The Eastside Do Unto Others Fund
is a community-led giving initiative hoping to put resources for change into the hands of community leaders on the northeast side of Oklahoma City. We believe that one of the best ways to see communities thrive, is by empowering the members of that community with resources to bring new ideas to life, and to continue the work they are already doing with expanded vision. This allows community leaders to use their lived experience, knowledge, and connection to their neighbors to affect social and relational change and stir economic and community development. Through strong and well-maintained relationships, communities can help themselves, identify work that is important to them, commit to long-term results, and hold each other accountable.
The Eastside DUO Fund committee is comprised of people who are already working in the Northeast community of Oklahoma City in non-profit services and community advocacy. We hope that our passion to see Oklahoma City thrive can be felt in a real way through this initiative to Do Unto Others. Over the years we have all seen others in our greater community provide us with mentorship, pathways, and financial resources to empower our work in this community.
The Do Unto Others Fund, in collaboration with Flourish OKC is a way for us to give others an opportunity like the ones we have been given. We will distribute $300,000 to non-profits projects, community leaders, and social enterprises through this grant-making process. Grantees can be awarded anywhere from $1,000 to $75,000 depending on the criteria and potential impact of the project submitted. The members of the Eastside DUO fund will implement the Grant Application process, Decision Making and Awarding process and the Storytelling and Stewardship process.
Grant Application Process
Please fill out the grant application linked below. The application period is open from February 2nd until March 1st, 2024.
Applications will close March 1st, 2024 at 5pm CST.
Who can apply?
This grant is open to the following three focus groups - Black Community Leaders, Non-Profit Organizations, and Social Enterprises that work specifically in the Northeast portion of Oklahoma or whose programs or participants are primarily for residents of NE Oklahoma City.
A Black Community Leader is defined as an advocate or helper in the Black community. They work to make things better for everyone by leading and supporting different activities. They might organize events, help people, and share important information. This person may not have a business or organization that they lead. They simply help the community on their own and their work is acknowledged by residents of their community.
A Social Enterprise is a for-profit business that wants to do good things for the community. They sell products or services, but their main goal is to make a positive impact. For example, they might give some of their money to help people or support important causes. They may hire from target groups that have typically had a hard time gaining or retaining employment.
A Nonprofit is an organization that provides services to the community; for example aid and development programs, education, or health services. They often focus on solving problems or supporting those in need. For the purposes of this application, they can already have non-profit status or be working toward that status.
Decision Making and Awarding Process
The Eastside DUO Fund committee will review all submitted applications and make final decisions on awarded grants and announce grant recipients by March 12th, 2024.
Grants will be evaluated considering the following criteria:
• Potential positive impact for NE Oklahoma City residents
• Meets the criteria of being a non-profit, social enterprise, or community leader in NE Oklahoma City
• Current impact of the organization or community leader on NE Oklahoma City, including the composition of leadership and staff and/or the experience of the leader working within the community.
• A clear plan for implementation of stated goal or project, and alignment with the mission of the Eastside DUO Fund
• A willingness to see the project through to completion, and to update the DUO fund committee on the progress and successes of the goal.
• A willingness to participate in a storytelling opportunity to share outcomes of the funded project with the community.
Recipients will be contacted individually by the Eastside DUO fund committee for follow up and distribution plans.
Storytelling and Stewardship Process
A member of the DUO Fund committee will connect with the grantee quarterly for a check in to hear how the process of implementation is moving forward, and to offer support and encouragement. A storytelling interview will be conducted after 9-12 months to be able to share with the community the impact of the project.