Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program
Grant Overview
The Oklahoma Legislature passed HB 2914 creating the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program within the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General is authorized pursuant to 74 O.S. § 20k-1A to establish the Grant Program for the purpose of “ensuring professional law enforcement throughout the state by providing financial assistance to sheriff’s offices in qualified counties.” Specifically, monies will be directed toward funding the lawful operations of the sheriff’s office.
The 2025 grant application will open on July 1, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. and will close on August 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. This will be an on-line application process. To initiate the application, please go to Oklahoma Grant Exchange (OGX).
OGX/Agate will be offering a virtual training on using OGX on July 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A link will be added to the website once it is provided to our office.
What is the Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program Act?
The Oklahoma Legislature passed HB 2914 creating the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program within the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General is authorized pursuant to 74 O.S. § 20k-1A to establish the Grant Program for the purpose of “ensuring professional law enforcement throughout the state by providing financial assistance to sheriff’s offices in qualified counties.” Specifically, monies will be directed toward funding the lawful operations of the sheriff’s office.
How much was approved to fund the grants?
$18,000,000.
Who administers the grant program?
The Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General.
What are the grant award amounts?
Grant awards are based on assessed total tangible property valuation of the county, and will be awarded to counties in three tiers in the following amounts:
$150,000 for the twenty-six (26) counties having the lowest gross assessed total tangible property valuation.
$250,000 for twenty-six (26) counties ranked higher than the counties described in (1) but lower than the counties described in (3).
$300,000 for the twenty-five (25) counties having the highest gross assessed total tangible property valuation.
What can the grant funds be used for?
Funds can be used for the lawful operations of the Sheriff's Office. Funds may not be used for the payment of salary.
Is there a local match requirement to receive grant funding?
No.
Who makes the grant application to the Office of the Attorney General?
Grant applications will be available via the Oklahoma Grant Exchange at OGX. Applications must be completed by organizations that are registered in OGX as County of ________, and NOT the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff or another agency administrator may initiate and submit the application, but the Resolution must be printed and signed by the Board Chair of the County Commissioners and uploaded to OGX. A paper copy is available for those without access to the internet. Please contact Stephanie Lowery at Stephanie.Lowery@oag.ok.us to discuss this option.
How many applications may a county submit?
Counties are limited to one application per fiscal year. Grant funding is dependent on available funding.
When are the applications due to the Attorney General's Office?
Applications must be submitted within the OGX system by August 31, 2025, at 11:59pm. OGX will not allow applications to be submitted after that date/time.
Is supplanting of existing funds an allowed use of the grant funds?
No. No county shall reduce or supplant existing funding or the county's methodology for allocating funds to a county sheriff's office due to the award of grant funding.
Can the funds be used for capital improvements which support Sheriff's operations?
Yes.
Are stipends and bonuses for Sheriff's employees allowed?
Yes. Any funds used for stipends or bonuses are to be used for one-time funding only. Funds may not be used for salary.
Who will the funds be sent to-the county fiscal officer or the Sheriff?
Funds will be sent to the county as required by HB 2914. All grant funds shall be expended exclusively for the purposes and in compliance with the Oklahoma Sheriff's Funding Assistance Grant Program. Grant funds must be sent promptly to the sheriff’s office in compliance with the Grant Program.
With the funds provided, can the Sheriff enter into MOUs with service providers for an eligible and lawful purpose of the Sheriff's Office?
Yes. HB 2914 allows funds to be used for lawful operations of the sheriff’s office.
What expenditure reporting will be required?
Reporting will be required semi-annually on forms supplied by the Office of the Attorney General.
Is there a deadline or timeline in which the funds received must be expended?
2024 SAG awards must be expended by June 30, 2026.
2025 SAG awards must be expended by June 30, 2027.
Can the funds be used to cover travel costs?
Yes. HB 2914 allows funds to be used for lawful operations of the sheriff’s office. Funds shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other federal, state, county, and local funds expended to carry out activities relating to the lawful operations of the sheriff’s office.
Are modifications allowed after the grant is awarded?
Yes. Entities must request and submit a grant modification form. Any modifications to the prior application must comply with the provisions of HB 2914.
Can a Sheriff who will no serve in that capacity in the next year due to retirement or an election defeat, expend the grant funds received before he/she leave office?
The expenditure of grant funds is subject to state law. It has been determined that an outgoing sheriff may only spend up to 50% of the award prior to leaving office.
What are some examples of uses of the grant funds?