Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $19,142,433 (2024)
Total Assets: $204+ million
Decision Time: Varies by program
Grant Range: $3,500 - $15,000 (for competitive programs)
Geographic Focus: Oklahoma (all 77 counties), with emphasis on rural communities
Total Grants Since 2001: Over $194 million through 43,843 grants

Contact Details

Website: https://cfok.org

Phone: (405) 488-1450

Mailing Address: PO Box 21210, Oklahoma City, OK 73156

Physical Address: 801 NW 63rd St Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Key Contacts:

Lisa Pitsiri, Director of Donor Programs and Services
Sara Parcell, Director of Philanthropic Services (sparcell@cfok.org)
Jennifer Thurman, Director of Philanthropic Services (jthurman@cfok.org)

Overview

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma (CFO) was established on November 1, 1991, and received its 501(c)(3) designation in 1992. Founded through the shared vision of Tom McCasland Jr. and Gene Rainbolt, the organization was created as a single philanthropic entity to serve the charitable needs of rural communities across Oklahoma. With total assets exceeding $204 million, CFO distributed $19,142,433 in grants through 268 awards in 2024. The foundation operates as a community foundation serving all 77 counties in Oklahoma, with grantmaking focusing on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services primarily in Oklahoma, with some activity in Texas and Illinois. CFO earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 100% score, demonstrating strong accountability and financial practices.

CFO's mission is to "strategically distribute charitable funds, maximize our donors' impact, and strengthen communities through stewardship and commitment to sustainable change." The foundation's motto is "Where Passion Meets Purpose," reflecting its commitment to connecting passionate individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and communities to help Oklahoma prosper. CFO emphasizes collaboration as a key strategy for delivering community impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Oklahoma Initiative Fund

Amount: Up to $15,000
Focus: Rural communities with populations of 50,000 or less
Priority Areas: Mental health and homelessness projects
Application Method: Online portal, annual cycle
Application Period: Opens October 1, deadline in mid-November
Recent Impact: Over $200,000 awarded to 15 organizations in 2025

Tahlequah Community Fund (TCF)

Amount: Up to $3,500
Focus: Tahlequah area organizations
Priority Areas: Arts, education, culture, health and wellness, community beautification and development, leadership, conservation, and human services
Application Method: Annual cycle
Deadline: Last Friday in September
Award Timeline: Announcements in October, funds dispersed in November
Historical Impact: Over 300 grants totaling more than $1,000,000 since founding

Fleeta Greenwood Foundation

Amount: Not specified
Geographic Restriction: Shawnee, Oklahoma only
Eligible Organizations: 501(c)(3) entities, public schools, and churches in Shawnee
Focus: Programs assisting those with intellectual disabilities
Application Method: Annual grant cycle
Deadline: Mid-November

FAQ 46 Grants

Focus: Affordable housing development in Oklahoma
Target Population: Households under 50% of Area Median Income
Purpose: Construction or rehabilitation of rental housing

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation

Focus: Classroom enhancement grants for teachers within the Tahlequah Public School District

Women's Foundation of Oklahoma (administered by CFO)

Amount: Up to $25,000
Application Method: Specific application periods

Priority Areas

Mental health services (particularly in rural communities)
Homelessness prevention and services
Education programs
Philanthropy and voluntarism initiatives
Human services
Arts and culture
Health and wellness
Community beautification and development
Leadership development
Conservation
Affordable housing development
Programs supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities

What They Don't Fund

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) do not accept unsolicited grant requests. CFO's team works closely with DAF advisors to identify specific interests and conduct due diligence before grant decisions are finalized.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Jana Moring, CFRE - Executive Director: Brings more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy, strategic communications, and donor engagement. She has led fundraising and donor relations efforts across higher education and the nonprofit sector, including serving as founding fundraiser for the Pioneer Library System Foundation and as Assistant Vice President for Communications and Donor Services at the University of Oklahoma Foundation during its $2 billion capital campaign.
Lisa Pitsiri - Director of Donor Services and Programs: Combines her passion for the state's nonprofits and philanthropic support in her role.
Sara Parcell - Director of Philanthropic Services
Jennifer Thurman - Director of Philanthropic Services
Amber Shelton - Director of Scholarships

Board of Directors: The Board consists of passionate civic leaders who provide stewardship and expertise. The Board establishes policy, sets priorities, and makes final grant decisions. H.E. 'Gene' Rainbolt of Oklahoma City serves as a board member and co-founder.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through Communities Foundation of Oklahoma's online grant portal available at cfok.org.

