Posted on January 9, 2013

George Kaiser Family Foundation Announces Grants to Tulsa Nonprofits

The Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation has announced grants totaling $7.2 million to more than a hundred local service agencies and nonprofits, with twelve organizations receiving matching challenge grants, the Tulsa World reports.

Grants totaling more than $4.3 million were awarded to human service organizations in the metro area, while an additional $1.4 million was awarded in support of community health initiatives and nearly $1.5 million was awarded in support of early childhood and education programs. Family & Children's Services received the largest grant ($518,600), a portion of which will be used to support a partnership with Morton Comprehensive Health Services to provide health care to uninsured patients with serious mental illness. Morton will receive an additional $117,000 to provide treatment, primary care, and prevention services to its clients, while the Mental Health Association in Tulsa was awarded $275,000 to continue its work with youth struggling with issues such as depression, substance abuse, bullying, and various forms of self-destructive behavior and suicide.

Other grant recipients include Parent Child Center of Tulsa, which was awarded $165,000 to help parents dealing with family trauma, violence, and other life challenges develop effective parenting skills; Camp Fire USA Green Country, which received $155,000 to provide weekly "Camp Fire" experiences for children at local schools; Youth Services of Tulsa, which was awarded $150,000 in support of its Transitional Living program; and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, which received $84,880 to hire a full-time attorney to work with clients and supervise law student interns.

"Organizations in Tulsa are working hard to help meet the needs of many Tulsans who struggle to obtain basic needs and other critical services," said Ken Levit, the foundation's executive director. "The foundation is pleased to present these Social Services Safety Net 2012 year-end grants to assist organizations as they serve more individuals and families throughout the community."