Best Arts Grants for Nonprofits in Oklahoma

Oklahoma arts and culture nonprofits can seek funding for general operations, transformative projects, capital campaigns, and event sponsorships. Focused on community enhancement, education, human services, and journalism, Inasmuch Foundation invites a single request per 12-month period from organizations working within its stated focus areas across the Oklahoma City community.

Individual visual artists in Oklahoma can receive up to US $500 to support essential aspects of their professional practice, from artwork documentation and framing to travel and website development. Grants from Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition help artists, curators, and art writers 21 and older, with at least 12 months’ state residency, advance their work and public presentation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts and humanities and other community programs in Oklahoma can seek support for projects that improve quality of life. Cresap Family Foundation supports youth and families, health and wellness, education, arts and humanities, animal welfare, and community development, with a strong preference for Central and Northeast Oklahoma counties.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for arts, culture, education, health, or community services can request funding for equipment and special program needs. Focused on organizations within about 30 miles of Tulsa or Eufaula, Gelvin Foundation invites eligible groups to apply, with first-time applicants encouraged to begin with a brief letter of inquiry.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) organizations providing arts, cultural, educational, or human services programs can seek support for charitable projects that directly serve underserved populations. Focused on education, social services, and cultural and humanitarian programs of state significance, Sarkeys Foundation funds Oklahoma-based nonprofits that are not private foundations and limits applicants to one request per year.

Nonprofit arts, cultural, educational, and community organizations in Oklahoma can seek funding for special projects and programs that benefit their communities. McCasland Foundation supports art and culture, education initiatives in public schools and universities, and community-based organizations, with most giving focused on southwestern Oklahoma and some openness to requests from Louisiana.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Oklahoma providing social services, housing, health, or basic needs support may be eligible for general operating, program, or capital funding. With a mission to lift neighbors out of poverty, Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation prioritizes homelessness prevention, healthcare and mental health access, social services, hunger relief, and related community programs, especially in greater Tulsa.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations presenting Japanese arts and culture projects in Oklahoma and other states east of the Rocky Mountains can receive support for performances, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and online cultural exchange. Japan Foundation New York reimburses eligible costs such as publicity, artist honoraria, travel, shipping, and online-related expenses.

Nonprofit organizations, local governments, schools, libraries, universities, and tribal governments in Oklahoma can receive support for arts-focused festivals, exhibitions, and performances through the Small Grant Support category. Focused on community arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council funds artistic, marketing, technical, facility, and administrative costs, with up to US $2,500 per grant and a required 1:1 cash match.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking capital support for facilities or infrastructure can apply for funding that advances basic human needs, housing, health, and social services. The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation prioritizes work in the greater Tulsa area and also considers projects that enrich local culture and quality of life, including arts and cultural institutions.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) arts and culture nonprofits seeking endowment growth can apply for approximately US $15,000 in matching support to build funds at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Focused on arts and humanities, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund invites organizations serving central Oklahoma to strengthen long-term financial sustainability through new or established nonprofit endowment funds.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking more than US $15,000 for arts and culture projects or operations can apply for large grants supporting time-bound, measurable programs. Kirkpatrick Family Fund prioritizes organizations serving central Oklahoma, and arts-focused groups may be especially competitive within its broader community, education, and human services funding areas.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking project-based support for arts, humanities, education, health, human services, or community development can apply for Kirkpatrick Family Fund’s Project Support: Small Grants, with awards up to US $15,000. Funding is for time-limited projects with measurable results; priority goes to organizations serving central Oklahoma.

Oklahoma arts and culture nonprofits offering community programs in Union Pacific–served communities can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants. Awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support projects under its Community Vitality focus, including cultural experiences, youth development, and community enrichment with a strong diversity, equity, and inclusion component.

Early-career LGBTQ+ performance artists creating new avant-garde work in Oklahoma and other eligible states can receive US $5,000 to develop original performance art. Focused on conceptual and performance art, Franklin Furnace Fund invites vocational, non-student artists who generate and control their own work to apply through the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near James Avery retail locations in Oklahoma can seek more than US $10,000 in cash, event sponsorship, or in-kind support for arts, culture, community, education, veterans, wellness, and inclusion programs. Grants from James Avery Charitable Foundation support direct-service projects that enrich local quality of life; organizations may receive support once per year.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering arts, culture, community development, education, wellness, or first responder and veteran services within 50 miles of a James Avery location, including in Oklahoma, can apply for James Avery Charitable Foundation’s corporate grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $25,000 for programs that enrich quality of life and provide direct services.

