Tulsa
Community Investment Grant
Application Requirements
The Cox Connects Community Investment Grant program is designed to assist nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
organizations that provide outstanding programs that benefit communities in the Tulsa-metro Cox
Communications service area.
Communities in the Tulsa-metro Cox Communications service area include: Tulsa,
Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Claremore, Coweta, Glenpool, Jenks, Keifer, Owasso,
Sand Springs and Sapulpa.
Cox Connects Community Investment funds are targeted toward programs that further the Cox
Connects Foundation’s mission to strengthen Cox communities through support of programs that
positively impact Oklahomans in the areas of education, technology, health and the arts.
Requirements for Grant Applicants
In order to qualify for Cox Connects Foundation grant funding, an organization must:
• Qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code
• Benefit communities in the Tulsa-metro Cox Communications service area
• Work with other agencies in the public and private sectors
• Leverage other funding, public or private**
• Measure and continuously evaluate the effectiveness of its nonprofit programs
• Practice sound fiscal policies and responsible financial management
• Fill a recognized need in the community without unnecessary duplication of others’ efforts
** Cox Connects Community Investment Grants only fund activities that are directly related to the
provision of services. Applications must focus on one specific program within the organization.
Special or one-time events will not be considered. Funding will not be given for capital campaigns,
endowments or general operations. Funding will not be awarded to an organization if the Cox
Connects Community Investment Grant is the only source of financial support.
Grant Application Review Process
Grant applications are reviewed annually by the Cox Connects Advisory Council, comprised of Cox
Communications employees and representatives from the Tulsa Community Foundation. Funding
decisions are based on the quality of the applicant’s program, and service to the Tulsa-area
community in the areas of education, technology, social issues and the arts. Additional
considerations include the scope of each program, the overall impact on the community, the
number of people served and the validity and urgency of needs addressed. Preference is given to
programs that provide a unique service not being duplicated in the community. Grants will be
awarded up to $5,000 each.
Limitations
The Cox Connects Foundation does not provide support to:
• Individuals
• Political campaigns
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• Labor or fraternal organizations
• Athletic organizations or clubs
• Endowment funds
• Foundations that would utilize CCF funding for external grant making purposes
• Religious organizations
• Capital expenditures
• Facility/equipment upgrades (i.e. computers, televisions, phones)
All funds granted by the Cox Connects Foundation are to be used exclusively for the program listed
in the grant application. Grants will be limited to one per year, to be used within that year, unless
otherwise specified. Organizations may reapply each year. The Cox Connects Foundation reserves
the right to accept or reject any application and to approve or disapprove any proposal for funding.
The Cox Connects Foundation also reserves the right to change the application criteria at any time.
Other limitations may apply and will be evaluated on an individual basis.
If funded, the Cox Connects Foundation and the Tulsa Community Foundation may audit the
financial records and conduct quality assurance audits of the organization at any time. Award
funding will be terminated if false information is submitted or requested information withheld.
Grant recipients will be required to submit an end-of-year report documenting program expenses
and activities, and provide a guided site tour of the program facility for the Cox Connects Advisory
Council.
How to Apply
• Complete the Community Investment Grant application, including budget information form
and eligibility requirement sheet
• Include the organization description (1 page), board/staff list (1 page), and tax exemption
letter (statement of 501(c)(3) status)
• Include program information (max: 3 pages), and funding sources (1 page)
• Attach financial information, including current and prior year budgets, budget expense
descriptions (1 page), and list of corporate/foundation supporters
Note: Only one application per organization will be accepted. Applications must focus on one
specific program (non-event related) within your organization. Organizations with numerous sites
may only submit one application per grant cycle. Organizations submitting multiple applications will
be disqualified.
Submit application electronically (PDF or Word format only – include all documents in
one file) to CoxConnectsTulsa@[Link] no later than July 1, 2011:
For more information, contact the Cox Connects Program Administrator at
CoxConnectsTulsa@[Link] or (918) 286-4546 or visit [Link].
Timeline
July 1, 2011 Applications must be submitted electronically by deadline.
Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted
September 2011 Funding determination by Cox Connects Foundation advisory council
October 2011 Notification of grant recipients
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December 2011 Cox Connects Foundation advisory council presents grant checks
Tulsa
Community Investment Grant
Application Deadline: July 1, 2011
Contact Information
Organization Name:
Executive Director:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Web Address:
Contact Person:
Phone:
E-Mail Address:
Project Information
Program Name:
Number of People Served by Program:
Program Time Period:
Total Program Budget: $
Amount Requested: $
Program Addresses the Needs of:
Education
Technology
Social Issues
Arts and Culture
Brief Summary of Program (100 words or less):
Application Requirements
Please attach the information requested below. Failure to do so will disqualify the grant request.
