Opportunities for Children Fund

Opportunities for Children Fund is sponsored by Oklahoma City Community Foundation. This community grant supports organizations that enhance learning opportunities for children who may not otherwise be able to participate. Community Action Ministries Inc.' s mission to restore hope to the child welfare journey and care for kids aligns with this focus area.

Opportunities for Children | OCCF Opportunities for Children Creating safe environments with dedicated caregivers where children can play, learn and develop their imaginations lays a foundation for success later in life. The Opportunities for Children Community Grant supports organizations that enhance learning opportunities for children who may not otherwise be able to participate.

These opportunities are geared towards school readiness programs, support for children living in foster care and unique learning experiences. View All Community Grants The grant application period has closed. Please see below for more information on this grant, and check back next Winter for more opportunities .

The grant range is up to $30,000. View the previous year’s Grant Guidelines* . The organization must enhance learning opportunities for children who would not otherwise have access through one or more of the following: School readiness programs Programs and services supporting children living in foster care To see our list of recent grantees , please click here .

To view the generous donors who have supported this grant, please click here . If my organization received an Opportunities for Children grant last year, am I eligible to apply this year? Organizations that have received past Opportunities for Children funding may reapply for additional funding upon completing their final report before the application deadline.

My organization has a current grant through one of the other community grant opportunities (Access to Health Care, Culture & Community or Services for Older Adults.) Am I eligible to apply for the Opportunities for Children grant? Yes.

Organizations can receive grant funding from more than one OCCF Community Grant Program in the same year. Can an organization submit a Letter of Intent or grant application for more than one project during a single grant cycle? No, an organization may only apply for one project during a single grant cycle.

Are the Letters of Intent or Grant Applications submitted online? Yes! Both the Letter of Intent and Grant Application will be submitted through our online grant portal.

Check out the top of this page for more info! Will the organizations that apply receive notification if they are not approved? Yes, all organizations that submit an application will be notified of funding decisions by the Notification of Funding Decision date above.

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma – $10,000 to equip foster care staff and families with practical strategies to better understand communication, behavior and sensory needs of children with autism. Bethesda – $24,000 to support programming for children who have experienced sexual abuse or demonstrated concerning boundary behaviors, along with support groups for caregivers.

Beyond the Spectrum OK – $17,237 for BTS Academy, an inclusive learning program that integrates academics with developmental and therapeutic support for children with autism. CASA of Oklahoma County – $27,000 to recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers who advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Foster Care Association of Oklahoma – $24,000 for infrastructure and program delivery for a foster parent mentoring program called Dream BIG, offering free monthly community events and annual training. Fostering Sweet Dreams – $18,956 to purchase beds and essential resources that removes barriers for kinship foster care placement.

Hearts for Hearing – $3,170 for a summer camp environment for children with hearing loss to practice their listening and talking skills, connect and form friendships with peers. Hope House OKC – $21,000 for structured summer and school-break programming that includes hands-on STEM-based learning, educational outings, enrichment activities and opportunities for mother and child connection through family meals.

Hough Ear Institute – $5,000 for Science Day Camps for middle school students to engage in STEM programming, mentorship and future educational and career pathways. Latino Community Development Agency – $18,937 to stabilize workforce, support staff retention and ensure consistent, high-quality care and education for children and families served through LCDA’s early childhood education program.

Hope House Guthrie – $15,000 for a year-round trauma-informed program serving children who have experienced homelessness and domestic violence. Oklahoma Children’s Theatre – $18,000 to support access to live theatre and arts education through Page to Stage in-school workshops and Theatre for the Very Young programming.

Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation – $19,000 for free, new books for OKCPS students through the ADA-compliant mobile book bus program, ReadOKC On the Go! Palomar: Oklahoma City Family Justice Center – $27,000 for the Children’s Sanctuary to provide consistent, high-quality, trauma-informed care and enrichment for children who are experiencing violence at home.

Peaceful Family Oklahoma – $11,200 for PFO Pop-Up events that create opportunities for play, recreation and connection that are often missing from childhood when addiction is part of their family’s story. Positive Tomorrows – $22,500 for extracurricular programming for children experiencing homelessness.

