield Theater and Performance Center, provided equipment for the Bowbells Volunteer Fire Department, and contributed to the capital campaign for the High Plains Cultural Center. These are just a summary of Oneok's charitable contribution to the Bakken in the last year, and there are more.

The Roundup reached out to Heather Vangelder, the Oneok Community Relations specialist and asked why Oneok contributes to local causes. She responded, "Oneok builds mutually beneficial partnership with community organizations and encourages collaboration among community organizations to create a more collective impact. We specifically invest in organizations and programs that focus on education to ensure the next generation is successful in the workplace and in life, and gains skills to be self-sufficient."

Vangelder was asked what was the philosophy of business that led Oneok to such generosity and community involvement. She responded, "ONEOK's core value of service recognizes that good corporate citizenship is an essential and important responsibility. Our commitment to give back to the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live includes financial contributions as well as the time and talents of our employees."

According to Vangelder, such an approach to community care benefits everyone, from stockholders to the community. She continued, "We strive to be an active member of the community and invest in programs and projects that benefit stakeholders, including our employees, customers and the general public."

Oneok operates a foundation that was established in 1997 – aptly named the Oneok Foundation – that exists to contribute to nonprofit organizations where their employees work and live. Oneok states, "Our company leadership realizes the importance of being a good corporate citizen and perpetuates the company value of service by supporting employee involvement in the community and providing financial contributions toward those efforts."

What is being seen in Oneok in the Bakken is just a part of their overall, nationwide philanthropic giving. The Oneok Foundation gives for causes related to arts and culture, community improvement, education, health and human services, civic functions and more.