George Kaiser Family Foundation

With Tulsa recently designated as a U.S. Tech Hub and awarded $51 million in federal funding, the city is poised to create over 50,000 high-quality tech jobs. Atlas School is at the forefront of this movement, equipping the next generation of tech talent with the in-demand coding skills needed for a successful career in software development. Explore this TulsaPeople Magazine story to learn about the school's unique and tailored educational experience that combines deep connections with regional employer partners to provide students with a roadmap for their journey into the tech world: https://ow.ly/G6Uj50T36HY.

This summer, Build in Tulsa hosted the Future CEO Camp, an immersive week-long program. Aspiring entrepreneurs gained hands-on experience in business fundamentals, exploring wealth-building, financial literacy and social entrepreneurship while enjoying a dynamic and engaging learning environment. This annual camp welcomes all Tulsa County students ages 11-19 who are interested in entrepreneurship and learning how to start a business. Keep up with how Build in Tulsa is providing opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs at https://ow.ly/5Yxj50SXcwU.

Since 2011, GKFF has provided scholarships to more than 100 students at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine. The program recruits and trains physicians and physician assistants dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of entire communities – especially vulnerable and underserved populations in rural and urban areas of Oklahoma. The school’s accelerated curriculum and residency program address the urgent need for community-based healthcare providers, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and supports the development of a robust healthcare system capable of effectively serving a diverse population. Learn more about how this program is shaping the future of healthcare at https://ow.ly/kmMi50SW4Y9.

Exciting news, Tulsa. We're thrilled to welcome NYU Tulsa as the university's newest location in the U.S., joining the ranks of its iconic campuses in New York City, Washington, DC and Los Angeles. Starting in January 2025, NYU undergraduates will have the opportunity to spend a semester learning about some of Tulsa's most exciting work in cutting edge technologies, inclusive city-building, native arts, black wealth generation and more.

The Tulsa Housing Authority has started construction on 36N, the largest affordable housing project in the city's history. This $190+ million project, which received a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will transform the 36th Street North corridor and replace the former Comanche Park Apartments with 545 new mixed-use, mixed-income units offering subsidized, workforce and market-rate housing. Supported by several community partners such as our own InvestNorth, 36N aims to revitalize the area by integrating affordable housing, enhancing local amenities and cultivating a vibrant, inclusive community. Learn more about how the Envision Comanche project is fostering neighborhood development at https://ow.ly/kMoX50STSvp.

Artists Creative Fund launched in 2023 to improve funding, visibility and professional development for Tulsa-based artists and creatives. We're excited to welcome the newest group of talented artists, who will present a broad array of creative projects. Learn more about them at https://ow.ly/z8jT50SW3S9.

Welcoming the newest Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) Urban Scholars: Riley Walker, Audrey Tatum, Zaina Sammur and Bryan Flores. They join an esteemed group of scholarship recipients recognized for their desire to care for underserved communities. Since 2013, GKFF has been honored to support outstanding medical students through the GKFF Scholarship in Urban Medicine. This scholarship eases the financial burden for those committed to practicing in underserved hospitals, clinics and agencies in Tulsa. Learn more about OSU-COM's commitment to training the next generation of primary care physicians in Oklahoma through the 🔗 in our bio.

Tulsa's vibrant arts scene gains field recognition for its excellence and innovation. Recently featured in artnet news, the Tulsa Artist Fellowshipstands out as one of the world's most comprehensively resourced artist residencies. Dedicated to supporting visionary artistic practices, Tulsa Artist Fellowship awards place-based funding over three years. Artists and arts workers living in and joining the City of Tulsa receive stipends for actualizing proposed projects and housing, fully subsidized studios, and additional benefits for families and healthcare. Interested in learning more about the program? Don't miss their open house from October 4-6, featuring exhibitions, film screenings, open studios, literary readings, community meals and more. Read the full feature at https://ow.ly/5oSB50SOs5z. ‘Take Me to the Altar' commissioned performance by awardee Ashanti Chaplin, 2024. Flagship at Tulsa Artist Fellowship. Photo by Melissa Lukenbaugh, courtesy of Tulsa Artist Fellowship.

The Tulsa Idea Challenge was a transformative experience for Sara D. Gayle, CFEA and her project partner Chris, who together developed Progress Passport—a mobile app assisting formerly incarcerated women with employment, housing and support. Over the two day event, Tulsa Idea Challenge offered invaluable support through expert panels and resources, culminating in the pair winning Best Experimenters of 2024 and validating their efforts that inspired further refinement of their app. Learn how the Tulsa Idea Challenge supported innovation and collaboration for impactful community-driven problem-solving at https://ow.ly/p4Cs50SOmXm.

We recently gathered with 40 North Tulsa advocates for an update with executive director Ken Levit and our InvestNorth team about GKFF initiatives supporting the community. Our InvestNorth initiative is working alongside residents and local organizations to reactivate North Tulsa's historically Black neighborhoods through targeted investments in housing, health, education and workforce development. Learn more about how InvestNorth is fostering neighborhood development at https://ow.ly/XXLN50SL1BS.