GKFF Accelerator Grants

GKFF Accelerator Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: George Kaiser Family Foundation
Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Summary

The GKFF Accelerator Grants aim to enhance funding access for historically disadvantaged nonprofits in Tulsa. By providing financial and technical support, the program empowers community leaders to implement effective solutions addressing local needs. Grants are available on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews in February, May, August, and November. This initiative aligns with the George Kaiser Family Foundation's mission to ensure equitable opportunities for all Tulsans, fostering community engagement and improving overall well-being.

Overview

George Kaiser Family Foundation  Areas of Focus The Foundation’s mission of providing every child with an equal opportunity is reflected throughout the work that we do in our community. Our four focus areas give us the opportunity to address community issues at a deeper level. Parent Engagement & Early Education GKFF supports early childhood education initiatives, as well as continued support for children and families, to ensure each child reaches his or her full potential. Initiatives Early Childhood Education Children are born learning. What they learn from life’s earliest moments will dramatically impact their later success. Pre-K - 12 Education Students with a strong educational foundation have a greater chance of success throughout their academic career. Parent Engagement To encourage parent-child engagement, we take a holistic approach to providing support and resources to Tulsa families. Health & Family Well-Being GKFF works to bridge existing healthcare and service gaps in our community by ensuring that families receive the basic services they need to raise healthy and thriving children. Initiatives Community Health In a state with some of the country’s worst health outcomes, GKFF has sought best practices to combat Tulsa’s significant health challenges. Maternal Child Health GKFF recognizes that the best way for young children to have a level playing field in school is through a strong and healthy beginning in life. Cycle of Incarceration Oklahoma has the highest rate of female incarceration in the nation. The consequences of incarceration are devastating for both mothers and their children. Social Services In order to sustain a stable safety net, GKFF provides financial support to a wide variety of local nonprofit agencies. Civic Enhancement GKFF invests in a culturally vibrant and economically robust Tulsa to ensure a thriving community that affords opportunities for all of its citizens to enjoy a high quality of life. Initiatives Arts & Culture GKFF’s grant-making and initiatives in the arts support efforts to make Tulsa a creative and interesting place to live and work. Economic Development To create a civic culture that supports equal opportunity for all children, Tulsa must be in a strong state of economic health. Neighborhood Development Focusing neighborhood investments on a few geographic areas enables GKFF to affect and measure progress. Birth Through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (Best) The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST) represents an exciting opportunity for Tulsa. BEST is a comprehensive, continuous, and integrated approach that focuses on families to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. This strategy knits together programs and services to create a seamless continuum of support. Programs, services, community agencies, and philanthropies are partnering with Tulsa’s families to build a cycle of opportunity. GKFF Accelerator Grants The Accelerator Grant at George Kaiser Family Foundation aims to increase access to funding and ensure historically disadvantaged and underfunded nonprofits have the financial and technical support to fulfill their missions within the Tulsa community. The Accelerator Grant is designed to empower historically disadvantaged leaders who are proximate to the community with the resources to lead solutions. Eligible grantees will also be aligned with GKFF’s larger mission of creating an environment where every Tulsan, no matter their background, has an opportunity to succeed. Grants are accepted on a rolling basis, with grant reviews happening quarterly. Grant reviews occur within the following months each year: February, May, August, and November.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligibility for accelerator grants requires the following: 501c(3) status or an active fiscal sponsor Serves the Tulsa community Leadership is representative of the historically disadvantaged and under-resourced community served by the organization Align with GKFF’s mission of creating an environment where every Tulsan has an opportunity to succeed, no matter their background Does not currently receive funding from GKFF and is not employed by GKFF or any of its entities What can funds be used for? The focus of this grant is to identify those supports that would be most impactful to your organization or project, and thus there are currently no restrictions on the use of funds.