Best Oklahoma Grants for Nonprofits

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.

About The Council

The mission of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma is to advance communities where everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play where they choose. The Council builds partnerships to change systems to improve services, resources, and supports for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities and their families.

Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma

The Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO) welcomes unsolicited proposals and applications for contracts to fund activities to advance the independence, productivity, and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

What does DDCO do?

Provide information and technical assistance to legislators, policymakers, and state agencies, private organizations, and advocates.

Provide assistance to individuals and organizations to support individuals with developmental disabilities and family members to participate on advocacy boards and attend conferences.

Participate in work groups, task forces, and coalitions that affect policy making at the state and federal levels.

Fund leadership and advocacy training for advocates and field professionals.

Fund work performed by council staff or other entities that will: 

• Identify individuals and their families who may need services or supports,
• Foster inter-agency collaboration and coordination resulting in improved service or support,
• Reduce or eliminate barriers to services; or redesign systems of support to better meet individual needs,
• Inform policymakers on the results of its work, policy design, best and promising practices, or other findings that may inform future policy decisions, or 
• Create model projects or programs demonstrating new approaches to serving Oklahoman's with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• DDCO can fund up to 75% of the total project cost that provides training or an innovative demonstration of new approaches, but will not fund direct services to people as a primary goal of a project.                                                                           

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The Gordon J. Barnett Memorial Foundation, established in 1955, supports educational initiatives in Florida, Indiana, New York, and Oklahoma. It prioritizes funding for tax-exempt organizations, including primary schools, universities, and trade schools. The foundation does not fund political campaigns or individuals. Grants are aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and preventing cruelty to children and animals, reflecting the foundation's commitment to charitable and educational purposes.

The OARA Grow Oklahoma Scholarship, offered by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, supports Oklahoma students pursuing education in agricultural fields. This initiative reflects a commitment to community development and educational advancement in rural areas. By providing financial assistance directly to universities, the scholarship facilitates a seamless educational journey for recipients. The foundation is dedicated to connecting individuals and organizations to enhance the philanthropic landscape in Oklahoma, fostering sustainable growth and positive change.

Casey’s Donation Requests support vital community needs in Education, Hunger, and Community Servants. Eligible 501(c)3 organizations within Casey’s communities can apply through the online Donation Request Form. Requests are reviewed continuously, with feedback provided via email within one month. Priority is given to organizations that haven't received donations in the current giving calendar year, which runs from May 1 to April 30.

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.

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.

About

Our Mission

The mission of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, a nonprofit public charity, is to serve the charitable purposes of its donors and the charitable needs of the Oklahoma City area through the development and administration of endowment and other charitable funds with the goal of preserving capital and enhancing value.

Hospice Foundation of Oklahoma

The Hospice Foundation of Oklahoma at OCCF grant opportunity is designed to improve end-of-life care for Oklahomans and increase education and awareness of hospice and palliative care options throughout the state.

Priorities

The organization must improve end-of-life-care for Oklahomans through one or more of the following:

• Education for health care professionals
• Awareness for Oklahomans around hospice and palliative care
• Social model hospice facilities and services

Awards are made up to $30,000.

About

Our Mission

The mission of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, a nonprofit public charity, is to serve the charitable purposes of its donors and the charitable needs of the Oklahoma City area through the development and administration of endowment and other charitable funds with the goal of preserving capital and enhancing value.

About the Donna Nigh Foundation

In 1985, friends of Donna Nigh formed the Donna Nigh Foundation as a birthday present and in recognition of Mrs. Nigh’s commitment and work on behalf of the state’s developmentally disabled residents, a cause she has championed since 1968. Since its inception, the Donna Nigh Foundation has awarded grants helping thousands of Oklahomans and their families. Many of these grants provide funding for adaptive equipment for individuals in private residences, group homes and schools with the goal of helping these individuals be as self-sufficient as possible.

Grants for Individuals

The Donna Nigh Foundation supports assistance for adaptive equipment (not services) such as:

• Aids for Daily Living
• Mobility Seating/Positioning
• Classroom Learning Cognition & Developmental Equipment
• Environmental Adaptations

One-time grants up to $2,500 will be awarded.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

Oklahoma Poetry Out Loud Partnership Grant

Through the Oklahoma Poetry Out Loud Partnership Grant, one organization is selected to partner with the Oklahoma Arts Council in coordinating and implementing the annual state Poetry Out Loud competition in high schools statewide. The competition is part of the national Poetry Out Loud program administered by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, encouraging the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. Launched in high schools nationwide in 2006, Poetry Out Loud helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. The program has grown to involve millions of students across the country annually.

Program Objectives

• Help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life
• Create lifelong lovers of poetry and creative writing
• Improve students’ analytical skills through reading and interpreting a variety of poems

The OAC Community Arts Learning Grants support community-based arts learning programs across Oklahoma, emphasizing the transformative power of the arts. Established by the Oklahoma Arts Council, these grants aim to boost community vitality, enhance quality of life, and preserve cultural heritage. Funding is available for workshops and classes that serve people of all ages and abilities, ensuring accessibility to the arts for all Oklahomans.

The Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grants aim to empower organizations to serve military-connected individuals through arts programs. Grants of up to $5,000 support learning-based and audience-based initiatives that engage active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This initiative, part of the Oklahoma Arts and the Military Initiative, fosters greater accessibility to the arts for the military community, enhancing their well-being and connection through creative expression.

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.

Audie Baker Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in education with an emphasis on special education at Northeastern State University with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship awarded in the fall semester, reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens.

