November 10, 2026 – Explorer Pipeline Selects Gaining Ground Literacy as 2027 Partner Agency
Tulsa, OK (November 10, 2026) – Explorer Pipeline Company has selected Gaining Ground Literacy as its 2027 Partner Agency, pairing financial support with opportunities for employees to help children discover books that reflect their lives and inspire a love of reading.
Through its annual Partner Agency program, Explorer selects a local nonprofit to receive a grant of up to $35,000 over three years. The program combines charitable giving with employee involvement to support organizations serving the Tulsa community.
A selection committee of Tulsa-area Explorer employees chose Gaining Ground after conversations with colleagues highlighted a shared interest in working directly with children in the community. Gaining Ground’s quarterly volunteer opportunities, including helping with book fairs and distributing books to children, made the organization a strong fit.
“Our employees are looking forward to connecting with the families our program supports,” said Mark Hurley, President and CEO of Explorer Pipeline. “With Gaining Ground, we can help a child find a book that speaks to them and share in the excitement of that discovery. We’re looking forward to getting involved and helping more families build home libraries of their own.”
Gaining Ground works to develop readers, thinkers and leaders by providing families with engaging literacy experiences and access to high-interest, culturally responsive books. Its work helps children find stories that reflect their own experiences while opening doors to new ideas and perspectives.
“We are incredibly grateful to Explorer Pipeline for selecting Gaining Ground as its 2027 Partner Agency. This three-year partnership will help ensure that children across Tulsa have the opportunities and resources they need to become confident readers, thinkers, and leaders. By providing access to books, engaging learning opportunities, and resources that foster a love of reading, this gift will provide the stability and support needed to reach more families and grow a love of literacy among the children who need it most. Explorer’s generous support, along with the opportunity to engage their team as volunteers and advocates, will help us expand our reach and make a lasting difference in the lives of children across Tulsa. We are excited about what we can accomplish together.” Lisa Shotts, Executive Director
Explorer employees will begin volunteering with Gaining Ground in 2027. To learn more about the organization, visit gaininggroundliteracy.org.
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About Explorer Pipeline
Explorer Pipeline, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a common carrier pipeline company with approximately 250 employees. It transports refined petroleum products through an 1,868-mile pipeline system extending from Port Arthur, Texas to the upper Midwest and serving major markets, including Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis and Chicago. The southern system currently has a capacity of 660,000 barrels per day and the northern system currently has a capacity of 450,000 barrels per day. For more information, please visit expl.com.
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