ABOUT US
The Third Space Foundation grew out of The Third Space, a coworking and community-building environment in Norman, Oklahoma in 2019. Our mission was to create an empowering and supportive third place where all individuals would feel welcome.
Unfortunately, the pandemic led us to shut down our coworking space, but we did not stop striving to address the needs of our community. We saw a need for fiscal sponsorship among visionaries who run small organizations. Forming a 501(c)(3) is not always possible for these organizations, but they cannot positively impact their communities without the ability to receive donations and other funding. By transitioning to serve as a fiscal sponsor and community foundation by lending our 501(c)(3) status to organizations, we are continuing to serve and strengthen our community.
OUR VALUES
The values that motivate The Third Space Foundation are:
transparency
respectful inclusion
open-minded growth
collaboration
hopeful and bold action
We are committed to being honest and trustworthy.
We are committed to promoting a spirit of openness in all that we do.
We are passionate about creating and cultivating an inclusive community.
We are committed to serving all of humanity in a respectful manner.
We believe in learning, growing and developing throughout life,
which involves engaging in open discussions and listening to others.
We are committed to collaborative work that facilitates the collective good and the joint promotion of our common interests.
We are passionate about maintaining positive and hopeful perspectives as a basis for bold and energetic action in our community.
board of directors
ANNE DELONG
Chair | she/her
Anne DeLong is a grassroots campaign professional from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has a BA in International Studies and plans on attending law school to better advocate for communities typically excluded from the legal process.
KIMBERLY FRANcISCO
Secretary
Kimberly Statum-Francisco is the mother of three adult children and grandmother of three: 2 granddaughters and one grandson. Her life work has encompassed working with families to navigate systems that aren’t structured to receive their family unit authentically. She has worked strategically within educational systems to assure anti-racist and culturally responsive curriculum and environments were implemented. Her work experience has spanned the public and private sector and she presently serves as Manager of Ralph Ellison Library of the Metropolitan Library System. She's served on various non-profit Boards, always looking for opportunities to extend social justice/equity/inclusion to marginalized communities. Her education includes a BS from OSU Journalism and a MEd from OCU Early Childhood Education. Kimberly is proud to be Northeast Oklahoma City born and reared and resides presently by choice with her life partner of 30+ years, Anthony Francisco.
NEIRA KADIć
Board Member | she/her
Neira Kadić has been working in the field of higher education for several years now and has experience working with both inbound and outbound international students through her roles in Education Abroad and International Admissions and Recruitment. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for the United World College Scholarship Program at The University of Oklahoma. Neira also teaches Global Perspectives courses at the university and holds both her BA and MA degrees in International Development. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Neira is passionate about and has done research and advocacy work in the fields of international education, post-conflict studies, transitional justice in the Western Balkans, as well as digital activism/ feminism and diaspora.
SARAH ADAMS
Vice Chair | she/her
Sarah Adams is an advocate for Native American culture, education and rights. She is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Sarah co-created an intertribal, empowerment organization called Matriarch that serves Indigenous women in central and NE Oklahoma. She worked alongside other Native advocates to see Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognized in OKC. Sarah is a board member of the ACLU of Oklahoma, The Auntie Project, Not Your Mascot, Nappy Roots Books, the Third Space Foundation, is a proud member of Central Oklahoma Two Spirit Society, and has served two terms as Activist in Residence at the University of Oklahoma. Sarah also co-created a support group for 2SLGBTQ Indigenous youth called, Cousins. Sarah has worked alongside other advocates to eliminate Land Run Reenactments and a Native mascot in OKC Public Schools and co-created a program called Oklahoma History Day, a diverse and accurate account of Oklahoma history through statehood. She was named 2020 Indian Educator of the Year by the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education and 2021 Community Service Award by the National Indian Education Association. She attended Cottey College and the University of Oklahoma and has two children, Bella and Daniel. Sarah works for her parent’s company, RedLand Sheet Metal and lives in Moore.
LEXI HILL
Board Member | they/she
Lexi Hill is a proud member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and descendant of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Ottawa (Little River Band) Nations. Lexi is a council member of the Youth Advisory Subcommittee and a board member of the Third Space Foundation. They currently work as an Events Coordinator at the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board. They currently attend the University of Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma City Community College. Lexi is passionate about creating opportunities for Indigenous communities, by growing connections and partnerships that provide solutions-based approaches to health outcomes. Lexi specifically focuses on youth leadership and uplifting youth voices, substance abuse destigmatization and prevention, food sovereignty, and mental wellness. They continue to look for new opportunities that strike passion and effect change. They strive to approach all issues from an intersectional, decolonial, abolitionist, disability, and community-based proactive lens so that, together, we can start to change narratives and create healthier communities that truly work for all.
DEB LUTKE
Board Member | she/her
Deb Lutke is a grassroots community organizer in Tulsa, OK. She is a self-taught graphic designer and co-hosts monthly anti-capitalist film screenings. Deb has worked in the Tulsa theatre scene as a playwright, director, actor, stagehand, and producer; she served on the board of Heller Theatre Company from 2015-2022.
STAFF
SUZETTE GRILLOT
Executive Director & Founder | she/her
Dr. Suzette Grillot is the Founder and Executive Director of The Third Space Foundation. She is also a professor of international security studies at the University of Oklahoma, where she has served on the faculty for more than 25 years.
Hannah Grillot
Associate Director | she/her
Hannah is a self-taught graphic designer who works in various capacities for Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma, The Kedusha Project, and The Third Space Foundation.
Jennifer Winfrey
Finances & Bookkeeping | she/her
Jennifer Winfrey serves as the accountant for The Third Space Foundation. She has over 20 years’ experience in government and nonprofit sectors. Jennifer’s specialty is nonprofit accounting and grant management. She focuses on organized, efficient, and accountable practices to enhance the mission of your organization and uphold donor confidence. She is a Certified Grants Management Specialist, credentialed by the National Grants Management Association (NGMA) and a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional. These credentials recognize her master level knowledge and demonstrate her dedication to the nonprofit sector.
CONTACT US
Thank you for your interest in The Third Space Foundation. We are available to answer any additional questions about our operations, partner organizations, what being a fiscal sponsor means, or how your tax-deductible donation will positively impact the community. We look forward to hearing from you.
