The E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation offers grant funding to qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations with a geographical preference for the greater metropolitan Oklahoma City area. This private foundation considers proposals that align with its charitable mission, subject to internal financial priorities and capacity. Applications are initiated through a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process, which serves as the gateway to a full proposal review. Submissions that fall outside of the established cycles are not reviewed until the next eligible round.
The Foundation operates on a biannual grant cycle. For the spring cycle, applicants may submit requests between November 15 and January 15 by 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Decisions are issued by April 15. For the fall cycle, the application window runs from May 15 to July 15, with decisions communicated no later than October 15. All grant requests must be initiated through the Foundation’s online Grant Request Portal. Only one application may be submitted per organization per year, and late entries are not accepted.
Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Requests from outside this geographic area are no longer accepted. Grants are not awarded to individuals under any circumstances. The Foundation evaluates proposals based on their individual merit and alignment with institutional funding priorities.
While no specific funding amounts, categories, or project types are listed, proposals are expected to clearly articulate need, outcomes, and organizational capacity. There is no indication of required match funding. Applicants should ensure they meet geographic and organizational eligibility requirements prior to submission.
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Debi Moore, Director of Administration, who serves as the primary point of contact for applicants. All communications and submissions must be routed through the Foundation’s official portal.
Submit only one request annually; confirm geographic eligibility before applying; use the portal exclusively.
