Catch the DREAM and Make a Gift

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
~ Winston Churchill

Why catch the DREAM and GIVE?

In today’s world, a college education is one of the single most important goals that is sought out to lay a solid foundation to build a successful career and life.

“Youth with disabilities are scientifically less likely to start postsecondary education than are their peers without disabilities…. And more than 80% of youth with disabilities who attempt postsecondary education require some assistance to manage/coordinate their educational and related services” Lex Frieden, Chairman of the U.S. President’s Council on Disability.

The DREAM Institute did not exist when the Cofounders both struggled in obtaining their higher education degrees. With research and the Cofounders personal experiences to back up their methodologies joined with the help of civic, business, and higher education leaders, the Institute developed a highly focused comprehensive mission to increase the success of the higher educational experience of students with disabilities through a three-fold approach, which includes: academic and professional mentorship, academic assistance and scholastic awards.

In addition, the DREAM Institute sees:

• These scholarships as a distinguished honor for the student as a source of encouragement to pursue higher education beyond high school, to graduate, and to find a career path that matches their abilities and be successful in that given profession.
• These scholarships are simply not a hand out, but instead a hand up!

• To raise awareness to communities that just because a person may have a disability, it does not mean that that person is incapable of achieving and finding success.
• To be successful in a career/profession that matches their abilities and talents.
• Increasing the number of students with disabilities who graduate with a college degree.
• To bring understanding and teach tolerance by living out their success and continued example of their ability to overcome their adversity.
• To set trends and inspire people not to accept second best for their lives.
• To bring recognition that people with disabilities have a place in the workforce and can become a great asset to an organization’s growth, success, and sustainability.
• Communities as a whole will benefit greatly by having successful college graduates working and giving back to the communities where they live.

2004 Scholars

Scholars and Cofounders left to right: Shelley Hall, Andrew Dearborn, Timon Johnson, Alvin Barnett, Brandy Donelson, Cofounder Kristy Long, Adam Larson, and Cofounder Rodney Bryan Pratz.

Feed Back on the Institute from recipients and their families!

“Our family is thankful for the DREAM Institute and for the wonderful gift and support you are giving our son. This has made a great impact on Timon and has encouraged him so much to want to do well in school. The confidence that this has given him is remarkable!”~G. Johnson,Father of 2004 Scholar Recipient - Timon Johnson

“This is a huge accomplishment for Alvin and our family, the struggles have been worth it…and I thank the DREAM Institute for everything that it has done for my son!” ~Tyna Barnett, Mother of 2004 Scholar Recipient - Alvin Barnett

“There is such a need in our world for the DREAM Institute. I am so glad the Institute is here for these kids!” ~Karen Winters, Mother of 2004 Scholar Recipient - Andrew Dearborn

The DREAM Institute did not exist when we both struggled in obtaining our higher education degrees. With your help, we can work together to make a difference for future generations! Help us build community and raise up tomorrow’s leaders – the next Bob Doles, Helen Keller’s, Jim Stovall’s.

How can you Catch the DREAM and Give?

The DREAM Institute relies on the generous support of people like you in carrying out the Institute’s mission to increase the success of the higher educational experience of students through scholastic awards. Every bit counts – a small or large gift makes a difference.

Because we are a volunteer organization, we have a great advantage compared to other non- profit organizations. That great advantage is that we are able to maintain low general and administrative cost which means that most all of your gift goes to fund scholarships to support scholars over their undergraduate experience. Giving you the opportunity to see how your gift makes a difference and see a great outcome directly associated to your gift!

Build community today and raise up tomorrow’s leaders to become trend setters who are success minded, self-reliant and self-determined college graduates entering a variety of professions in our communities living as successful citizens.

By making a gift of $25 or more, you can become a donor of the Institute and can become a member of the DREAM Catcher’s Guild.

The DREAM Institute offers a variety of ways that you can catch the DREAM!

Pledge or Give Online NOW – Make a tax-deductible gift today with your credit card on our secure server. You may also make a pledge online and we will invoice you.

Other Gifts– Make a tax-deductible gift today by other forms of giving such as gift by mail, gift of stock or property, planned giving, or a gift to the scholarship endowment.

DREAM Catcher’s Guild–Learn about the Institute's donor membership society and become an important stakeholder in education today!

Planned Giving–Build a legacy for future generations to come by including the Institute in your financial and estate planning!

Legacy Guild–Make a great impact and include the DREAM Institute in your financial and estate planning!

Scholarship Endowment – Leave your legacy by giving to the endowment!

Volunteering–Making a difference by giving your time!

The DREAM Institute has been recognized as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 (c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. All contributions are tax deductible under non-profit tax guidelines.

Funds and Planned Giving Services are managed by the Tulsa Community Foundation.