The Oklahoma City Community Foundation announced today the first recipients of its OKCGetsFit grants to improve Oklahoma City’s ranking as the unhealthiest city in America.
Established last year, the OKCGetsFit grant program sought applications for projects to inspire metro residents to engage in fun, physical activities that will improve overall community health and wellness. After evaluating many applications, Community Foundation trustees awarded the following grants totaling $78,200 to five organizations:
- American Lung Association: $30,000 to create the OKC Climb Club where metro residents of all fitness levels can meet monthly to climb stairs at various locations.
- Girls on the Run of Central Oklahoma: $3,600 to expand an after-school running and fitness program that empowers young girls from Bodine Elementary.
- Love Grow Live: $26,000 to host family-friendly community kickball games at North Highland Community Park and Diggs Community Park, and Wellness on Wednesday activities such as Zumba, strength training and other opportunities.
- Oklahoma Humane Society: $15,000 to expand its Foster Field Trip Challenge encouraging the community to get active by taking rescue dogs on walks in local parks.
- Positive Tomorrows: $3,600 to provide students experiencing homelessness the resources and opportunity to join Girls on the Run of Central Oklahoma and participate in a Positive Tomorrows 5K.
“When we first heard about the OKCGetsFit grant program, we knew it was a perfect fit for us. We’re encouraging metro residents to take rescue dogs on ‘Foster Field Trips.’ Taking a dog on a walk not only provides a fun and rewarding outlet for exercise, but it also encourages the human-animal interaction that dogs awaiting adoption desperately need,” said Dana McCrory, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Humane Society. “We’re excited to receive this grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and know it will be so beneficial to both humans and animals alike.”
“These grants reflect our commitment to improving health and wellness in our community,” said Nancy Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. “Of course, change won’t happen overnight, but these grants can be the first step to a healthier community.”
To that end, the Community Foundation is seeking new applications for OKCGetsFit grants. As before, the Community Foundation will consider grants of up to $5,000 for projects with a limited reach and impact, and grants of up to $100,000 over two years (or $50,000 per year) for programs with a greater reach and impact.
Visit occf.org/wellness to read the complete grant guidelines, including eligibility information and deadlines.