About the Foundation

The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation is a charitable organization benefiting the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries in Oklahoma. As the philanthropic arm of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Foundation enhances the industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities.

The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation provides...  

  • A positive connection between school, work and future employment for young people pursuing careers in hospitality fields.
  • Scholarships to students pursuing degrees in hospitality.
  • Student programs that emphasize classroom learning, work-based learning and mentoring programs leading to a recognized national certification, such as Oklahoma Prostart.
  • Professional certifications, manager food safety training, and supervisory development workshops from the National Restaurant Association.


The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation has:

  • Awarded over $350,000 in scholarships since 1990
  • Continually hosted an annual culinary competition for high school students with scholarship awards and trophies (View Photos)
  • Remained active in 30 schools and technology centers throughout Oklahoma, with over 800 students participating in hospitality-related classes.


Get Involved

To sustain the heart of the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation's mission, we need you. With so many ways to give back with the OHF, it's easy to find something that works for your budget and schedule.



Donate Online or Sponsor an Event

The tax-deductable contributions individuals and companies give to the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation can change the lives of Oklahoma youth inspired by the foodservice industry. Your financial gift will directly impact students pursuing careers within the restaurant and hospitality fields. 




Support Foundation Events

Your support and contributions allow the OH&LA to support the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundations goal of enhancing hospitality education, student access, and scholarships. Consider investing in Oklahoma's youth and the future success of the industry!


Volunteer


Theres no better way to understand the power and potential of the Foundation than spending time with hospitality students in the classroom, or opening your place of business to serve as classroom for a day. Take a look at the variety of volunteering opportunities OH&LA offers to consider what best suits you:

Be a guest speaker
Guest speakers give students a glimpse at what working in the restaurant business is all about. Spend one or more class periods in a classroom sharing your personal career journey, perspective on the industry or providing an overview on a specific topic.

Host a field trip site
Accommodate and lead a group of as many as 25 students for a tour of your facility. Field trips typically last one-and-a-half hours to three hours, depending on if lunch is provided.

Host job shadowing
Open your doors to a student or a small group of students for a half or full shift. Students will shadow various key positions within the organization to gain a well-rounded perspective of what working in the business entails.

Provide a worksite
Serve as an employer, hiring a hospitality student for part-time or full-time employment. Or provide a site for an internship opportunity, which is supported by OH&LA in a variety of capacities.