Beyond a Budget is a financial literacy company dedicated to helping individuals take control of their finances through personalized coaching, interactive workshops, and practical challenges. Our mission is to empower clients with the knowledge and tools needed to develop healthy financial habits, make informed money decisions and cultivate generational wealth.

The project Securing the Bag Bootcamp from Beyond a Budget aims to relaunch a financial literacy program for young adults exploring college, trade careers, or entrepreneurship. The goal is to help these individuals make informed financial decisions, particularly around loans, grants, scholarships, and alternative paths, by providing guidance that was lacking for the project's founder as a first-generation college student. The program seeks to empower young adults to avoid debt and financial struggles, offering volunteer training, staff recruitment, curriculum development, grants for participants, and strategic partnerships to strengthen and expand the program's impact within the community.

thinkbeyondabudget.com

Bright Children’s Learning Academy has a a goal to establish a culture of continuous improvement within childcare services. This will require ongoing collaboration, resources sharing, training and community support to ensure long-term success and quality in early childhood education. Their program, Supportive Spaces, positively impacts the community by improving educational outcomes for children, empower and engage educators, strengthen family-school partnerships and have a long-term economic and social benefit for the community. 

Supportive Spaces is a five-week program for childcare providers on the Eastside of Oklahoma designed to enhance the quality of early childhood education through targeted teacher training, improved center environments, effective assessment practices and strengthened family support. Each week focuses on a specific topic to aid providers in upscaling their current childcare business. This program will help business owners rise to a higher standard of care while also cultivating a supportive community with each other.

Instagram: @brightchildrenokc

Calling All Men (CAM) addresses the critical challenges men face, including trauma, financial instability, and addiction recovery. The overall goal is to provide a structured, supportive environment for men seeking stability.

Through programs focused on anger management, parenting, credit rebuilding, financial literacy, addiction recovery, and continuing education, CAM equips men with the tools to rebuild their lives. Mentorship, peer support, and accountability groups create a brotherhood that fosters personal growth and responsibility.

As men in Eastside OKC transform into better fathers, husbands, and leaders, they strengthen their families and neighborhoods. This leads to safer communities, economic empowerment, and a lasting ripple effect of positive change.

The Carter G. Woodson Leadership Program is a two year initiative tailored for high school seniors in NE Oklahoma City.  The program offers a comprehensive approach  to post-secondary education assistance, personal development, and a year long post-program mentorship. These components are designed to support students during their transition from high school to college, vocational school, or the workforce. The program aims to equip participants with the skills, guidance, and support necessary to navigate this crucial step in their educational and professional journey needed to become productive and engaged leaders in their communities.

Class Matters provides STEM education to Eastside youth in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. Their programs have successfully prepared over 2,290 students for higher education and the workforce, with a high percentage pursuing higher education and entering STEM fields. Through partnerships with local schools, universities, and organizations, Class Matters offers technical training, certifications, and real-world experiences like internships and job shadowing, focusing on skills such as robotics, coding, and cybersecurity.

The organization’s unique, student-centered approach blends technical training with character development, teaching 21st-century skills like critical thinking and decision-making through the engineering design process. Class Matters also emphasizes leadership and community service by organizing welfare events for those in need. Their mentorship model pairs students with professionals, providing career guidance and insights. With a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and leadership, Class Matters equips students with the skills and life values necessary for academic and professional success, while also making a positive impact on their communities.

www.class-matters.org

Bike Club OKC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through cycling, fostering healthier lifestyles, and strengthening community connections. By providing students in underserved communities—especially on the east side of Oklahoma City—with access to bikes, mentorship, and outdoor experiences, we are transforming the way families engage with their neighborhoods. Our programs not only teach essential biking skills but also instill confidence, critical thinking, teamwork, and a love for physical activity. Through these efforts, Bike Club OKC is changing the fabric of the community, encouraging a culture of wellness, exploration, and togetherness.

With four years at Thelma Parks Elementary and over 100 bikes distributed, our expansion to MLK Jr. Elementary will double the number of bicycles in the NE OKC community. The long-term impact is clear—healthier kids, stronger families, and a more connected community, all powered by the joy of riding. Bike Club OKC is a bridge connecting students to the rich history, culture, and leadership within their own community. Every field trip is done by bicycle, allowing students to truly experience and engage with their surroundings.

www.bikeclubokc.com

Dearly Beloved Girls is a girls and young adult women mentorship program. We offer safe spaces to talk about sexual trauma, body safety, and personal hygiene, while promoting the generational resilience in our community. Through small intimate support groups provided on a regular basis on general mental health, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and relationships, we aim to equip and empower a generation of women that rise from adversity, destigmatize mental health, and provide a positive, fun place to build sisterhood.

