Grant Guidelines

I. Definition

The Sarkeys Foundation is a private, charitable foundation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and operated exclusively for providing support through gifts and grants to charitable, scientific, and educational institutions which are qualified under section 501(c)(3) and which are not private foundations within the meaning of section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954 or comparable sections of the Internal Revenue Service Code added at a later date.

II. Governing Body

The Foundation is administered by a Board of Trustees and an Executive Director.

III. Meetings

The Trustees meet quarterly in January, April, July and October. Grant proposals are considered at the April and October meetings.

IV. Response to Inquiries

A response to each request or inquiry will be made by the Foundation within a reasonable time.

V. Proposals

The Trustees accept proposals and applications from qualified charitable institutions. To qualify, a 501(c)(3) agency must be headquartered and provide services in Oklahoma. A careful evaluation of each such request will be made. Nonprofit representatives are urged not to wait until the final deadline.

A. Major areas of support by the Sarkeys Foundation include:

1. Education;

2. Social service and human service needs;

3. Cultural and humanitarian programs of regional significance

B. Needs normally outside the range of support by the Sarkeys Foundation: o Local programs appropriately financed within the community; p Direct mail solicitations and annual campaigns; o Out of state institutions; o Hospitals; o Purchase of vehicles; o Grants to individuals; o Responsibility for permanent financing of a program; o Programs whose ultimate intent is to be profit making; o Start-up funding for new organizations; o Feasibility studies; o Grants which trigger expenditure responsibility by Sarkeys Foundation; o Direct support to government agencies; o Individual public or private elementary or secondary schools, unless they are serving the needs of a special population which are not being met elsewhere; and o Religious institutions and their subsidiaries

VI. Letters of Inquiry

Organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry to determine whether they meet the criteria and priorities for funding.

Representatives are encouraged to speak with a program officer for more information, to ask any questions about the process and for a pre-grant interview.

The Letter of Inquiry is a fillable form, accessible via the website at sarkeys.org. Deadlines for letters to be received at Sarkeys are: o 5:00 pm, June 1, 2023 for the August 1, 2023 grant deadline. OR o 5:00 pm, December 1, 2023 for the February 1, 2024 grant deadline.

Successful applicants will be notified approximately two weeks after the Letter of Inquiry deadline and will receive information to complete an online application. There are no exceptions made for applications or parts of applications submitted after the deadline.

The Letter of Inquiry will require the following information: o Organization Name o Contact Name, Address, Email and Phone Number o Description of the Organization o Description of the Project o Requested Amount o Total Project Cost o Federal Tax ID Number

VII. Application Frequency

Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year or twelve month period. Organizations with a current grant from Sarkeys Foundation are prohibited from applying for additional funding until final payment has been received and expended.

VIII. Content of Proposals

Successful applicants will be notified two weeks after the Letter of Inquiry deadline and will be given information to complete an online application. Sarkeys accepts proposals through an online process at sarkeys.org. Sarkeys Foundation does not accept faxed or e-mailed proposals. Below are the primary components of the application: o Executive Summary o Financial and Endowment information o Board information o Description of the Organization o Description of the Project o Collaborative Efforts in Your Community o Line-item Budget for the Request o List of Secured Funds and Pledges, Outstanding Requests and Other Potential Sources of Funding o Audit required for organizations with assets in excess of $500,000 o Management letter from the auditor stating that no material weaknesses were discovered

IX. Challenge Grants

The Board, at its discretion, may determine to award a grant contingent upon certain conditions and/or the fulfillment of an institution’s additional fundraising obligation for the project in question within a specified time period.

X. Proposal Format

The Letter of Inquiry and the grant application must be completed online. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions, please contact the Foundation directly for assistance.

Outreach and Education

It’s easy to give away money. The more difficult task is giving it away to organizations that spend it wisely. That’s where the board and staff must work together to ensure effectiveness. One of our strategies continues to be helping enhance a nonprofit’s ability to work toward its mission. We do this by providing high level professional development opportunities and making our facilities, resources and staff available for nonprofits.

Sarkeys Meeting Room

The Sarkeys Meeting Room is a former church in downtown Norman, renovated with rich oak accents and mission-style furnishings. Its large meeting room is designed for maximum flexibility. The Meeting Room can seat over 150 people theater-style or 100 classroom-style. It can also be divided into smaller rooms to accommodate 20 to 75 people. It includes a large full-service catering kitchen.

Research Library

The Sarkeys Foundation Research Library, adjacent to the meeting room, offers fundraising directories, board development information, and materials on a variety of management and governance issues. The library is available during business hours by appointment.

Sarkeys Foundation presents

The Southwest Regional Leadership Forum

November 6th and 7th, 2023

Cost – $199

Location: Omni Oklahoma City Hotel

After four years, Sarkeys Foundation is excited to bring back The Southwest Regional Leadership Forum! The Southwest Regional Leadership Forum is a place for leaders to gather from across the state to learn new ideas, connect with like-minded peers and get inspired and activated to grow their impact within their missions.

To register and for more details visit sarkeys.org