The OCCF: Donna Nigh Foundation Grant supports Oklahoma-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and accredited schools that provide essential services to individuals with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundation provides funding for adaptive equipment and activities aimed at enhancing independence and quality of life. Eligible projects include environmental adaptations, classroom equipment, and sheltered workshop activities, while special events and capital improvements are excluded from funding.

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

Through its dual focus on government services and library development, ODL plays a vital role in preserving Oklahoma’s history, supporting efficient governance, and ensuring libraries remain vibrant community hubs.

ODL’s work is divided into two primary areas: Services to Government and Services to Libraries. The Services to Government division includes managing the State Library and administering the State Archives and Records Management Division. The Services to Libraries division focuses on Library Development and Statewide Initiatives, supporting public libraries, and fostering statewide library programs.

Civic Engagement Grant

Libraries play a key role in sharing information and resources to support citizens becoming civically engaged in their communities. This grant provides an opportunity for libraries and community-based literacy programs in partnership with libraries to share accurate and current information to achieve the following purposes:

• fostering on going civic engagement, and/or
• achieving citizenship for eligible individuals.

Eligible activities can include any combination of providing resources, programs, instruction, and/or one-on-one tutoring to support the grant’s purpose.

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

Through its dual focus on government services and library development, ODL plays a vital role in preserving Oklahoma’s history, supporting efficient governance, and ensuring libraries remain vibrant community hubs.

ODL’s work is divided into two primary areas: Services to Government and Services to Libraries. The Services to Government division includes managing the State Library and administering the State Archives and Records Management Division. The Services to Libraries division focuses on Library Development and Statewide Initiatives, supporting public libraries, and fostering statewide library programs.

Professional Development Conference Grant - Association of Rural and Small Libraries

The Professional Development Conference Grant supports Oklahoma public library staff attending the 2026 Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Annual Conference. Funded through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the grant helps library professionals expand their skills, connect with peers, and strengthen library services in communities across Oklahoma. Funding is available to assist eligible applicants with conference registration reimbursement for the ARSL conference in Montgomery, Alabama.  This grant is for reimbursement ONLY. 

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.

The Diminished Tree Species Grant Program focuses on restoring native tree species crucial for biodiversity and forest health. By funding scientific research, seed orchard development, and land preservation, the program aims to combat climate change through effective tree restoration projects. The Oak Hill Fund, a private entity, encourages project-specific applications, prioritizing organizations that meet eligibility criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. This initiative is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating environmental impacts.

The Cresap Family Foundation Grant supports charities in Central and Northeast Oklahoma, reflecting the family's commitment to the community after their long-standing business. With a focus on youth, health, education, arts, and welfare, the Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for Oklahomans. It prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations, especially those in counties where the family operated, ensuring a targeted impact in the areas most connected to their legacy.

The TSET Built Environment Grants, initiated by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, aim to enhance public health in Oklahoma by funding projects that promote physical activity and nutrition. With a total funding of $4.6 million, eligible organizations can apply for grants to improve community infrastructure, including parks, fitness centers, and access to healthy food. This initiative focuses on reducing preventable deaths related to tobacco use and obesity, thereby improving overall health outcomes for Oklahomans.

The grant will enable libraries to support public programming connected to the America 250 commemoration, encourage civic engagement, historical reflection, and community dialogue, highlight history through local and national perspectives on American experiences, and expand access to high-quality educational and cultural programming for communities across Oklahoma.

The Inasmuch Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives in Central Oklahoma, focusing on areas such as education, human services, and journalism. Established in 1982 by philanthropist Edith Kinney Gaylord, the foundation emphasizes community engagement and transparency in funding. Organizations can apply for general operating support grants, with amounts ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, and are encouraged to pursue partnerships in priority areas, including education reform and workforce development.

The Gelvin Foundation, established by Lyle M. Gelvin, supports non-profit organizations primarily in Oklahoma, focusing on those within a 30-mile radius of Tulsa or Eufaula. Since 1996, the Foundation has granted over $9 million to more than 230 organizations, fostering strong relationships with grantees. It prioritizes projects that directly benefit local communities, ensuring that funds are allocated to initiatives that meet the unique needs of the citizens in these areas.

Simmons First Foundation: Make a Difference Grant

Amount:

• $2,500 up to $50,000

For the upcoming grant cycle, funding will be limited to programs focused on:Special Education:  K-12 Youth with disabilities, including physical disabilities, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and sensory impairments.   (examples including):

• Inclusive theater and performing arts programs
• Adapted, hands-on STEM learning
• Accessible coding, robotics, and maker-space activities
• Science-based learning adapted for diverse abilities
• Assistive technology and adaptive learning tools
• Adaptive physical education and recreation programs

Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention:  K-12 Youth (examples including):

• Evidence-based prevention programs targeting alcohol, opioids, vaping, and other substance use
• Skill-building programs that focus on refusal skills, decision making, coping strategies, and peer pressure resistanc
• Early intervention programs for at-risk youth
• Recovery support services for youth in early recovery (including peer support groups, mentoring, and relapse prevention planning)
• Youth-focused programs that teach emotional regulation, anger management, and non-violent communication
• Intervention programs for youth exposed to or at risk of violence
• Peer mediation and restorative justice programs that reduce disciplinary incidents and promote accountability

Simmons First Foundation: Mini Grant

Amount:

• $1,000 up to $2,500 
•  Projects must pertain to youth (K-12) in the fields of education or health care. Mini Grants are for immediate (long-term) needs for programs and entities must be a 501c3 organization.