Carolyn Watson was a woman of action and understood the value of blessing others with the gifts she was given. The longtime chair and CEO of Shamrock Bancshares wanted to improve the quality of life for the residents living in rural Oklahoma communities where her banks are located.
Born in Ada, Oklahoma, and a graduate of East Central University, Carolyn knew well where the needs and opportunities existed. In 1995, she established the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation and, in 2010, the Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship.
Through these permanent endowment funds at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, she has provided educational, economic and civic advancement opportunities to rural communities throughout Oklahoma.
Carolyn passed away ten years ago on March 17, 2014, at the age of 86. She leaves a meaningful legacy that will benefit future generations of rural Oklahomans. At the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, we are honored to carry on her legacy by administering the scholarships and grants of the Rural Foundation.
The Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship
An opportunity for students in 62 rural counties in Oklahoma, the Opportunities Scholarship now awards 12 students per year at $12,000 each, providing significant support toward their total tuition cost.
Cricket & Prairie Kaya, Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Scholarship Recipients
Nominated by a teacher or community leader, these students demonstrate exceptional accomplishments outside the classroom environment.
Each Year
Scholarship Opportunities
per student
Since Inception
Total Scholarships Awarded
Total Amount Awarded
Community & Classroom Enhancement Grants
With a grant program in place since 1995, the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation has distributed more than $3 million to support nonprofit organizations to enhance the quality of life in rural Oklahoma communities.
The Community and Classroom Enhancement Grants focus on supporting more than 20 Oklahoma counties.
Mobile Smiles Vehicle of the Oklahoma Dental Foundation, recipient of the Carolyn Watson Community Grant
Community Grants
The Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in rural Oklahoma communities by providing funding for organizations offering services supporting four distinct categories.
- Arts, Culture & History
- Health & Safety
- Libraries & Literacy
- Economic Development
By The Numbers
As we looked at our ability to take our Mobile Smiles program around the state, we realized that going into rural communities – to smaller towns across Oklahoma – had to be a hallmark of what we were doing.
By The Numbers
Community Grants Awarded
Community Grants Distributed
Counties Covered
Classroom Enhancement Grants
Available for pre-K through 12th-grade classrooms and school libraries, the classroom enhancement grant program supports projects focusing on the arts, literacy, STEM and history.
Our rural teachers are brimming with creativity and passion. When provided with resources, they can offer their students experiences that broaden their horizons. Carolyn Watson’s classroom enhancement grants empower these educators to bring their innovative projects and ideas to life, thereby greatly enriching their students’ learning experience.
Students engage in a building project, funded by a Classroom Grant.
By The Numbers
By The Numbers
Classroom Grants Awarded
Classroom Grants Distributed
Counties Covered
Additionally, the Classroom Grant program has touched 106 school districts across 85 towns/cities.