Guidelines/Application

It is the policy of The Kerr Foundation, Inc. to identify and support 501(c)(3) organizations and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities for those within granting areas, particularly the young. We believe this is the best accomplished in the areas of education, health, cultural development and community service. While preference is given to Oklahoma organizations and institutions, we recognize those located outside the state and region can also have a beneficial impact on the economic, social and cultural growth and development of Oklahoma. Therefore, we will also accept grant requests from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. In recognizing the significant and continuing influence of the Federal government on our state and region, we will also accept proposals from the Washington D.C. area; however, Oklahoma organizations will receive first priority for available funds.

Favorable consideration of a proposal will normally be in the form of a Challenge Grant. This means that the organization approved for a grant must first, in order to receive payment, raise or secure grants, donations and/or pledges in the total amount specified in the grant. The challenge amount is usually dollar for dollar and typically must be secured within twelve months from the date of award.

The Kerr Foundation, Inc. does not give back-to-back grants. For example, if your organization received a grant payment in 2021, you may not apply again for a period of three years, or until 2024.

A letter of inquiry is required before a formal grant application can be submitted. The following information should be included in this letter in a concise manner. Please provide a brief history of your nonprofit and an overview of your programs. Attach a copy of your 501c3 letter of exemption from the IRS, amount of money you are requesting, and a brief description of the project for which you are requesting funds. Explain the need that can be met by your project and describe the target population and geographic area, while providing a few significant statistical facts. If you are approaching other agencies or nonprofits to support this project, mention them and be sure to list any funds already received and how you expect to support the project. You will then be notified via email whether or not you have been approved to apply for funding from our Foundation.

Please state if you have applied for and been denied funding in the past or if a past LOI was not approved to proceed with our online grant application process. In both instances you must wait at least twelve (12) months before submitting another one. All LOIs must be received by April 30, 2024 and our grant application deadline will be June 30, 2024.

Email all letters of inquiry to lauradkerr@thekerrfoundation.org, and cc: cmiller@thekerrfoundation.org.

Please note our annual grant application deadline is June 30, 2024 for consideration at the September board of trustees meeting. Should you have any questions, please contact us. Also note that any incomplete application information may delay consideration of a request.

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