Pop-Out Community Improvements Grants

Pop-Out Community Improvements Grants is sponsored by Independent Retail Community Initiatives. Offers grants to local shops in Oklahoma aiming to improve their neighborhoods, potentially applicable to auto repair businesses.

Pop-Out Grant! — Independent Retail Community Initiatives 2026 Pop-Out Grants are now open! For shop owners working to improve their neighborhoods.

The Independent Retail Community Initiatives, in partnership with the Independent Shopkeepers Association (ISA), is offering grants to local shops throughout Oklahoma wanting to improve their community! IRCI was founded on the belief that independent retail plays a vital role in shaping our communities and neighborhoods statewide.

We want to make it easier for local shops all over Oklahoma to continue the amazing work they do in making our towns a better place to live, work and shop. The Pop-Out Grants will help fund some of the ideas of our creative shopkeepers as they take on new projects to strengthen their community.

Whether you want to install a bench on your street, put up holiday decorations in your neighborhood or add some color with small street art projects, the Pop-Out Grant will help you achieve these goals. Winners of the grant can receive up to $1,500 and will also receive a first-year membership to the Independent Shopkeepers Association. * The deadline to apply will be Sept 14.

Projects will need to be completed by February 28, 2027. Projects must benefit your community and not your customers only. This means the project cannot be located inside your business and needs to be accessible to everyone in the public.

You must be the owner of an independent retail shop located in the state of Oklahoma. Franchises, online-only shops or businesses other than retail are not eligible. What kind of ideas can the Pop-Out Grant help fund?

We know shopkeepers are creative by nature and will come up with many more ideas than we can, but here are some examples: Install a bench in your neighborhood Install way finding signage in your district Plant trees and bushes in your neighborhood Install holiday lights for your district Moments to Remember, a local shop located in Ardmore, was the recipient of the very first Pop-Out Grant in Ardmore.

She used the funds to work with ONG to paint the gas pipes into public art! Deer Creek Mercantile used the funds to purchase and install holiday decorations on her Main Street. Enchanted Bookstore in Collinsville purchased and installed benches for visitors to sit.

The sky’s the limit! We’re open to all projects that will help improve your neighborhood, district and community. We can’t wait to see all the out of the box ideas you come up with!

Projects must benefit your community and not your customers only. This means the project cannot be located inside your business and needs to be accessible to everyone in the public outside of your business. What kind of ideas are not a good fit for the Pop-Out Grant?

The project needs to benefit your community directly. The funds cannot be used to benefit your business, including by purchasing merchandise or promoting your shop. Projects must not be located inside of your business or limited to customers only.

Example: A grand opening inside your shop or an outdoor table only customers can use are not eligible projects. What criteria will be used to choose the winner? The jury will review applications and grade them on four aspects: creativity, feasibility, community impact and financial value.

How much are the grants for? The grants are up to $1,500. You can choose to apply for the full $1,500 or for less.

The jury will determine the size of grants after reviewing each project proposal. You will need to submit the following: Narrative of your project/idea Example pictures/inspiration board If needed, authorization from property owner What else do I need to know? If your project will require a permit, you will need to provide the approved permit to IRCI before funds are disbursed.

Winners will also be awarded a first-year membership to the Independent Shopkeepers Association . * If you are selected and you are receiving funds from other sources to cover your expenses, those funds need to be spent first. The IRCI grant funds will be disbursed to you afterwards.

A deposit will be sent to you and full funds will be made available when the project is finished to ensure completion. Have more than one idea? You can submit as many as you’d like!

For questions, email hello@irciok. org *This does not apply to current or past members.