Organization Description
• Brief description of organization, including mission statement. Identify the audiences and
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needs the organization serves, including specific areas, communities and number of people
assisted during the last fiscal year (1 page)
• Copy of organization’s federal nonprofit tax-exemption letter from the IRS, documenting
501(c)(3) status
• List of organization’s board members and staff (1 page)
Program Description
• Name of the program
• Amount of grant request
• Description of program to be funded, including the needs statement; target population and
geographic area served; objectives; activities; timeline; and two expected
outcomes/benefits for participants of the program (maximum: 3 pages )
• Funding sources that have committed to this program (include $ awarded) and funding
sources pending for this program (include $ requested) (1 page)
Note: Funding will not be awarded to an organization if the Cox Connects Community
Investment Grant is the only source of financial support.
Financial Information
• Organization’s current and prior year’s budget (revenue and expenditures)
• Budget for program to be funded (use Budget Information Form attached)
• Support documentation clearly stating how Cox Connects Foundation funds will
be utilized for each budget expense listed on the attached form (1 page)
• List of corporate and foundation supporters for the last 12 months, including contribution
levels
Note: Only one application per organization will be accepted. Applications that do not
include all of the information above will be disqualified. All information requested must
be typed with one inch margins and 12-point type. Applications with supporting
documents that exceed the page limits listed will be disqualified.
Budget Information Form
Listed below are standard budget items. You may add additional line items as necessary.
However, please use this form for the project budget.
Expenses Amount Total Project
Requested from Expenses
Cox
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Admission Fees
Equipment
Food
Printing & Copying
Professional & Consultant Fees or Honorarium
Supplies & Materials
Training
Travel / Transportation
Other:
Other:
Total Expenses:
Revenue Committed Pending
Funding Funding
Grants / Contracts / Contributions
Foundations (itemize)
Corporations (itemize)
Individuals
Government Grants (itemize)
Earned Income
Events
Publications & Products
In-Kind Support
Other (specify)
Total Revenue:
Please use figures from your most recent audited financial statement to provide the information
requested below:
Total Annual Income: $ Total Annual Expense: $
Net Assets, Unrestricted: $ Total Endowment: $
Note: On a separate sheet of paper, clearly state how Cox Connects Foundation funds
will be utilized for each budget expense listed above. (1 page)
Eligibility Requirements
Chief Professional Officer must initial the following requirements attesting to their validity:
1. Organization has current 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Service Code.
2. Organization is a nonprofit public benefit corporation organized and in good standing under
the laws of Oklahoma (or incorporated under the nonprofit corporation laws of other
states and qualified to do business in Oklahoma), and operates in accordance with duly
adopted bylaws which clearly define the organization’s purpose.
3. Organization has provided services to Tulsa-area residents continuously for a minimum of
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two years immediately prior to the date of this application.
4. Organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors or Advisory Council.
5. Board of Directors meets at least four (4) times per year.
6. Organization has written personnel policies and procedures, which includes a written cash
reserve policy, approved by its Board of Directors.
7. Organization has written nondiscrimination policy and practices nondiscrimination in
employment of staff, recruitment of volunteers and delivery of services.
8. Organization conducts a financial audit if annual total support and revenue is $100,000 or
over, or a review if annual total support and revenue is under $100,000. The audit or
review must be prepared on an accrual basis with fund and functional accounting,
compiled by an independent Certified Public Accountant, in accordance with the
Standards for Accounting and Financial Reporting for Voluntary Health and Welfare
Organizations. The audit or review must include a management letter. For budgets of
$25,000 or less, submit a financial statement compiled by an independent Certified
Public Accountant.
9. Board of Directors has approved the annual audit or review and accompanying management
letter.
10. Organization allows Cox Communications use of logo, artwork and name for promotional
purposes in any and all media and types of advertising and promotional
programs for distribution to promote the Cox Connects Foundation, no further consent
or right to inspect or approve the use to which the promotional materials may be
applied.
Both the CVO and CPO (or similar office) must type his/her name below to signify the validity of
these requirements.
Chief Volunteer Officer_____________________________________________________
(Board Chair) Name Date
Chief Professional Officer___________________________________________________
(Executive Director) Name Date
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