TSET Built Environment Grants

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.

Funds are invested by a Board of Investors, and only the earnings from those investments are used by a Board of Directors to support efforts to improve the health of Oklahomans.
TSET’s focus, as outlined in the Oklahoma Constitution, is to reduce Oklahoma’s leading causes of preventable death – tobacco use and obesity – in order to reduce cancer and cardiovascular disease. As a state grantmaking trust, TSET funds prevention, research and emerging opportunities to improve the health of every Oklahoman.
The TSET Board of Directors has approved two Built Environment Initiative funding opportunities for FY26; one for Physical Activity Projects and the other for Nutrition Projects. The grants fund a variety of projects, including the development of comprehensive plans for community parks and trail systems, improvements to community fitness centers and downtowns, and ADA-compliant sidewalks and playgrounds. These infrastructure projects should promote physical activity and nutrition. The total available funding for the Built Environment Grants is $4,600,000.
Physical Activity Projects:
The purpose of the funding oppotunity for Physical Activy Projects is to support projects that will positively transform and improve the health of Oklahomans through built environment projects related to planning and design and construction projects. There are two separate funding opportunities for the Physical Activity Projects:
Planning and design of small to medium sized projects (parks, open space, streetscape designs, trails, pedestrian safety, complete streets, wayfinding, safe routes and physical activity in school setting). Construction implementation of small to medium sized projects (projects should make changes to the built environment to increase the number of people engaged in exercise and active living).
Nutrition Projects:
This funding opportunity aims to support projects that will positively transform and improve the health of Oklahomans through built environment projects related to construction projects directly impacting the public's access to healthy foods in farmers' markets and food pantries and healthy food preparation, produce, and palatable drinking water in school settings.

Eligibility

To be eligible for TSET grants, organizations must meet the following criteria:Must not receive funds or benefit from the sale of tobacco productsBe one of the following types of entities:
Colleges and UniversitiesPublic entities (e.g., public school districts/sites, state, county, or local government agencies).Tribal nations.Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.Have a physical office located within the State of Oklahoma.Have the ability to provide services or programs to Oklahomans.
If involving multiple partners, the organization must act as the primary contractor and fiscal agent, handling all contract, management, and financial responsibilities.Be in good standing with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Be willing to adopt a tobacco-free policy that applies to all properties owned and leased by the organization.
Be willing to adopt a worksite wellness policy.