At CLSFF-Tulsa, we define ourselves as investors and are interested in creating the highest possible levels of human gain for the grant dollars we make available. To that end, we review proposals with the following questions in mind:

1. What are the results from the project that will provide the return on our investment?
2. With our combined knowledge of your organization and the program you have proposed, what are the chances the results you have described will be achieved?
3. Is this the best use of our money given all alternatives before us?

Our Foundation currently makes three types of investments in Oklahoma:

1. Investments in systems change over time: We have learned that the best way to achieve the results we seek is to direct our resources toward the larger context of factors and forces that affect a defined area of interest. CLSFF-Tulsa will consider proposals relating to systemic infrastructure and advocacy initiatives that advance the grantmaking priorities we have defined in our program areas. Before preparing a proposal for this type of investment, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a member of our program staff for guidance. Therefore, this application is not available online
2. Investments in organizations: Sometimes we find that making an investment in an organization, for the ultimate purpose of achieving and sustaining stronger gains for those served by the organization, is the best investment we can make. In general, these investments are reserved for organizations with which we are already working. We categorize requests for capital projects or general operating support as investments in the organization seeking such funds. Please note: we typically do not invest in campaigns seeking to establish endowments of any nature. For the 2010 calendar year, we will not accept unsolicited proposals for unrestricted operating support or capital projects. Instead, we will proactively monitor the local nonprofit community and a member of our program staff will reach out to your organization if and when appropriate.
3. Investments in direct service (programs): In this area we support programs and projects that create human gain for people in our areas of focus. For all investment categories, we seek to promote connections among organizations doing complementary work in order to advance best practices and build knowledge within a given field. We place a high priority on directing our funding to organizations with strong leadership teams and, whenever possible, we seek to leverage our involvement in a project by working in concert with others.

As a general rule, CLSFF-Tulsa does not provide financial support for:

• Non-sectarian programs outside of Tulsa
• Local Jewish programs in communities other than Tulsa
• Individuals
• Program deficits
• Programs that may require us to assume expenditure responsibility
• Media-based projects: e.g., video production and publications
• Endowments
• Programs appropriately financed by a governmental agency

Grants Policy

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In 2010, following nearly a decade of steady growth and expansion into new programs, organizations and initiatives, we shifted our emphasis to deepening, rather than solely broadening, our impact. Due to the increasingly strategic and focused nature of our grantmaking, we are not currently accepting unsolicited requests or proposals for funding.

We work continuously to identify potential grant applicants through due diligence procedures and will request proposals from a limited number of organizations that fall within our current focus areas.

With this in mind, we are still interested in learning about the organizations, initiatives and ideas that inspire you. Please use the form below to provide us with a brief description, which we will keep on file for future reference.