Dearly Beloved Girls: A SAFE SPACE INITIATIVE provides a positive, fun place to build sisterhood, through civic engagement, small support groups, and peer-led education on mental health. This will create workforce opportunity and engagement in the social work and behavioral health working fields. This initiative will lead to paraprofessional opportunities for high school students through hands on experience and training. 

Dearly Beloved Website

Eye to Eye Marriage is a nonprofit organization based in Northeast Oklahoma City that focuses on enriching marriages through a relationship with Christ. The organization was founded 25 years ago by a group of young African American married couples with the goal of building a community of like-minded individuals committed to supporting each other in their marriages. In the last six years, new leadership has revitalized the organization to continue its mission of helping couples strengthen and sustain their marriages, with an emphasis on creating a legacy of lifelong partnerships. Their reach is expanding, and provides valuable marriage resources to couples, particularly in response to the high divorce rates and declining traditional marriage rates in Oklahoma.

The organization is planning to add new part-time staff to support its growth and enhance its impact. As demand for its services increases, the organization recognizes the importance of diversifying its team to address a broader range of needs, improve efficiency, and bring new perspectives. By expanding the team, Eye to Eye aims to strengthen its capacity to make a positive difference in the community and continue to support married couples in building healthy, lasting relationships.

https://www.eyetoeyecommunity.com

Full Bloom Academy is a transformative six-month mentorship and pageant program for young women. Inspired by the life-changing impact that mentors had on the founder, their program builds confidence, self-esteem, and essential life skills through a tailored curriculum and hands-on activities. Each participant’s growth is showcased in a unique pageant where every young lady is crowned upon completion, rather than having a single winner. Launching this March—with a track record of smaller sessions and similar programs throughout the years—they aim to expand our reach by offering scholarships to those in need and partnering with local organizations for additional workshops. Their initiative hopes to empower young women across Northeast Oklahoma City to become the best version of themselves.

The program is built on seven pillars—self-esteem, confidence, etiquette, life skills, sisterhood, leadership, and holistic health—each designed to cultivate resilience, self-worth, and personal excellence. Through a structured curriculum and hands-on activities, Full Bloom equip participants with practical skills and a mindset that fosters success. 

fullbloomacademy.org

Launched in 2023, LiveFree OKC is a nonprofit organization located in Ward 7 of Oklahoma City with a mission of building peace and reducing violence in Oklahoma City. LiveFree operates a community violence intervention (CVI) program in Ward 7. A CVI program employs credible messengers (PeaceMakers) to identify and intervene with individuals/groups in Ward 7 at the highest risk for involvement in gun violence in an effort to disrupt cycles of violence. Program clients are identified as being at the highest risk for involvement in gun violence. Individuals become clients after intervention and after having made a commitment to the cessation of violence. Clients and PeaceMakers then build a success plan that provides a map forward and a means of mutual accountability. LiveFree supports program clients with wrap-around supports to assist in the sustained recovery from a cycle of violence.

To be effective, LiveFree PeaceMakers must maintain a strong presence in the community. This project will support their peacemaking efforts through expanding their transportation abilities.

livefreeokc.org

The Modern Manhood Foundation was created in 2022 with the mission to empower men with skills and tools to grow and create better communities. They engage this mission with targeted community health programs that reduce stress and depression, while exploring evidence-based skills and tools essential to self-mastery and growth. Father’s Month is their largest community-facing initiative, and the events curated during this month-long celebration create an atmosphere where men are seen and appreciated for more than their provision. It highlights and celebrates an indelible space men hold in the family unit, and community.  

Father's Month will be comprised of several in-person and virtual events that will highlight and honor the experience of fatherhood and invite community members to participate. Events include: Daddy's Day in the Park, Donuts with Dads, Fatherhood Recognition & other community engagement events.

