Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Oklahoma

The OAC Community Arts Experience Grants, offered by the Oklahoma Arts Council, support community vitality through funding for arts-based projects such as festivals and exhibitions. These grants aim to enhance cultural opportunities for Oklahomans and require a 100% match. Organizations may apply for two grants annually, with a maximum award of $5,000. This program fosters engagement and preserves cultural heritage, replacing the previous Small Grant Support program as of September 1, 2023.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Commerce is a trusted government agency that partners with businesses and communities for strategic and sustainable growth and success, moving Oklahoma forward to becoming a top ten state. As a result of SB 1447 (2024 Oklahoma Legislative Session), Commerce has recently restructured to focus on two key areas of focus: Community Outreach & Revitalization Enterprise (CORE) and Economic Development, Growth & Expansion (EDGE).

Our job is to bring jobs, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

CDBG Community Revitalization

The primary National Objective of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is the “development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, particularly for persons of low and moderate incomes.” The CDBG National Objective “benefit to low and moderate-income-persons” is considered a funding PRIORITY under the State’s CDBG Program and is treated as such under the State’s individual CDBG set-asides. 

The Community Revitalization Program addresses quality of life needs in rural Oklahoma communities, helping these communities thrive, grow, and spark a sense of pride in citizens. An Applicant may submit a project proposal for any eligible activity listed under Section 105(a) of the Federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, other than water or wastewater projects.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Here at the Department of Commerce, our job is to bring employment, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

Community Development Block Grant Programs

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program enables rural Oklahoma communities to finance a variety of public infrastructure and economic improvements and helps promote job growth as a result of these improvements. CDBG funds are provided by the federal government (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to help ensure Oklahoma’s most critical needs are addressed.

CDBG Water + Wastewater Engineering

The Water and Wastewater Engineering Program funds water and wastewater projects that require more than one year to complete through a “phased approach”. Phase I of the Water and Wastewater Engineering program covers only engineering costs plus an appropriate amount of administration. Once the applicant receives their construction permit, the Community Development Division at Commerce will issue an award for construction, and the second phase (Phase II) of the project will begin.

The Oklahoma Arts Council offers Classroom Supply Grants for Visual and Performing Arts, providing up to $500 annually for schools to purchase essential art supplies. This funding addresses the critical need identified by teachers for effective visual and performing arts education, enabling schools to maintain valuable programs that enhance student learning and creativity. Applications are due by August 22, 2025, and require a user account in the Fluxx grant portal.

The OAC Essential Arts Education Grants for Schools supports Oklahoma schools in enhancing arts education programs during the school day. Schools can apply for up to $5,000 per year, fostering significant improvements in academic performance and student engagement. Arts education develops essential skills, promotes creativity, and encourages civic responsibility. With a focus on hands-on learning led by qualified educators, these grants aim to expand access to various art forms, benefiting both students and the broader community.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Here at the Department of Commerce, our job is to bring employment, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

Community Development Block Grant Programs

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program enables rural Oklahoma communities to finance a variety of public infrastructure and economic improvements and helps promote job growth as a result of these improvements. CDBG funds are provided by the federal government (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to help ensure Oklahoma’s most critical needs are addressed.

CDBG Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP)

The CDBG REAP Program was developed in partnership with the Substate Planning Districts (SSPD) to make a greater impact on each district by matching CDBG funds dollar for dollar on each project in their respective area.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Here at the Department of Commerce, our job is to bring employment, investment, and economic prosperity to the state of Oklahoma. Through dynamic partnerships and innovative collaborations with companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and government leaders, we are building a business environment that supports business growth and shared community prosperity.

P3 Pooled Finance Program

Allows communities to utilize the state’s Pooled Finance Program for infrastructure development

This Public-Private Partnership (P3) program facilitates local infrastructure development where there is also a benefit to for-profit companies. Infrastructure development can include any critical infrastructure identified by local government entities contributing to the competitiveness of the region’s economy and essential for government functions.

P3 for Education and Workforce Development

Workforce development and access to skilled labor are critical factors for Oklahoma's companies to be competitive in the marketplace and for the continued success of the state's economic development efforts. Workforce boards, CareerTechs, colleges and universities have access to various tools that can help them obtain the necessary resources to develop a skilled workforce.

One of these tools is Oklahoma’s Public-Private Partnership for Education, a Public-Private Partnership (P3) program, that facilitates industry workforce development where there is also a benefit to for-profit companies and is intended to enhance an industry’s competitiveness, enhancing the region’s and state’s economy.

Projects must begin within 6 months of application approval. Awarded funds will not cover 100% of project costs.

What are eligible projects?

Projects where a CareerTech, college or university is providing industry-focused training that must be developed collaboratively with employers in a common industry.

How may the training be delivered?