Riversport Foundation – $4,000 for the OKC Thrive Outside program that removes barriers and expands access to outdoor recreation and watersports for youth who attend under-resourced schools. Sunbeam Family Services – $30,000 to support school readiness by strengthening their early childhood education workforce through enhanced professional development, instructional coaching and continuous quality improvement.

The CARE Center – $22,500 to expand a child abuse prevention program in early childhood classrooms by teaching pre-K and kindergarten students’ Foundational personal safety and help-seeking skills. Bethany Children’s Health Center – $10,000 to expand the Oklahoma Youth ParaSports program for children with physical disabilities to participate in adapted sports and strength and conditioning activities.

The Spero Project – $22,500 for after-school and youth mentoring programming for students who have experienced resettlement to grow in their social skills, self-confidence, and trust in others. Whiz Kids of Oklahoma – $30,000 to support 29 OKC tutoring sites with literacy development programming for over 600 elementary students.

Youth and Family Services – $24,000 for enrichment activities for kids residing in the emergency shelter, and for children living with foster families. Children’s Health Foundation – $20,000 for early childhood education for children with developmental delays to prepare them to enter Pre-K with their peers. Positive Tomorrows – $25,000 to implement a new social emotional learning curriculum for Pre-K students experiencing homelessness.

University of Central Oklahoma Foundation – $10,000 for the UCO Child Study Center’s implementation of the Reading is Fundamental model to enhance childhood literacy through curriculum materials, faculty training and student scholarships. Anna’s House Foundation – $15,000 to assess and respond to the immediate needs of children in foster care when placed in a new home.

Canadian County CASA Inc. – $15,000 for two advocate supervisors dedicated to the recruitment, training, and supervision of CASA’s court-appointed volunteers who work alongside the court system to advocate for children while in the foster care system. CASA of Oklahoma County Inc. – $20,000 for recruitment and training of 75 new volunteers who will work alongside the court system to advocate for children while in the foster care system.

South Central CASA of Oklahoma, Inc. – $20,000 for essential advocacy and services to help CASA children to find stable and permanent homes, break the cycle of trauma, and ensure they have the ability and opportunity to thrive.

Foster Care Association of Oklahoma Inc. – $20,000 for children in foster care to participate in extracurricular activities that foster teamwork, problem-solving, self-confidence, discipline, and creativity to shape their future success. Genesis Project – $31,000 for music, art and equine therapy and to expand extracurricular activities for children in foster care.

Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, Inc. – $20,000 to support children recently reunified with their families through enriching, community-centered experiences that will ensure long-term success for the family. Lion’s Meadows of Hope – $20,000 to support foster care families with financial assistance for initial placement expenses, necessities and resources for meaningful childhood experiences.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma – $30,000 for a one-to-one mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents to work on specific goals of the child and to create lifelong change. City of Midwest City – $25,000 for the Neighborhoods in Action Tutoring Program to provide free reading and math tutoring for Midwest City youth.

Class Matters Inc. – $5,000 for SPARK Summer Camps to expand STEM access for K-5 students in Northeast OKC. Crossroads Youth & Family Services – $3,000 for Dream Catcher’s camp for middle school students through programming on mental health, essential life skills, emotional well-being, and fostering positive connections.

Eastside Pride Wrestling Club – $25,000 for the “Empowerment Through Wrestling” initiative to provide access to quality wrestling training and academic support for underserved youth. HopeHouse OKC – $10,000 for the hopeKIDS program which is focused on educational development, social awareness and physical health through strengthening parent-child relationships.

Oklahoma City Ballet – $20,000 for the BRIDGE Dance Discovery program that provides children with dance classes and live performance opportunities. Saving Our Youth CEC – $5,000 for the SZN Summer Basketball program which provides a haven for youth in the OKC Metro with evening activities focused on building skills, mentorships, mental health awareness and career pathways.

The Bethany Children’s Health Center – $27,000 for ParaSports Oklahoma providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities to participate in adapted sports; enhancing their athletic skills, encouraging teamwork and friendship and improving their self-esteem and quality of life.

The ComeBack Kid Society – $18,500 for a 13-week program focused on creative arts, life skills, STEM, adaptive sports, therapy and community engagement for youth with adverse childhood experiences, developmental disabilities or behavioral health challenges. Whiz Kids of Oklahoma Inc. – $24,000 to enhance the existing tutoring and mentoring program through trauma-informed training and resources for site leaders, mentors and families.