ManhoodMasterclass.com

The OKC Black Alumni Coalition (OBAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting Black alumni and their communities through education, collective action, and innovation. OBAC fosters intergenerational connections, cultural preservation, and advocacy while leveraging its network to create impactful programs that uplift historically Black schools and neighborhoods in Oklahoma City.

Now in its fourth year, OBAC's flagship program, the River Bowl Classic (RBC), has grown into a premier event celebrating Oklahoma City's Black community through rowing and a world-class regatta. The River Bowl leverages the assets of OKC's Black community, Boathouse District, and Oklahoma River, uniting alumni, students, and community from the Oklahoma City and Millwood public schools. Five out of the seven participating schools are predominantly Black. Alumni from the seven high schools will form rowing teams and will train weekly for 16 weeks, culminating in a spirited competition featuring youth, kayaking, and dragon boating at "The Reunion". The 2025 River Bowl program will expand with four all-Black corporate dragon boat teams, a youth STEM program that links environmental science to rowing, a community wayfinding signage plan for the historic Walnut Grove, and expansions to measuring health outcomes, fostering community engagement, school pride, economic integration, preservation, and wellness. 

www.okcbac.com

Northeast Oklahoma City is home to some of the state’s most outstanding attractions–all within a 2-mile radius. In 2003, the Oklahoma City Adventure District was recognized by the City Council of Oklahoma City as an official entertainment district. Today, more than 9 million people visit the District each year. The Adventure Access Fund is designed to make the Oklahoma City Adventure District more accessible to residents of the 73111 ZIP code. Despite living near destinations like the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, and many other Adventures, many community members cannot afford the cost of admission.

This fund aims to bridge that gap by covering entry fees, ensuring that all residents regardless of income can experience the educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities the district has to offer. The fund will provide children and young adults with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) careers in real time. Beyond academics, this initiative also creates core childhood memories, allowing kids and families to bond over shared experiences they might not otherwise have access to. Whether it’s a first visit to the zoo, a day of discovery at the science museum, or an immersive cultural experience, these moments help shape a child’s worldview, boost confidence, and instill a love for learning.

www.okcadventure.com

TheOklahoma Cowboys Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich legacy of Black cowboys while fostering opportunities for the next generation. Through programs like youth camps, community events, and educational initiatives, the foundation provides hands-on experiences in horsemanship, rodeo skills, and Western heritage. Committed to accessibility and inclusion, it ensures that children from diverse backgrounds, including those in state custody or from underserved communities, can connect with the cowboy lifestyle. By partnering with local organizations and sponsors, the foundation continues to build a lasting impact, celebrating the resilience and contributions of Black cowboys in Oklahoma and beyond.

The overall goals of the Oklahoma Cowboys Clinic Program are to develop skilled, confident, and well-prepared young rodeo competitors while ensuring a safe and structured learning environment. The program aims to enhance participants' technical abilities in various rodeo events, including barrel racing, roping, and bull riding, through hands-on training and real-time practice. Beyond skill development, the clinic focuses on mental preparation, discipline, and safety education to instill resilience and confidence in young riders. By offering high-quality, affordable training, the program seeks to make rodeo accessible to youth from all backgrounds, fostering a love for Western heritage and ensuring the next generation is equipped to excel in and beyond the arena.

Oklahoma Cowboys Website

Organizational CFO is a consulting company whose mission is to break down the barriers that BIPOC entrepreneurs face and provide tailored, actionable strategies that drive real growth. They sponsor Teenpreneur Northeast. Teenpreneur is a transformative six-week program designed to cultivate and support early-stage entrepreneurs between the ages of 13-17 years old with a passion for innovation. The area of focus is students that reside in the NE OKC area.  This initiative equips teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary to develop their entrepreneurial vision into viable business ventures.

The program is led by young adults who use the skills they have learned in Social Media Content creation, Culinary Arts, and Film to provide training and mentorship. Each young adult leader will have 3-5 participants work closely with industry experts specializing in culinary arts, social media, and film & production. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and business acumen, Teenpreneur Northeast provides young entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence to navigate the challenges of launching and sustaining a successful enterprise.

https://teenpreneurokc.com/

Possibilities has established strong relationships in Northeast Oklahoma City, with many local residents and organizations actively involved in its programs. Recently, in partnership with Millwood Public Schools, Possibilities launched a 6-week TeenPodcast Training Program for 107 high school freshmen through juniors. The program aims to build students' confidence, encourage self-reflection, strengthen their communication and teamwork skills, and help them effectively work with others. It focuses on developing collaborative communication, fostering group consensus, and incorporating values like dignity, trust, and service into students’ lives.

