The Launch

The Launch is sponsored by United Way of Norman. The Launch is a social innovation initiative inviting nonprofits to apply for a grant for a new program that addresses an unmet community need. Projects involving the ethical and trustworthy application of AI to solve community problems could be a good fit.

The Launch | United Way of Norman The Launch is a social innovation initiative. United Way of Norman invites nonprofits to apply for a $10,000 grant for a new program that is filling an unmet need in our community. The Launch grant is awarded every year during the 1st quarter.

The Launch Selection Panel uses several criteria to evaluate applications and assess the strength of the applicants, their organizations, and their ideas. Below are the main components of the assessment. All applicants must be a current 501(c)3 organization to qualify, and the program must provide services in the United Way of Norman's service area of southern Cleveland County, Garvin County, and/or McClain County.

Applications for The Launch Social Innovation Grant are available now. Click the button below to apply. Please review the selection criteria on this page before filling out your application.

The application for 2025 is closed. Pitch/Communicating Your Vision These trainings will help prepare you for your presentation. They are optional.

Please note The Launch has been suspended for 2025. Grant(s) will be awarded at this event. The organization is innovative and has a novel solution that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than current solutions.

Potential for Big, Bold impact The organization has clear potential to make a measurable impact for the beneficiary population, affect systemic change (for example, policy change, societal change, or influence in the field), or grow and replicate its impact. The organization has clear potential to deliver measurable outcomes addressing critical community gaps. The organization has a clear and compelling mission and objectives.

Additionally, the organization has well-thought-out approaches to program development and delivery, measuring success, raising money, operational and financial plan, and other key factors critical to sustaining success. United Way of Norman Impact Area Alignment The organization must be a human service organization and fit within one of the Impact Areas United Way of Norman focuses on Education, Financial Stability, or Health.

Parent Cafe is a safe space for parents and caregivers to have conversations with each other, strengthen their families, and receive support. SunHive Collective | SunHive Collective SunHive Collective serves young adults with disabilities to grow in their daily living, social, and transitional skills. They are using the grant money to build a greenhouse where their members can grow produce, and then sell it at a farmer's market.

Mary Abbott Children's House | ALRT ALRT brings online safety awareness to our communities and schools with in-person education for children and a public service campaign. Crossroads Youth and Family Services | Epic Boxes Middle school students receive the box to help manage their mental wellness. Each box includes supports such as bibliotherapy books, art therapy supplies, journals and materials for play therapy, and other supplies.

These supplies will help the student to adopt healthy choices and prevent risky behaviors. The Virtue Center | Move Through Recovery Move Through Recovery is a Trauma-Informed Yoga program. A trauma-informed yoga approach brings your focus back to your body so you can leave the session with a greater awareness.

The trauma-informed approach has six key components: Safety, Peer Support, Trustworthiness, Collaboration & Mutuality Empowerment, Voice & Choice, and Cultural, historical & gender issue recognition.