Application Steps:

Review the grant directory on CFO's website to determine which opportunities you qualify for
Note each applicable grant name
Complete the online application through the portal
Ensure your organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (or eligible public school, church, or government entity for specific programs)

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (some programs also accept public schools, churches, and government entities)
For geographic-specific programs (Tahlequah, Shawnee, etc.), organizations must be located in or serve the specified community
For the Oklahoma Initiative Fund, strongest consideration given to organizations located within and directly serving communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer

Decision Timeline

Oklahoma Initiative Fund:

Application Opens: October 1
Application Deadline: Mid-November (typically November 14)
Awards Announced: Varies

Tahlequah Community Fund:

Application Deadline: Last Friday in September
Awards Announced: October
Funds Dispersed: November

Other Programs: Timelines vary by specific grant program.

Success Rates

CFO made 268 awards in 2024, 276 awards in 2023, 257 awards in 2022, and 230 awards in 2021, showing consistent and growing grantmaking activity. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not specifically documented. Contact CFO directly for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: For the Oklahoma Initiative Fund, "strongest consideration will be given to organizations located within and directly serving eligible communities." Preference is given to community-based organizations rooted in small towns and regions.

Priority Focus Areas Matter: CFO explicitly states that "priority consideration for projects focused on mental health and homelessness—two of the most pressing issues facing Oklahoma's rural communities today." Aligning your project with these priorities significantly strengthens applications for the Oklahoma Initiative Fund.

Action-Oriented Programs: For the Tahlequah Community Fund, CFO "prioritizes action-oriented programs" that focus on their specific priority areas. Applications should demonstrate tangible outcomes and community impact.

Community-Based and Collaborative: CFO is "committed to collaboration as a key strategy for delivering community impact" and focuses on "inclusively uniting people, organizations, and resources throughout Oklahoma to produce significant, widely shared lasting impact." Applications demonstrating collaboration with other community organizations may be viewed favorably.

Addressing Urgent Community Needs: For programs like FAQ 46 Grants, proposals should address "most urgent needs in communities," suggesting that applications should clearly articulate the pressing nature of the problem being addressed.

Understanding the Foundation Model: CFO administers multiple community funds and donor-advised funds across Oklahoma. Each fund may have different priorities, timelines, and requirements. Carefully review which specific fund aligns with your organization's work and geographic location.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Know Your Geographic Match: CFO administers many location-specific funds. Identify which community fund serves your area and tailor your application accordingly.
Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness: For rural Oklahoma organizations, projects addressing these two areas receive priority consideration in the Oklahoma Initiative Fund.
Emphasize Community Roots: CFO favors community-based organizations that are rooted in and directly serve their local areas, particularly for rural communities under 50,000 population.
Demonstrate Collaboration: CFO values collaboration as a key strategy. Show how your project partners with other organizations or unites community resources.
Be Action-Oriented: Focus on tangible outcomes and measurable community impact rather than solely on organizational capacity building.
Understand the Fund Structure: Many grants are distributed through specific community funds or donor-advised funds, each with unique priorities and timelines. Research which fund aligns with your mission.
Plan Ahead: Most programs operate on annual cycles with specific application windows. Mark deadlines well in advance and prepare applications early.

References

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma official website: https://cfok.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma - Apply for a Grant: https://cfok.org/apply-for-a-grant/ (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma - About Us: https://cfok.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma - Our Team: https://cfok.org/our-team/ (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma - Tahlequah Community Fund: https://cfok.org/tahlequahcommunityfund/ (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/73-1396320 (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma on Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/731396320 (Accessed January 2026)
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma 990 Report on Instrumentl: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/communities-foundation-of-oklahoma-inc-29531c60-3c0f-4fcc-980a-d1666647eee7 (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Communities Foundation of Oklahoma: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/731396320 (Accessed January 2026)
Norman Transcript - "Communities Foundation of Oklahoma awards grants to rural communities": https://www.normantranscript.com/community/communities-foundation-of-oklahoma-awards-grants-to-rural-communities/ (Accessed January 2026)