Oklahoma City YWCA loses $280,000 to embezzlement

She emphasized that none of the missing funds came from the organization's capital campaign contributions, grants, charitable contributions or private donations.

“The YWCA management and board of directors place top priority on fiscal responsibility and financial transparency, and although we have strict financial policies and procedures in place to prevent the misuse of our funds, we have been the victim of embezzlement,” Peery said.

She said the YWCA recently instituted additional internal policies and controls for its retail operations.

“We are confident these controls will prevent this from occurring in the future,” she said.

“The store is still in operation,” she said. “It's been difficult on their staff, but we're committed to looking on the bright side. We know that store is going to be … profitable in the future.”

YWCA Oklahoma City focuses on combating domestic violence and sexual assault. It operates a certified shelter for battered women and children in Oklahoma County.

The organization is projecting revenues of $3.4 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year, excluding money received through its capital campaign.

The $15 million capital campaign seeks to raise funds for a new Oklahoma County shelter for victims of domestic violence.