Interesting Facts

2-1-1 is an information and referral helpline for individuals and families in need.

By simply dialing 211, a caller is automatically routed to the local call center for assistance.

Resources

Funding Assistance and Announcements:

www.grants.gov
www.grantstation.com
www.managementhelp.org
www.oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org

Other Resources:

  The Christian Alliance for Orphans helps locate resources, connections, partners, and advocates to better serve the “least of these”. They also offer webinars designed to help individuals create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministries in local congregations.

The mission of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) includes informing and educating individuals on aspects of life outside their everyday world. With that in mind, OFBCI presents one-woman dramatic sketches: En route to Freedom about a free Negro woman and Harriet Tubman: A Moses to her People. For more information, contact our community partner Delanie Brewer.

When it comes to expressing care and compassion, the disabled population is frequently overlooked. One of the areas in which they particularly need assistance is employment. If you are an employer or have knowledge of job opportunities in your community, please contact the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services which helps identify employment resources for the disabled.

The website of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships helps organizations learn more about how they can partner with government to better serve individuals, families and communities. A Partnerships Blog is routinely updated to provide up-to-date information about the office.

Building Bridges Together The Oklahoma Bridge Family Resource was developed to educate families with an interest in providing care to a child in state custody. In addition, the Resource Center offers new bridge families advice and training through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. All services are provided free of charge.

2-1-1 is another Community Resource. In case you haven't heard, 2-1-1 is an information and referral helpline for individuals and families in need. By simply dialing 211, a caller is automatically routed to the local call center for assistance. The call specialist will help locate appropriate faith-based or community resources by accessing a comprehensive database of health and human service providers in the caller’s community. If your faith-based organization provides a community service or ministry and you would like to request inclusion in this information and referral network, dial 2-1-1 and your call will be automatically routed to the call center covering your area. For more information, visit: www.211oklahoma.org.

Christian Foundation Grants provides faith-based organizations with a comprehensive and user-friendly database through which to search for grants. CFG seeks to increase funding for faith-based organizations by improving access to like-minded foundations.

Laying the Foundation for Funding. If your faith-based or community organization is in its infancy and/or will be seeking private or government funding for a social service program, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Here are our suggestions.

State Social Service Contracts. From time to time, the Department of Central Services issues Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Invitations to Bid (ITBs) on certain social service programs for community, regional or statewide implementation. Historically, these contracts have included a variety of program topics such as Adopt-A-Worker, Job Coaching, Fatherhood Education, Healthy Marriages, etc., many of which are areas of interest to the faith community. Faith-based and community organizations may request that they be placed on Oklahoma's vendor list. Once registered, the organization will be eligible to apply for funded service opportunities as they appear on the DCS website. For more information on Oklahoma vendor registration, please click here.

Faith-based organizations can accept federal or state awards without compromising the integrity of their message. The basic guideline is that “inherently religious activities” are separated by time or location from the funded program. Participation in any religious activity must be on a purely voluntary basis and refusal cannot result in discrimination against an individual or jeopardize the individual’s participation in the program receiving funding. See document entitled "Commonly Asked Questions and Answers". Current contract postings are located on the Department of Central Services website.