Looking for whales in Oklahoma? The odds run pretty high against that, but if you find your way to Catoosa, you’ll discover The Blue Whale in its pond and park. You might need a few directions to get there, but it’s a fun and worthwhile destination.
Finding grants can sometimes feel the same way. How best to find and navigate your way to a successful funding destination? Start right here! Check out the links to Oklahoma Funding Sources below for a list of the top giving foundations, corporations and state and federal grant-making departments.
That’s a lot of great potential funders, but the odds are still a challenge because each one of them seems to have a different set of application requirements. How do you figure out which one’s are the best match for you? Good question! First, learn how to narrow your search to find the specific funders who support the work your organization provides. Who teaches that? We do!
First, take an even closer look at the lists of Oklahoma’s funding sources. Here’s why: Each one is different, so it’s essential that you find and apply only for grants for which your organization is a good match. If you apply without doing that, you’ll be spending countless hours and a great deal of effort wandering around in the wilderness. Remember, we’re here to coach you through this!
Second, submit the most compelling and complete grant proposal you can! The Grantsmanship Training Program is an excellent way to learn how that’s done. If you’re not able attend in person, then our industry-leading textbook, Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing and webinars are the next best thing. While you’re on our website, check out our other exciting and helpful free resources including articles, blogs and podcasts.
Third, once you’ve been awarded a grant, it’s time to manage the dollars and track the outcomes. Sign up for our mailing list and download the free Winning Grants Power Pack. It includes an overview about designing an effective tracking and grant management plan before you write the proposal. Including this in your document will greatly impress potential funders.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Governor Kevin Stitt - (405) 521-2342, Oklahoma City, OK
U.S. Senator James “Jim” Inhofe - (202) 224-4721, Washington, DC
U.S. Senator James Lankford - (202) 224-5754, Washington, DC
Attorney General Mike Hunter - (405) 521-3921, Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma Arts Council - The official state agency for the financial support and development of the arts in Oklahoma.
If you’d like to know the names and addresses of other elected officials that represent you and your area, click here to locate them: Oklahoma Elected Officials.
OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS
Here’s a wonderful resource to explore: Oklahoma has 8 Community Foundations providing funding and other services to nonprofits, schools, artists, churches and other groups through their own endowments and through their donor advised funds. Click on the link above to see a list of them on our website, or simply click on the specific Foundation names below. While each one is based in a specific city, most Community Foundations provide grant and scholarship dollars well beyond their local areas.
Want to learn more about Community Foundations before approaching them for funding, or to learn about their other offerings? Click here on What’s a Community Foundation? The explanation will put you on a more solid foundation of understanding (pardon the pun!).
Bartlesville Community Foundation - The Bartlesville Community Foundation works with organizations and individuals to help fulfill their charitable goals. Most of their funds have already been designated to support the work their donors identify as important to them. However, the Foundation does make a limited number of grants from its unrestricted funds and special programs. The requirements to apply for these funds vary (See? Research skills are key here, too!) and are open during specific grant cycles during the year. Click here on Grant Requirements Overview for their details.
Cherokee Strip Community Foundation - Based in Enid and also serving the needs of communities in the Northwest part of the state, CSCF welcomes proposals from any non-profit organization in the Cherokee Strip Region with an IRS tax exempt status. The Foundation will consider funding for special projects, innovative programs, and equipment. Most grants are in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. Larger grants could be made on occasion.
City of Muskogee Foundation - CMF was established in 2008 for the purpose of effectively developing, supporting, promoting, and improving programs and facilities relating to education, arts, culture, community revitalization and beautification, social services, health care, economic development, infrastructure, housing, and recreation for the City of Muskogee and surrounding areas.
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma City - Since its birth, CFO has grown from a single fund serving one community to a statewide organization with more than 850 active funds and collective assets approaching one hundred million dollars. CFO's component funds awarded more than $12 million in grants during the 2017 calendar year.
