Policy and Procedures for Marketing Expenditures for Economic Development & Community Services

It shall be the policy of the Authority to fulfill the above objectives by establishing the following provisions:

• GRDA supports and assists activities, organizations, and causes which advance both governmental public purposes, as well as corporate purpose of GRDA by promoting community and economic development, tourism and recreational activities, and conservation and development of natural resources in the communities and industrial areas it serves. This support and assistance will be in compliance with state laws governing GRDA’s activities including marketing, consumer education, community relations and customer service functions which it performs.
• GRDA is a body corporate and politic created by statute and is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. As a result thereof, all funds generated, received and expended by GRDA are public funds and subject to state laws and regulations governing the receipt and expenditure of public funds in the same manner as all other state agencies. Among other activities prescribed by law, GRDA produces, sells and distributes electricity throughout its statutory district, as well as other areas. It is in competition with other electric utilities in the provision of these services.
• GRDA has had a longstanding practice of supporting and assisting organizations which promote certain public purposes as described above in GRDA’s Policy Statement. This practice has been deemed by the Board of Directors of GRDA to enhance its competitive position and to be important generally in carrying out the prudent operation of the business of GRDA.
• The Board of Directors historically viewed requests for support and assistance in light of whether such a request furthers a public purpose, as well as the corporate purposes of GRDA. The Board finds it necessary and desirable and in the best interest of GRDA and its ratepayers to affirm the application of the public purpose/corporate purpose standard and to better define the working framework for the handling of requests for support and assistance.

NOTE: Small grant applications have no specific deadline, but please allow 30-45 days for consideration. 

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick created the Kirkpatrick Foundation in 1955 with a check for $10,000. Today, our mission is to support arts, culture, education, animal wellbeing, environmental conservation, and historic preservation, primarily in Central Oklahoma. The foundation gives $3 million annually in grants and charitable activities. 

Arts & Culture

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick’s early investments in the arts and culture of Oklahoma City continue to live strong. Noteworthy arts and cultural organizations, large and small, contribute to the very fabric of a thriving, vibrant city. The key component of Kirkpatrick Foundation giving reflects tangible quality-of-life issues for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. From theater and dance to museums, film festivals, and exhibits, we strive to support a variety of cultural and arts programs for all of central Oklahoma’s citizens and visitors to enjoy. 

Education

Kirkpatrick Foundation has long supported education in Oklahoma City, making efforts to sustain the stakeholders of pre-K-12, university-level, and out-of-school programming. Kirkpatrick Foundation’s investment in the future of Oklahoma is made clear in our grants to educational programs that impact countless lives throughout the city. Whether arts programs in summer camps, or continuing education for teachers, our reach in Oklahoma’s educational environment is diverse and strong. 

Animal Wellbeing

From its earliest years, Kirkpatrick Foundation has been concerned with the wellbeing of animals. That concern has grown into a major commitment to ensure animals in Oklahoma are treated well wherever they live. Support has been provided for state-of-the-art veterinary equipment and supplies, medical care for search dogs and zoo animals, and emergency and disaster preparedness. The vision of Kirkpatrick Foundation is to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal by the year 2032. 

The Kirkpatrick Foundation has identified the following to be areas of acute or ongoing need (read more about them here): 

• Community
• Education & Outreach
• Farm & Industry
• Public Safety
• Shelter Administration 
• Socio-Economic Issues
• Wildlife & Conservation

Environmental Conservation

The foundation has supported programs designed to build awareness about the natural environment including soil health and freshwater protection. Programs also supported have been for conservation education for teachers and landowners, strategies to protect fauna, and making natural habitats more accessible for all citizens. The health of every community is directly tied to the quality of the environment in which we live, and the foundation seeks to support efforts to ensure that quality.

Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation is an area of foundation interest that is a tradition of several generations. Foundation efforts have included partnerships that allowed Oklahoma nonprofit property owners to have feasibility studies done for sites of historic significance. These studies outline architectural improvements and detailed structural repairs and restoration strategies needed to maintain a historic designation. Conferences and workshops to educate the public on recognized standards of practice that preserve the history of Oklahoma’s built environment are also supported.

DEQ’s Environmental Education Program is responsible for the development of educational programs and materials. The program is tasked with disseminating environmental education resources throughout the state and training educators on how to implement those resources into their classrooms.

Free presentations and information are available for schools, neighborhood associations, and community groups regarding air quality, land protection, water quality, and general environmental issues. We can have a booth, a hands-on activity, presentation, or bring publications to classrooms, community events, Natural Resources Day, Career Day, STEM Day or celebrations such as America Recycles Day, Earth Day, and more.

Southern SARE is requesting pre-proposals for either Systems Research Projects or for Education Projects and Activities that address issues of sustainable agriculture of current and potential importance to the region and the nation.

Maximum funding amount for Systems Research Projects is $400,000, and maximum funding amount for Education Projects and Activities is $50,000. Pre-proposals with smaller funding requests are welcomed and encouraged.

Southern SARE accepts proposals from applicants in the Southern region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Proposed projects must focus on Southern SARE’s program objectives in developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing farming systems toward sustainability, as defined by the Congress in the 1990 Farm Bill. Under that law, “the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

• Satisfy human food and fiber needs;
• Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
• Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
• Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick created the Kirkpatrick Foundation in 1955 with a check for $10,000. Today, our mission is to support arts, culture, education, animal wellbeing, environmental conservation, and historic preservation, primarily in Central Oklahoma. The foundation gives $3 million annually in grants and charitable activities. 

Arts & Culture

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick’s early investments in the arts and culture of Oklahoma City continue to live strong. Noteworthy arts and cultural organizations, large and small, contribute to the very fabric of a thriving, vibrant city. The key component of Kirkpatrick Foundation giving reflects tangible quality-of-life issues for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. From theater and dance to museums, film festivals, and exhibits, we strive to support a variety of cultural and arts programs for all of central Oklahoma’s citizens and visitors to enjoy. 

Education

Kirkpatrick Foundation has long supported education in Oklahoma City, making efforts to sustain the stakeholders of pre-K-12, university-level, and out-of-school programming. Kirkpatrick Foundation’s investment in the future of Oklahoma is made clear in our grants to educational programs that impact countless lives throughout the city. Whether arts programs in summer camps, or continuing education for teachers, our reach in Oklahoma’s educational environment is diverse and strong. 

Animal Wellbeing

From its earliest years, Kirkpatrick Foundation has been concerned with the wellbeing of animals. That concern has grown into a major commitment to ensure animals in Oklahoma are treated well wherever they live. Support has been provided for state-of-the-art veterinary equipment and supplies, medical care for search dogs and zoo animals, and emergency and disaster preparedness. The vision of Kirkpatrick Foundation is to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal by the year 2032. 

Environmental Conservation

The foundation has supported programs designed to build awareness about the natural environment including soil health and freshwater protection. Programs also supported have been for conservation education for teachers and landowners, strategies to protect fauna, and making natural habitats more accessible for all citizens. The health of every community is directly tied to the quality of the environment in which we live, and the foundation seeks to support efforts to ensure that quality.

Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation is an area of foundation interest that is a tradition of several generations. Foundation efforts have included partnerships that allowed Oklahoma nonprofit property owners to have feasibility studies done for sites of historic significance. These studies outline architectural improvements and detailed structural repairs and restoration strategies needed to maintain a historic designation. Conferences and workshops to educate the public on recognized standards of practice that preserve the history of Oklahoma’s built environment are also supported.

About Us

Kirkpatrick Foundation, founded by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick, is a private foundation located in Oklahoma City. Since 1955, the foundation has funded a wide range of endeavors, primarily in the arts, culture, education, animal wellbeing, environmental conservation, and historic preservation.

