Share Your Idea With Us
Do you have an innovative new idea that could make a significant difference for our community? Have you given this idea some thought? Some research? United Way of Central Oklahoma is eager to learn about your idea/project. Funds, available per project, fall in the range of $10,000 to $250,000.
Access to the Letter of Intent is open and due June 4.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Informational session located at United Way of Central Oklahoma: May 13, 2026 at 10am. RSVP to Liliana Macias via email (WayFinder@unitedwayokc.org)
- Submit the letter of intent: June 4, 2026.
- Selected agencies will be given access to the formal application on June 26, 2026. Agencies will have until July 16, 2026 to submit their formal applications.
- Agencies who are accepted for the review panel will be notified by July 31, 2026 and assigned a timeslot for the presentation date August 18, 2026 to give a 10 minute “Elevator Pitch” to the grant review panel comprised of community volunteers and other funders, with 10 minutes for Q&A with the panel.
- Funding awards will be announced on at out Kickoff Reception in September.
- Dollars must be spent within the grant period of October 1, 2026 through September 29, 2028.
- If awarded, grantee organization would be required to publicize selection as a grant winner by United Way of Central Oklahoma.
- Submit a progress report every six months through the two-year grant period, including an end of grant report upon completion of the project. Awarded organizations will be invited back to give a presentation at the end of the grant cycle.
Award Criteria
Innovative idea that would meet a genuine community need – Does not yet exist in central Oklahoma or within your organization.
Project falls within the realm of support by United Way. United Way of Central Oklahoma supports social service, health and human service needs programs.
- Agency has a plan for measurement of outcomes in the project over the grant cycle, and beyond.
- Recipient is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation as defined under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
- Agency is located within the service area of United Way of Central Oklahoma (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma counties).
- Agency has an annual audit or annual review from an independent auditor.
- Projects that include collaborative approaches are encouraged.
- Applicant must demonstrate capacity to execute the program.
- Programs should serve diverse groups in the community, be open and not restricted by residency or membership.
- Programs should show opportunity for sustainability or continuation after the grant funds are expended.
- Grant range is $10,000-$250,000.
- WayFinder Innovation grants are to be considered one-time funding.
Typically, United Way does not support:
- Grants to Individuals
- Art/Cultural/Literary organizations
- Animal Services
- Capital Needs
- Environmental Concerns
2025 WayFinder Innovation Grant Recipients
Congratulations to Lilyfield and Upward Transitions!
Upward Transitions $58,960
Through a partnership with Drop Mobility, Upward Transitions has expanded its transportation assistance services for its clients whose temporary loss of a reliable source of transportation may prohibit them from fi nding or maintaining employment or traveling to important appointments. Upward Transitions hopes to build a bridge with Hope Flyers. Upward Transitions loans e-bikes leased from and managed by Drop Mobility’s app to selected clients free of charge for a period of 1-6 months, during which the client will be actively saving up for repairs to existing vehicles or seeking long-term means of transportation. The short-term, no-cost loan of an e-bike, which is easy to store, easy to maintain and always available, will be a solution for many individuals with temporary transportation problems while empowering them to accomplish their goals.
Lilyfield $150,000
Lilyfield leads an innovative, community-driven strategy within the Will Rogers Courts Public Housing Complex, known as the Westwood Community Collaborative. It brings together stakeholders from many sectors and integrates evidence-based services in a place-based approach. The WayFinder Innovation Grant funds a new component of the collaborative by creating a Strengths-Based Coaching Model for adolescents and young adults living in Will Rogers Courts with the intention of being replicated in other public housing complexes in Oklahoma City and beyond. The goal of the project is to provide specific support to adolescents and young adults living in Will Rogers Courts through the wraparound model, which utilizes Gallup’s Clifton Strengths, the Career Ladder and Financial Forecaster (CLIFF), and Hope Driven Goal Planning using the Science of Hope.
To learn more about the WayFinder Innovation Grant, please contact:
Liliana Macias
Community Initiatives and Research Manager
405-523-3512