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) believes art can be a catalyst for expression, connection, collaboration, and community. This philosophy is reflected in our mission and values.

M-AAA is a nonprofit, regional arts organization representing Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. We focus on strengthening communities and improving lives by supporting artists, elevating arts organizations, and connecting people to extraordinary cultural experiences.

Artistic Innovations Grants for Individual Artists

Program Objectives

The Artistic Innovations program supports the development of new or original works of art across all disciplines, created exclusively by in-region individual artists and art-based organizations in M-AAA’s six-state region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Native Nations in this geography). Eligible applicants include individual artists and nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations in the region.

Individual Artist Grant Considerations

The Artistic Innovations grant program supports direct project expenses incurred in the art-making process and production of public-facing engagements to individuals through private funds. These grants are funded through private support and, unlike Artistic Innovations grants to organizations, are not supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Registered Canadian or U.S. charities and nonprofit organizations running arts and culture or community programs in Oklahoma can apply for BMO Financial Group’s BMO Gives funding. Awards support initiatives that strengthen communities, expand financial education and economic mobility, and advance environmental sustainability across Canada and the U.S.

Immigrant culinary professionals working in fields like food and beverage, culinary media, and storytelling in the U.S., including Oklahoma, can apply for Vilcek Foundation’s Creative Promise prizes, which award US $50,000 in unrestricted cash. Eligible applicants are early-career, foreign-born individuals with at least five years of experience who intend to pursue their careers in the United States.

The Valley Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Santa Clara County and beyond by supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation initiatives, the Foundation provides essential funding to groups dedicated to societal improvement. By fostering partnerships with like-minded entities, The Valley Foundation strives to create lasting positive change through its grant-making efforts.

Oklahoma arts nonprofits and presenting organizations collaborating with artists on new work that advances racial and cultural justice can access funding through National Performance Network’s Creation & Development Fund. Eligible projects support early-stage creation and community exchange, with approximately US $15,000 in unrestricted support plus potential multi-level backing through co-commissioners.

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, established by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has distributed over $16.3 million in grants since 1999. It supports charitable organizations and local governments in eleven Oregon counties, as well as Native American initiatives across the U.S. The fund prioritizes education, health, public safety, addiction prevention, housing, arts, and environmental preservation, ensuring the Tribe's commitment to community support and cultural heritage.

The Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, offered by Morris Arts, awards $1,500 to graduating high school seniors in New Jersey who demonstrate artistic excellence in various disciplines such as dance, drama, visual arts, or music. Applicants are evaluated by a panel of experts based on their work samples, essays, and dedication to the arts. The scholarship directly supports tuition at the chosen college or arts program, continuing the legacy of Eugenie R. Coladarci, a passionate advocate for young artists.

The Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship, established in 2002, offers $5,000 to graduating high school seniors in New Jersey who demonstrate artistic excellence in various disciplines such as dance, drama, visual arts, or music. The scholarship is awarded based on a panel's evaluation of work samples and character. This initiative honors Elaine Ehlers' legacy, promoting arts education and supporting students pursuing their creative passions at accredited institutions.

The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation Grants support tax-exempt organizations working to enhance lives through arts, healthcare, education, and youth programs. The foundation requires a Letter of Intent (LOI) from all applicants, emphasizing its mission to select grant recipients who align with its values. Grants are not available for political purposes, endowment campaigns, or organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, or religion. This framework ensures a focused impact on community betterment.

The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Grant supports the Armenian community in Armenia and the U.S., focusing on Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. The Foundation prioritizes education, healthcare, arts, and youth development through grants to registered non-profits. Proposals should demonstrate sustainability and community impact, with favorable consideration given to projects that engage local stakeholders and foster collaboration. Applications are accepted year-round, with a maximum funding limit of $10,000 for operational expenses.