Kirkpatrick Foundation Large Grants

Arts & Culture

John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick’s early investments in the arts and culture of Oklahoma City continue to live strong. Noteworthy arts and cultural organizations, large and small, contribute to the very fabric of a thriving, vibrant city. The key component of Kirkpatrick Foundation giving reflects tangible quality-of-life issues for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. From theater and dance to museums, film festivals, and exhibits, we strive to support a variety of cultural and arts programs for all of central Oklahoma’s citizens and visitors to enjoy.

Education

Kirkpatrick Foundation has long supported education in Oklahoma City, making efforts to sustain the stakeholders of pre-K-12, university-level, and out-of-school programming. Kirkpatrick Foundation’s investment in the future of Oklahoma is made clear in our grants to educational programs that impact countless lives throughout the city. Whether arts programs in summer camps, or continuing education for teachers, our reach in Oklahoma’s educational environment is diverse and strong.

Animal Wellbeing

From its earliest years, Kirkpatrick Foundation has been concerned with the wellbeing of animals. That concern has grown into a major commitment to ensure animals in Oklahoma are treated well wherever they live. Support has been provided for state-of-the-art veterinary equipment and supplies, medical care for search dogs and zoo animals, and emergency and disaster preparedness. The vision of Kirkpatrick Foundation is to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal by the year 2032. 

Environmental Conservation

The foundation has supported programs designed to build awareness about the natural environment including soil health and freshwater protection. Programs also supported have been for conservation education for teachers and landowners, strategies to protect fauna, and making natural habitats more accessible for all citizens. The health of every community is directly tied to the quality of the environment in which we live, and the foundation seeks to support efforts to ensure that quality.

Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation is an area of foundation interest that is a tradition of several generations. Foundation efforts have included partnerships that allowed Oklahoma nonprofit property owners to have feasibility studies done for sites of historic significance. These studies outline architectural improvements and detailed structural repairs and restoration strategies needed to maintain a historic designation. Conferences and workshops to educate the public on recognized standards of practice that preserve the history of Oklahoma’s built environment are also supported.

Background

USDA-AMS is charged with distributing block grant funds to State Departments of Agriculture, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Funds will be distributed to the specialty crop industry through a competitive review process. Successful project application funding is contingent upon the available funding from USDA-AMS. The USDA-AMS is the funding entity and has the final approval for projects submitted. A review panel of industry representatives will make the award recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture, who will approve the state plan for submittal to USDA-AMS. The USDA-AMS will make the final decision concerning grant awards. ODAFF reserves the right to offer an award amount less than the amount requested.

For the purpose of this program, Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under section 10010 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 (the Farm Bill) defines specialty crops as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. Processed products shall consist of greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive of added water.

Purpose

To be eligible projects must show how they enhance the competitiveness of Oklahoma specialty crops in domestic or foreign markets. The funds can be used for projects involved in promotion, marketing, research, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Collection event grants are for hosting the collection of electronic waste (e-waste) and typically also include the collection of household hazardous waste (HHW), tires, unwanted residential pharmaceuticals, and medical sharps. These grants are typically provided for one, or a series of, discrete collection events. The contractor shall use an R2 or e-Steward certified electronics recycler. The contractor shall coordinate with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics or their local Environmental Officer for coordination on pharmaceuticals. Information on medical sharps collection can be found in the application. Used tires may be collected for recycling using DEQ’s Tire Program. After each collection event, the contractor shall provide an invoice including a description of the event, photos, and the types and amounts of waste collected. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $50,000.

Environmental Officer Grants 

These grants are given to curtail illegal dumping and are not to exceed $50,000. They typically provide funding for the salary of one part-time Environmental Officer, equipment used in cleaning up dumpsites, labor, and other costs associated with clean-ups. Grant recipients are required to submit monthly invoices, photos, and track certain metrics, such as number of dumps identified, and pounds of trash picked up.