TSET announces an unrestricted grant program for organizations across the state and a funding opportunity targeted in southeast Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 14, 2022) – The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has announced two new funding opportunities aimed at improving health in Oklahoma. The two opportunities will open on April 15.
Through a new, rolling grant opportunity, TSET will fund projects to improve the health of Oklahomans that do not currently fit within established TSET programs. TSET Discovery Grants are available to 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations, public entities and institutions of common and higher education across the state.
“There are many wonderful organizations working to create a healthier Oklahoma and we look forward to new partnerships to improve health,” said Michelle Stephens, TSET Board of Directors chair. “This funding opportunity allows applicants to bring their best ideas and proposals forward for consideration.”
Projects or programs should relate to at least one of TSET’s Constitutional areas of focus and may include some of the following areas:
- Tobacco prevention or cessation for high risk groups
- Programs designed to maintain or improve the health of Oklahomans
- Programs to enhance the provision of health care services to Oklahomans, with particular emphasis on such programs for children
- Programs designed to enhance the health and well-being of senior adults
Maximum awards will vary by project and can be approved for up to three years. Matching requirements vary by award amount. TSET has set aside up to $3 million per fiscal year for funding opportunity. Grant pre-proposals will be accepted year-round, with awards granted each March and November.
TSET is also opening a limited grant opportunity for counties in southeast Oklahoma to address some of Oklahoma’s greatest health needs. The program is designed to fund community-based grants aimed at reducing tobacco use and obesity and will build on work previously conducted by the TSET Healthy Living Program.
“TSET and our partners were able to do significant work in southeast Oklahoma under previous community-based grants,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “Our board recognized an opportunity to reach that region of the state through new grants that build on previous work and maximize impact by moving forward on needs identified by community members and organizations.”
Institutions of common and higher education, public entities, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations and tribal entities are invited to apply.
The service area must be one of the following counties: Atoka, Bryan, Marshall, McCurtain, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, or Pushmataha.
TSET will provide applicants with the results of each county’s comprehensive community needs assessment as well as the menu of best practice strategies based on assessment results. Potential grantees must select to work on one or more of the preapproved strategies.
Eligible projects include but are not limited to local policies to reduce youth access to tobacco, creating or updating an active transportation plan, improving access to nutritious food and increasing the number of tobacco-free environments across locally owned organizations.
Awards will vary based on scope of work, with maximum awards of $120,000 per fiscal year for up to three years. There is no matching requirement. Applicants will be notified of award in September 2022 and contracts begin October 1, 2022.
For complete guidelines and application information for new grant opportunities, visit tset.ok.gov/content/requests-proposals.
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working toward shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health. To learn more, visit TSET.OK.GOV.