Latino Community Development Agency – $5,000 for creative arts in early learning for Latino children ages 0-5. Lilyfield – $15,000 for part-time preschool for primarily Spanish-speaking children in South Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation – $24,000 for books and take-home materials for a multi-session program for families with children ages 2-4, and books for bookmobile serving pre-K and Kindergarten students.

St. Luke’s Methodist Church – $5,600 for nature-based outdoor classroom curriculum for preschool children (28% receive DHS subsidy). Aspiring Attitudes – $10,000 for dance education program for children of all abilities.

Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma – $5,000 for summer camp for children with Autism. Cleats for Kids – $7,500 for athletic shoes and sports equipment for 200 children in the Special Olympics. NewView Oklahoma – $5,000 for summer camp for children with vision impairment.

Oklahoma Family Network – $5,000 for a special night at the Blue Zoo for families with children with special health care needs or disabilities. Santa Fe Family Life Center – $10,000 for “Wheelie Club” activities for children with physical disabilities. Special Care – $18,000 for adaptive recreation and play space supplies – interactive games/projectors for children with Autism ages 0-14.

Anna’s House Foundation – $12,000 for foster family support for necessities at initial placement and throughout the time in foster care. Canadian County CASA – $15,000 for salaries for two (2) staff to supervise volunteers who provide direct services to youth in foster care. Crossroads Youth & Family Services – $2,000 for summer camp for unhoused youth.

Foster Care Association of Oklahoma – $10,000 for Kids Day Out program of activities for children ages 0-14 in foster care. Fostering Sweet Dreams – $25,000 for new beds for youth in foster care. Freedom City – $10,000 for expansion of Freedom Girls program of fun and enriching activities for young African American girls, to those specifically in foster care.

The Comeback Kid Society – $10,000 for year-round creative arts and activities for children who live in group homes and in foster care. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Oklahoma – $25,000 for a one-to-one mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents in Oklahoma City and Norman.

Center for Children and Families – $5,000 for a Boys & Girls Club of Norman summer camp for youth experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, divorce or other trauma, over half of whom speak Spanish at home. Children’s Health Foundation – $40,000 for evidence-based school readiness for children with autism ages 0-5.

(school readiness/special needs) House of Healing – $13,000 for equine experience classes throughout summer and fall for children having experienced trauma, behavioral health issues and/or having limited social intelligence skills. (trauma/special needs) INTEGRIS Health Foundation —$1,835 for activities for children served at INTEGRIS Mental Health Spencer’s summer bash celebration.

Neighborhood Services Organization – $15,000 for new furnishings for Martha’s House – apartments for children and mothers experiencing homelessness. Nexus Equine – $7,000 for biweekly educational equine experience sessions for boys experiencing behavioral health disorders who reside at the Genesis Project, a residential foster care facility.

(foster care/trauma/special needs) Oklahoma City Community College Foundation – $6,500 for OCCC student mentoring program expansion, bringing youth ages 10-14 from Positive Tomorrows to experience on-campus life-skills activities. Sisters with Heart – $1,650 for Spring and Summer break childcare enrichment and school readiness program for children, the majority of whom are in joint custody or foster care arrangements.

(school readiness/trauma) Urban League of Greater Oklahoma – $20,000 for year-round “outside the classroom learning experiences” including creative exploration and social enrichment for disadvantaged African American youth who attend low performing schools and have experienced not having enough food at home. Community Programs Manager OCCF will be closed in observance of Christmas from Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Dec.

25. We will reopen at 8:30 a. m.

on Thursday, Dec. 26. Happy Holidays from all of us to you!

Scholarship applications close soon! Due to inclement weather, OCCF will be closed Friday, Jan. 23.

We will reopen at 8:30 a. m. on Monday, Jan.

26. Please remain safe and warm. OCCF will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan.

20. We will reopen at 8:30 a. m.

on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Best wishes from all of us to you!

Scholarship applications open soon! OCCF will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 26. We will reopen at 8:30 a.

m. on Tuesday, May 27. Best wishes from all of us to you!

Due to inclement weather, the 2/19 Endowed Nonprofit Training: Leveraging Support has been canceled. Please stay safe and warm.