Workforce training/instruction may be delivered solely by the applying entity or in conjunction with other eligible entities, which may include entities subject to State Department of Education (K-12). For example, a CareerTech may collaborate with a K-12 institution to provide industry-specific skills training.

How does it work?

• For-profit entities in a common industry that would benefit from specific skills development can collaborate with an applying entity to identify the skills required, method of delivery and tools needed to provide instruction.

• The qualifying educational institution would be allowed to capture state withholding taxes associated with those for-profit companies for a defined term to assist with the costs of developing a program and delivering the instruction.

Uses of funds can include the below:

• Assist with construction/renovation; or
• Purchase machinery/equipment; or
• Purchase training program; or
• Hire instructors (contract basis)

Oklahoma State Department of Education

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the state education agency of the State of Oklahoma charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system of Oklahoma. The State Board of Education is composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction and six members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. 

Together with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Department forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system.

Oklahoma Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a substantial grant totaling $58.9 million, with $11,228,650 allocated for the first year. This grant, awarded through the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant Program, will fund a transformative initiative in line with Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Literacy Plan. The initiative's primary objective is to enhance school readiness and improve language and literacy success among disadvantaged students throughout the state.

OCLSD Grant Overview

As part of this initiative, twenty districts across Oklahoma have been awarded subgranted funds to support the implementation of literacy programs specifically designed for their student populations, birth through grade 12. These subgrants will enable schools to improve literacy instruction, offer targeted interventions, and build a stronger foundation in language arts for their students.

The project aims to achieve the following key objectives:

• Early Language Development: Increase the percentage of participating four-year-old children making significant gains in oral language skills.
• Elementary Literacy Proficiency: Increase the percentage of participating fifth-grade students who meet or exceed proficiency levels on the Oklahoma State Testing Program (OSTP) English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment.
• Middle School Literacy Proficiency: Increase the percentage of participating eighth-grade students who meet or exceed proficiency levels on the OSTP ELA Assessment.
• High School Literacy Proficiency: Increase the percentage of participating eleventh-grade students who meet the college readiness benchmark in reading and English on the ACT.
• Teacher Training and Professional Development: Provide extensive training for Oklahoma teachers in the science of reading and effective literacy instructional strategies to ensure high-quality literacy education statewide.

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

The Vulcan Materials Company Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community quality of life through education, environmental stewardship, and employee involvement. Established in 1988, the Foundation supports public charities and government units, prioritizing proposals that improve public education and promote sustainable practices. Special consideration is given to initiatives that engage Vulcan employees and integrate multiple focus areas, ensuring a positive impact in the local communities where Vulcan operates.

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund offers matching support grants to nonprofit organizations in central Oklahoma, focusing on endowment funds. Organizations can apply for grants to match their fundraising efforts, with varying amounts based on the type of endowment established. The fund emphasizes the importance of building endowments to ensure financial sustainability and supports initiatives across various areas including arts, education, and community enhancement. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) public charities that align with the fund's interests.

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund offers large grants over $15,000 to nonprofit organizations in central Oklahoma and the Pikes Peak region. It focuses on projects that enhance arts, education, health, and community well-being. Applicants must demonstrate measurable outcomes and align with the foundation's mission. Prioritization is given to organizations with a broad community impact and innovative programming. Note that requests for ongoing support or capital projects are not eligible. A Letter of Intent is required one month prior to the application deadline.

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund offers Project Support through small grants aimed at enhancing community quality of life in central Oklahoma. Eligible projects must achieve measurable outcomes within a specific timeframe and align with the organization's mission. The fund prioritizes support for arts, education, health, and community development initiatives. Importantly, it excludes requests for ongoing program support or capital projects, ensuring a focus on impactful, time-limited projects that benefit local communities.

Oklahoma State Department of Health

The Oklahoma State Department of Health protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. Five major service branches - Community Health, Family Health Services, Prevention and Preparedness, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Protective Health Services - provide technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Rural Regional Reorientation (RRR) Program

RRR funding is intended to improve access to critical localized and/or specialized care, quality through meaningful reductions in disease and avoidable hospitalizations, and sustainability through more effective and efficient care in rural Oklahoma. To quickly begin to achieve reorientation objectives, priority will be given to applications that can immediately action on the needs of rural Oklahomans.

RRR will provide grants of up to $4 million to eligible clinical and social service providers, either individually or in partnership with one or more entities.

RRR aims to achieve its goals through an investment in the future of rural health partnerships. OSDH anticipates subsequent years of funding will aim to further these objectives through coordinated and sustained partnerships that require more intensive planning. Participation in year one is not a requirement for participation in years 2-5. More details about years 2-5 RRR funding are expected to be released in the coming months.

