Culture & Community
Previous Grantees
Cultural experiences have the power to enrich lives, expand knowledge, foster collaboration, and bring communities together around shared interests. Oklahoma’s rich cultural heritage encompasses a diverse array of traditions, artistic expressions, social practices, historical and intellectual achievements, and unique local cultures. Our goal is to support projects that celebrate and preserve these important elements of Oklahoma’s cultural fabric.
Application Process
Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)
To determine the organization’s eligibility and the project’s alignment with the grant program priorities, all potential applicants must complete an LOI by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Follow the steps below to access the LOI form:
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- Go to OCCF’s online grant portal (click here) and refer to the instructions on the right side of the homepage to log in.
- Once logged in, you will select the “Apply” icon in the top left-hand corner of your screen (next to the home icon).
- On the next screen, you will be asked to enter an access code. Input CULTURE24.
- Complete the LOI and press “Submit”!
Step 2: Grant Application
If your organization meets the eligibility requirements and your project aligns with the grant program priorities, you will receive an email granting you access to the official application. The deadline to submit your application is 5 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Please direct all login and access questions to k.vansickle@occf.org.
Important Dates
- Grant Application Opens: Monday, April 29, 2024
- Grant Information Meeting: 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
- Letter of Interest (LOI) Deadline: 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024
- Grant Application Deadline: 5 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024
- Decision Notification Timeline: End of August 2024
Geographic Focus
Projects must take place within CANADIAN, CLEVELAND, OKLAHOMA and/or LOGAN counties.
FAQs
Close
If my organization received a Culture & Community Grant last year, am I eligible to apply again this year?
Yes, you may apply if the following conditions have been met:
- The funds from your previous grant have been fully expended.
- All follow-up evaluation reports have been submitted.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All current Culture & Community grant recipients who intend to reapply for funding must submit their final evaluations no later than July 15, 2024, to be eligible for consideration.
When will I be notified of a funding decision?
All applicants will be notified of a decision by the end of August 2024 following the quarterly Oklahoma City Community Foundation Trustee Meeting.
What is the timeline to implement my project/expend the awarded grant funds?
You may start your activities as soon as you receive notification of your award. If you choose to align your project timeline with our Culture & Community grant cycle (outlined below), you will have around 10 months to finalize your activities, utilize the awarded funds, and submit your final evaluation report.
Please note that aligning your activities with our funding cycle is optional.
RACE Dance Collective – Culture & Community FY24 Recipient.
Recent Grants
Educational Programming
Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation – $20,000 – To support “Emprendedoras Rising,” an initiative empowering women entrepreneurs in the Greater OKC area.
Harding Fine Arts Academy Foundation – $5,000 – To support their Ignite Master Artist Series, which showcases Asian-American and Pacific-Islander art and culture.
Oklahoma Humanities Council – $25,000 – To support “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and book discussion program that explores diverse cultural themes.
Opry Heritage Foundation of Oklahoma – $20,000 – To support their Transforming Lives Through Music program that provides free and affordable music lessons for veterans and low-income children.
Thick Descriptions – $10,000 – To help launch steAm Learning Journey, a program preserving the history and stories from historic Black towns in Oklahoma.
WestTen District – $5,000 – To fund two historical marker signs as part of the Oklahoma Historical Marker program.
Visual Arts
deadCenter Film – $15,000 – To support Continuum, their year-round community outreach program offering free film screenings showcasing filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
Oklahoma Hall of Fame – $5,000 – To support their Art in Community exhibitions that emphasize cultural identity, history and unique art practices.
Oklahoma Mural Syndicate – $25,000 – To transform blank walls into vibrant art in the Plaza District.
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition – $15,000 – To support Momentum, a two-day showcase dedicated to Oklahoma artists under the age of 30.
Untitled Artspace – $10,000 – To support “Indigenous Alchemy: Perspectives from Oklahoma Printmakers,” an art exhibition focusing on Native American printmakers in Oklahoma.
Urban Bridge – $20,000 – To support Bridging the Past, Present, and Future for Eastside Youth, a collaboration with an African American muralist to create two murals in northeast Oklahoma City.
Performing Arts
Carpenter Square Theatre – $10,000 – To support Best in Ten, a readers’ theatre program featuring four short, 10-minute plays.
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma – $5,000 – To support OKLAHOMA! Interactive, a dynamic learning experience with pre-show curriculum and live performances.
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre – $15,000 – To support their tour of Oklahoma’s Own, a play highlighting some of Oklahoma’s diverse historical figures.
Oklahoma City Ballet – $20,000 – To help fund Spider Brings Fire, a new ballet based on an ancient Chickasaw legend.
Oklahoma City Repertory Theater – $15,000 – To help bring VIETGONE, a comedy about Vietnamese immigrants in an Arkansas refugee camp, to their Spring 2024 season.
Prairie Dance Theatre – $8,000 – To support a collaboration with Eterna Primavera to enhance and broaden their educational programming.
RACE Dance Collective – $15,000 – To support their Hip-Hop Nutcracker, which reimagines the traditional story of The Nutcracker with an urban Oklahoma perspective.
Festivals & Public Events
Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America – $5,000 – To support the 2024 Pakistan Day Celebration.
Black Liberated Arts Center – $10,000 – To support the 2024 Charlie Christian International Music Festival celebrating the city’s musical heritage.
Oklahoma City Community College Foundation – $15,000 – To support OCCC’s Fiestas Patrias, a one-day celebration of Hispanic national pride, independence and culture.
Oklahoma City Public Schools – $10,000 – To extend Native American culture knowledge to Oklahoma City residents through four community events.
Olde Capitol Hill Council – $20,000 – To support Fiestas De las Americas, a day-long celebration of Latino culture.
Plaza District Association – $15,000 – To support two arts and culture initiatives: Calderon Dance Festival and LIVE! on The Plaza.
Rose State College Foundation – $5,000 – To support a community event highlighting the history of Midwest City, Tinker Air Force Base and their ongoing partnership.
University of Oklahoma Foundation – $20,000 – To provide students from across Oklahoma the opportunity to showcase their use of Native languages.
deadCenter Film Festival – $20,000 – To support Continuum, a year-round program exploring underrepresented cultures and populations through film.
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre – $26,000 – To support the production of two family-friendly, culturally relevant shows celebrating Oklahoma’s cultural diversity.
Oklahoma City Ballet – $30,000 – To support a performance collaboration with Oklahoma Contemporary that pairs internationally acclaimed and Oklahoma artists to create innovative works inspired by Oklahoma culture.
Oklahoma Community College Foundation – $25,000 – To support Fiestas Patrias, a free public festival celebrating independence for Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru and Guatemala.
Oklahoma City Public School District Native American Student Services – $15,000 – To support the celebration of Native cultures through an OKCPS Pow-wow, Stompdance and Native American Student Art Show.
Oklahoma Humanities Council – $25,000 – To support “Let’s Talk About It,” a scholar-led book discussion program exploring diverse Oklahoma cultural identities.
RACE Dance Collective – $15,000 – To support a free Spanish-language version of their annual Hip Hop Nutcracker.
University of Oklahoma Foundation – $12,000 – To support their Five Moons Dance Festival celebrating the five Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma.