The program also empowers students to create podcasts on issues important to their peers, allowing them to explore creativity and expression. It culminates in a celebratory event where students will present three podcast shows, showcasing their skills in podcast production from concept to completion. This initiative serves as a pilot for the Building Bridges podcast platform, helping teens develop life skills and prepare for adulthood by equipping them with tools for effective communication, teamwork, and creative expression.

www.possibilitiesinc.org

Prospect's Whiz Kids Site is a tutor/mentoring program for students at Thelma Parks Elementary. They pair caring adult mentors one-to-one with an elementary school student for tutoring. Whiz Kids serve students from 1st through 4th grades in the area of reading. They provide training and materials to enable a tutor to work with the same student each week, and even for multiple years if the student attendance permits.

 The Program has of a certified teacher from the Thelma Parks School. The teacher provides student scores and interfaces with the classroom teachers, parents and tutors to provide guidance for helping the students improve their reading skills. They also have a certified Special Education teacher and certified Elementary School Counselor as the two site coordinators. The volunteer tutors receive training sessions during the school year to enable them to meet students' needs. The goal of the program is to help struggling readers gain confidence and reading skills to reach their potential. Whiz Kids want to challenge students to enjoy learning as well as develop character traits that will help them  be successful in life.

Prospect Whiz Kids Website

Raising the Standard Ministries has been in existence since 2008 providing a safe and successful transition for women and children along with Oklahoma families predominately in Northeast OKC. The future of our society lies with the health and the success of our children and our communities. Raising the Standard exists to strengthen, encourage, and to help families successfully transition into healthy productive citizens in society.

The program works with families who have been destroyed by the systemic cycle of female incarceration and families who have lost their way and slipped into the throes of homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Expanding the program to provide transportation, they can help current and upcoming clients access jobs, medical appointments, needed education, and other resources.

www.raisingthestandardokc.org

Reach Forward Foundation is a youth development program that primarily serves high school-aged youth in the Oklahoma City metro area. Their focus is on exploring post-high school educational opportunities, in-demand careers, instilling life skills, and promoting civic engagement and community service, all aimed at creating future-ready youth who are thoughtful and productive citizens. They achieve this by taking youth participants on visits to colleges, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as attending educational fairs. The organization also hosts workplace tours, invites members of the business community to speak, and offers workshops on various life skills such as cooking, job interviewing, and financial literacy.

Their new initiative: Project Future Ready, is a formal program for developing our clients’ professional skills, which will include developing a Personal Statement that can be used to apply for scholarships and post-secondary educational opportunities and creating an Activities Résumé to help with part-time employment, scholarship and post-secondary education applications. Through these activities, the organization empowers young people with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to succeed in their education, careers, and civic engagement.

Reach Forward Website

Road 2 Love Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming men’s mental health by fostering a culture where "HEALTHY is the MENTALITY." Through targeted programs, community engagement, and direct support, we provide men with the tools to prioritize self-care, seek help when needed, and build healthier lives.

The Road 2 Wellness Initiative is a transformative mental health and self-care program designed to equip men with the tools, resources, and support needed to prioritize their mental well-being. Through a combination of counseling services, structured self-care cohorts, and immersive retreats, this initiative fosters emotional resilience, personal growth, and lasting behavioral change. The initiative allows them to directly impact hundreds of men annually, equipping them with mental health resources, counseling, and peer support that they otherwise would not have access to. By investing in men’s mental health, we strengthen families, workplaces, and entire communities, breaking generational cycles of neglect and stigma.

www.Road2Love.org

Started by two dedicated community leaders in the Culbertson East Highland neighborhood, Roots to Wellness aims to improve healthcare access, food security, nutrition, and physical activity for residents of McGuire Plaza. In collaboration with the Housing Authority, Lynn Institute, Metro Tech, and Crossings Church, an on-site health clinic will be established to provide essential services such as screenings, preventive care, addiction counseling, and medical consultations. This clinic will address health disparities among seniors and improve overall well-being by making healthcare services more accessible. Additionally, a Community Garden will be developed in partnership with local schools, businesses, and organizations, providing residents with fresh food and hands-on training in urban agriculture while promoting healthier eating habits.