Funding can be used for both planning (e.g., technical assistance ahead of implementation) and implementation, though application must explicitly identify any funding intended for planning.  

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

About Oklahoma CareerTech

For more than 100 years, Oklahoma’s system of career and technology education has focused on improving Oklahoma’s economy by offering individuals the training and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace and providing companies with the workforce necessary to compete globally.

Oklahoma CareerTech is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 62 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 Adult Education and Family Literacy service providers.

Perkins Innovative Grants

Things to know:

• All grants will be on a two-year award cycle (except CTE New Program Grant) to match the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment timeline. To be eligible for awards, recipients will be required to complete and submit their Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment.

• Grant recipients will have to show progress towards goal completion by the end of the first year of funding to receive 2nd year funding. These Benchmarks will be developed in collaboration with the Program area innovative grant leads and the recipients.

• Districts can apply for multiple grants. 

There are 8 Innovative Grants that all eligible recipients can apply for: 1) Career Development and Programs of Study; 2) Career Pathways, Workforce, and Industry Partnerships; 3) Supporting CTE Special Populations; 4) High Growth and Emerging Technologies; 5) Innovation in Career Exploration; 6) Innovative Strategies to Recruit and Retain CTE Instructors - High Schools/Tech Centers That Work & Other; 7) CTE New Program; 8) Improving Academic Proficiency

Career Development and Programs of Study

Career development is an educational program designed to assure students know how to make career choices and create full Carl Perkins Programs of Study individual career plans to prepare themselves for those careers. The program ensures individuals make informed career decisions based on facts. Career development, based upon the tenet that individuals who have career maturity make better career choices and have a better sense of the education plans needed to reach their career goals, including entrepreneurship. Career maturity is when an individual has personal insight into the process of and readiness for making career choices. It is NOT the process of choosing a specific career or job. Career Development programs assist students in defining career pathways that prepare them for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupations.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Brent & Janees Taylor RSU Business Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate student majoring in business at Rogers State University with a minimum 2.5 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship awarded in the fall semester, reserved for a Cherokee Nation citizen residing in Rogers or Mayes County.

The Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma is launching its 2025 grant cycle aimed at empowering women and girls across the state. This initiative emphasizes collaboration among nonprofits, educational institutions, and communities to address critical issues and maximize impact. Eligible organizations include 501c3 nonprofits in good standing or higher education institutions, provided they have representation at the 2025 WFO Convening. This grant cycle seeks to drive meaningful change and foster sustainable development in Oklahoma.

The University of Tulsa/Cherokee Nation Foundation Scholarship aims to support Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants include undergraduate students and graduating high school seniors accepted to the University of Tulsa. This renewable scholarship lasts up to five years, contingent on maintaining a 3.0 GPA and good standing. A letter of reference is also required for consideration, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities and reducing student debt among Cherokee students.

Simmons First Foundation: Environmental Grant

Amount:

• $2,500 up to $25,000

These funds are to be used for conservation and/or environmental purposes. We prefer the projects support the overall theme of youth (K-12) in the fields of education or health care, however, we do have flexibility on projects that will have an indirect impact on youth. Categories for this grant include, but not limited to: water, air, hunting/fishing, forestry, outdoor education, energy, etc.

The Windgate Charitable Trust Grant supports contemporary craft and visual arts in the U.S. It offers funding for fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, and materials for craft programs. The foundation prioritizes strengthening visual arts in colleges and expanding K-12 art-integrated programs, providing opportunities for artists and educators to enhance their skills and foster creativity among students. Organizations with previous funding from Windgate can apply through the grantee portal.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools across the US to implement the PLTW Gateway program for the first time. With total funding of $9,100, the grant covers participation fees and training registration costs. Schools, including public, private, and charter, are encouraged to apply, particularly those serving low-income and minority majority populations. This initiative aims to enhance educational pathways in STEM for diverse student groups.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building opportunity aims to enhance the capabilities of university researchers in eligible states. Managed by the DoD, this initiative focuses on increasing the number of researchers capable of conducting relevant science and engineering research. The program also seeks to strengthen institutions of higher education and improve their competitiveness for federal research funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth in financial assistance for scientific research.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

The Region VIII Scholarship, offered by ASHRAE, is a one-year award for undergraduate pre-engineering or engineering students attending accredited institutions within Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mexico. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 or rank in the top 30% of their class. Scholarships support students pursuing degrees related to HVAC&R, fostering future leaders in sustainable built environments.

The ALDI Community Gift Card Program provides financial support ranging from $100 to $1,000 to eligible nonprofits and schools that focus on after-school and out-of-school youth programs, as well as food banks. This initiative aims to empower organizations dedicated to child development and combating food insecurity. By applying, you can gain access to essential resources to further your mission and make a positive impact in your community.