Norman Community Foundation - NCF was established in 1995 to serve as a channel for the distribution of funds from donors to organizations based in the City of Norman that provide vital services to the community. Click on Grants & Scholarships to start your application process. FYI: NCF is managed by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Community Foundation - OCCF’s mission is to serve the charitable purposes of its donors and the charitable needs of the Oklahoma City area. Its grant programs and donors have varying requirements, so click here on Grant Programs to find out the details.
Tulsa Community Foundation - Through the creation of giving funds, individuals, families and corporations support nonprofit organizations by recommending grants to aid the charity’s cause. TCF reviews each donor’s recommendations for grant recipients, and approved grants are made to charities in the name of the donor’s fund. Grants are not solely to support organizations in Oklahoma but all over the U.S. and even internationally.
Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation - The Foundation’s mission is to promote philanthropy, to provide charitable opportunities, to facilitate donors’ interests, and to leave a legacy for future generations. Click here on Grant & Scholarship Programs to learn more about their philanthropy giving.
OKLAHOMA RESOURCES & TOOLS
In addition to Community Foundations, there are additional organizations that provide a wide variety of help to nonprofits and other community service efforts, such as legal guidance, volunteer matching, sustainability workshops, and more. Check out the list below and click away on whichever ones offer the type of services and support you’re looking for.
The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits - The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits is the key nonprofit organization equipping and strengthening the Oklahoma nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking and grant awards. The Standards for Excellence® clinic series is the Center’s flagship program. It is nationally-renowned and tailored to Oklahoma nonprofits, offering them an ethics and accountability model they can apply to their own organizations. Public policy and membership serves as the advocacy arm of the Center. These programs act as the unified voice of the nonprofit sector in the legislature and throughout the community. They invite you to call them at 1-800-338-1798 to learn how they can support your nonprofit.
The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition - OVAC helps artists realize their potential through education, exposure and funding. Organized in 1988, OVAC is a non-profit organization that supports visual artists living and working in Oklahoma. OVAC promotes public interest in the arts and helps people of all ages understand the visual arts.
NonprofitLegalCenter.com - NLC is a for-profit, online resource for nonprofit clients. It was founded in 1997 to serve the legal needs of individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Their commitment is to protect and enforce the rights of its clients through professional, timely, cost-effective legal service.
McAfee & Taft - McAfee & Taft attorneys provide pro bono services to legal aid societies and select non-profit organizations and individuals with limited financial means. As with its fee-based clients, it is committed to providing pro bono clients with the highest quality levels of service, responsiveness and professional legal representation available.
UNITED WAYS OF OKLAHOMA
Now, this is impressive: Who else knows the specific needs of local neighborhoods as well as Community Foundations do, and also provide funds and volunteers to address them? United Way Chapters! All United Way organizations around the country are dedicated to supporting projects within the four main areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability and Disaster Recovery of Individuals. While they share this common focus, each UW chapter also provides funding and support for programs customized to the needs of its home area. To find out more about a specific UW and its resources and nonprofit funding opportunities, please click on the links below:
Ada Regional United Way, Inc.
Bartlesville Regional United Way
Blackwell United Way
Lake Area United Way, Inc. - Based in the city of Muskogee.
Ottawa County United Way, Inc. - Based in the city of Miami.
The Bryan County United Way - Based in the city of Durant.
Tulsa Area United Way
United Way of Adair County - Based in the city of Westville.
United Way of Central Oklahoma, Inc. - Based in Oklahoma City.
United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma, Inc. - Based in the city of Enid.
United Way of Norman, Inc.
United Way of Payne County - Based in the city of Stillwater.
United Way of Ponca City, Inc.
United Way of Pottawatomie County, Inc. - Based in the city of Shawnee.
United Way of Rogers and Mayes Counties, Inc. - Based in the city of Claremore.
United Way of South Central Oklahoma - Based in the city of Ardmore.
United Way of Southwest Oklahoma - Based in the city of Lawton.
United Way of Stephens County, Inc. - Based in the city of Duncan.
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