The initiative also focuses on enhancing nutrition education and cooking skills by expanding the food distribution program and offering cooking classes, cookware, and training in healthy eating. Partnering with the Lynn Institute, this program will help residents adopt healthier dietary habits. Onsite fitness programs, developed in partnership with MetroFIT, will offer accessible exercise options for all fitness levels, promoting cardiovascular health, mobility, and wellness. These programs will foster a sense of community engagement and social connection while helping residents lead healthier lives.

The Selfless Hands Foundation (SHF) is a community-driven nonprofit that provides emergency crisis relief, homelessness prevention, and youth welfare support in Northeast Oklahoma City. Since 2018, SHF has served as a trusted resource for individuals and families facing hardship, offering essential health and human services, rental and utility assistance, emergency housing support, and youth empowerment programs. With the establishment of the Selfless Hands Crisis Hub, we have expanded our reach to include justice-involved youth, providing community service opportunities, employment assistance, and transitional support. Our mission is to empower individuals and families in crisis by providing essential resources, support, and advocacy to foster stability, resilience, and self-sufficiency. Our vision is to create a community where no one has to face a crisis alone and all individuals can access the support and opportunities needed to thrive.

The Selfless Hands Crisis Hub Expansion Project aims to enhance emergency crisis response, homelessness prevention, and youth welfare support in Northeast Oklahoma City. The project focuses on providing rental and utility assistance families to prevent homelessness, delivering food and emergency supplies, and supporting at-risk and justice-involved youth with community service opportunities, housing assistance, and employment resources.

www.selflesshandsfoundation.org

PoetryAndChill is an experience that provides the youth weekly opportunities to connect with literacy through varying forms of culturally relevant and engaging artistic expression to which reading, writing, and vocabulary development are essential. PoetryAndChill operates weekly with embedded opportunities for reflection, expression, community and social awareness via writing and/or oral performance. 

The end result would be for the youth to become more proficient readers as a result of their passionate engagement and ongoing practice of artistic expression through writing and oral performance. Our curriculum fits the ELA Academic Standards and our main component we focus on is Social Emotional Learning which is vital for the youth.

This program gives a chance for individuals to think critically, gain knowledge and information, and grow within themselves. PoetryandChill uplifts and encourages girls and boys to embrace their individuality and self esteem.

www.poetryandchillokc.com

WithLove OKC exists to restore and uplift the Eastside of Oklahoma City through the power of community, art, and education, providing a foundation for young Black and Brown artists to thrive. In a community long deprived of resources and artistic opportunities, we create spaces where public art, performance art, and visual art honor the Eastside’s history while shaping its future.

The WithLove OKC Mentorship Program empowers young artists at Millwood Public Schools by providing hands-on experience in mural art. This initiative invites a professional muralist to lead a series of workshops, guiding students through public art's creative and community-focused aspects.  Through these workshops, students will learn about design techniques, community storytelling, and working as a muralist.

As a culmination of their learning, students will participate in a mural design competition, where selected works will be brought to life on wooden panels for installation in the Kid Zone at the Juneteenth on the East festival. This installation, created in collaboration with the artist will provide students with the rare opportunity to see their visions transformed into a public art piece. By engaging young artists in our community in this way, the mentorship program bridges the gap between education and real-world artistic impact, ensuring that Juneteenth on the East continues to be a space for both celebration and lasting community contributions.

www.withloveokc.org

Young Achievers Christian Academy (YACA) is a pillar of excellence on the Eastside of Oklahoma City, proudly serving as the only private school in the area with a majority African American staff and student body. Since 2003, YACA has provided a transformative Christian, college-preparatory education for students from Pre-K3 through 8th grade.

Rooted in faith and academic rigor, YACA’s mission is to equip students to thrive spiritually, intellectually, and socially, while instilling the values of discipline, compassion, and leadership. YACA is committed to expanding access to high-quality education for families seeking a faith-based academic environment. With a small but mighty staff of faculty members, support staff, and administrators, YACA delivers a personalized educational experience that nurtures student creativity, and leadership. Through its close-knit partnership with students and their families, the academy builds a holistic foundation that prepares students for both academic achievement and future leadership roles in the community.

www.youngachieversokc.org