Summer Grants | Grants for Individuals
In 1985, friends of Donna Nigh formed the Donna Nigh Foundation as a birthday present and in recognition of Mrs. Nigh’s commitment and work on behalf of the state’s developmentally disabled residents, a cause she has championed since 1968. Since its inception, the Donna Nigh Foundation has awarded grants helping thousands of Oklahomans and their families. Many of these grants providing funding for adaptive equipment for individuals in private residences, group homes and schools with the goal of helping these individuals be as self-sufficient as possible.
The Donna Nigh Foundation was established to serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors to help with programs that government agencies are unable to provide. The Donna Nigh Foundation works closely with state agencies to provide a network of support. The Donna Nigh Foundation provides adaptive equipment that allows Oklahomans with developmental disabilities to push their boundaries and gain independence.
Grants for Organizations
Eligibility:
- Applicant must provide direct services to individuals with severe to profound intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Organization must be located in the state of Oklahoma.
- Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, an accredited public or private school or other publicly-supported agency.
Grants up to $8,000 will be awarded.
Eligible for Funding:
- Environmental and Recreational Adaptations
- Classroom Cognition & Developmental Equipment
- Sheltered Workshop Equipment and Activities
The Donna Nigh Foundation will not accept grant applications requesting funding for special events or capital/maintenance improvements.
Deadline for Application: June 1
How to Apply
Email us with a brief description of your project. If your organization and the project fit the criteria, you will be sent an access code and link for the online application. The request for the link to the online application must be submitted a week prior to the deadline. Any requests after that time will not be considered.
2022 Summer Grants
Ability Connection Oklahoma – $6,000 – to purchase an iPad and speech “app” for use as a speech communication device for a non-verbal child. The iPad will be used in school, home and community, to enable communication and enhance education. The iPad becomes the property of the student who receives the device, to encourage lifelong communication and education.
A New Leaf, Inc. – $7,831.20 to purchase and install adaptive shower chairs for all 24 bathrooms at The Village. These chairs will provide much needed assistance to our clients as they maintain their daily hygiene.
Aspiring Attitudes – $5,024.82 for the purchase and installation of wall-mounted ballet barres to assist student with balance issues as they learn to skip or work on dance moves.
Beyond the Spectrum OK, Inc. – $8,000 to provide services and resources for their Family Center in Oklahoma City so there is a safe, fun space for children on the spectrum, and their families, to access services free of charge.
Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary, LLC – $475.00 to renovate a horse-drawn carriage to make it wheel-chair accessible so people of all abilities can participate in carriage rides around their sanctuary.
Central Oklahoma Camp and Conference Center, Inc. – $8,000 to purchase and install accessible changing tables at their camping facility so people of all abilities can participate in camp activities and experience unique outdoor experiences.
D-DENT – $1,350 to provide spin brushes and one on one training on how to utilize the brushes to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Deer Creek Schools Foundation – $7,010 to purchase two Ready Bodies, Learning Minds motor labs classroom kits for use by special education students of to calm the brain and enhance academic learning.
Gatesway Foundation – $4,605.66 for the purchase of two transfer lifts with scales to assist people with limited mobility as they move from bed to wheelchairs or other assisting devices. This will minimize potential for injuries or discomfort for clients and staff.
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Oklahoma & North Texas, Inc. – $8,000 to purchase and install new new handicap accessible doors for their Lawton location.
Hollis Public Schools – $4,000 to purchase modern, quality multi-sensory tools for use by students coping with severe disabilities as they work with special education teachers and therapists.
Home of Hope, Inc. – $7,717.45 to purchase geriatric wheel chairs, portable wheel chair scales and adaptive technology so staff can administer daily health checks, meals and services for individuals who are non-ambulatory.
Lake McMurtry Friends, Inc. – $3,200 to create a universal access tent campsite to reduce barriers for people of all levels of ability who want to enjoy camping in the outdoors.
Little Light House, Inc. – $5000 to purchase specialized rockers, toys, equipment and supplies for students with disabilities who need more stimulation.
Not Your Average Joe – $8,000 for adaptive equipment and technology to help employees with intellectual or developmental disabilities work at their coffee shop in Moore.
Special Care, Inc. – $8,000 for adaptive equipment and sensory supplies to help children explore their senses and experience them in ways that over time will support skill development to improve their daily lives.
Team Hoyt Oklahoma – $5,500 to purchase Hoyt Running Chairs and bike booms so people with disabilities can join with others during bicycling activities.
Grants for Individuals
Eligibility:
- Applicant must have a diagnosis of a severe to profound developmental disability and a need that is unmet by government or private sources.
- Applicants can be of any age.
- Applicants must reside in the state of Oklahoma.
- Because there are limited funds available, applications are evaluated and grants will be made where there can be the most impact. Financial need must be documented.
One-time grants up to $2,500 will be awarded.
Assistance Provided for Adaptive Equipment (Not Services) Such as:
- Aids for Daily Living
- Mobility Seating/Positioning
- Classroom Learning Cognition & Developmental Equipment
- Environmental Adaptations
Please Note:
- One-time grants up to $2,500 will be awarded.
- Grants are not guaranteed.
- Grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis and recipients will be notified once a decision is made.
- Grants are paid to vendors or nonprofit agencies, not individuals.
How to Apply
Contact Rosena Rucker with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. You can reach Rosena at Rosena-Rucker@ouhsc.edu.