The Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Grant Program is a grants-in-aid initiative administered by the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). This program aims to support organizations in preserving and promoting locations significant to Oklahoma’s Civil Rights Movement, including All-Black towns and Native American historical sites. The primary goals of this grant include enhancing historical awareness, stimulating tourism, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting economic development in these communities.

Grants range from $1,000 to $50,000, and the total funding available depends on legislative appropriations, federal grants, and private donations. Eligible applicants include municipal, county, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations registered with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Proposed projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant contract.

Eligible projects include improvements to visitor centers, museums, exhibits, signage, historical markers, and educational plaques. Additional qualifying projects may involve oral history collection, digital archiving, preservation assessments, website development, archaeological surveys, and public programming. However, grant funds cannot be used for rent, utilities, salaries (except for project-specific roles), real estate acquisition, fundraising events, or federally funded historic preservation projects.

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle opened on January 2, 2025, and will close on February 15, 2025. A workshop will be held on January 24, 2025, in Ponca City to assist potential applicants. Awards will be announced in mid-May 2025, and selected projects must be completed by the 12-month deadline stated in the grant agreement.

Applications are evaluated based on educational impact, project potential, institutional readiness, implementation feasibility, and long-term sustainability. A negative scoring factor applies to organizations that previously failed to meet grant requirements. The OHS Executive Director will review the selection committee’s recommendations, and the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors will make the final funding decisions.

Grant disbursements follow a reimbursement model, meaning recipients must submit documentation for completed work and invoices to receive funding. Recipients must also comply with audit requirements and retain financial records for up to seven years.

For more information, applicants can contact Bridget Lewis, Civil Rights Trail Grant Management Specialist, at 405-521-4533 or bridget.lewis@history.ok.gov.