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Hometown of Tulsa

We invest in youth and families in the Schusterman family’s hometown, helping them gain the agency, knowledge and resources needed to overcome systemic barriers and design their own futures.

Hometown Tulsa Clapping Outside a Building

(Photo: City Year Tulsa)

Our Vision

Since the earliest days of the Schusterman family’s philanthropy, we have invested in strengthening the social and economic fabric of their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Alongside our partners, we have worked for nearly four decades to ensure Tulsa is a compelling place to live and work.

To shape the city as a place where all people can thrive, it is important to understand the lasting effects of Tulsa’s past. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was part of a long history of discrimination and violence against Tulsa’s Black community and has contributed to the racial and economic inequities people of color continue to experience today—particularly in north Tulsa.

We believe the path toward progress runs through improving our hometown’s critical systems, including public education, higher education, social services and housing. We envision this work will contribute to building a vibrant and equitable Tulsa, where all community members have true access to the resources and opportunities that will enable them to realize their full potential and build a better future for themselves and their families.

The Opportunity

Tulsa is a resilient, vibrant city fueled by civic pride and a belief that if we work together, we can build a community where everyone can thrive.

At the same time, like many U.S. cities, Tulsa faces serious challenges underscored by significant disparities in every outcome area—including educational attainment, household income and life expectancy—based on race and ZIP code.

Today, community leaders in Tulsa are charting a path forward in which everyone—especially people of color, immigrants, families living in poverty and LGBTQ people—can thrive. To support this work, we invest in local organizations and community-led initiatives that center the experiences of those most impacted and strive to ensure that youth and families have food to eat, a stable place to live, and the chance to succeed at school and work. In particular, we support opportunities for positive youth experiences and education; pathways to college and careers that prepare young adults to earn a living wage; and efforts to set up families and communities to thrive.

1 in 5

Children in Tulsa is at risk of going to bed hungry. (Source)

13.5%

Young adults (16-24) in Tulsa are not working and are not in school. (Source)

19%

Of Black Tulsans have a bachelor's degree, about half the rate of white Tulsans. (Source)

11th

Highest eviction rate among U.S. cities. (Source)

Our Focus Areas

We work closely with our community-based partners to make Tulsa a great place to live for everyone.

Youth Experiences and Education

Youth Experiences and Education

We support an array of programs that engage youth in academics, leadership development and STEM learning so they can develop as engaged citizens and community leaders.

Pathways to College and the Workforce student discussion in library

Pathways to College and the Workforce

We work to ensure that every young person in Tulsa—regardless of their race, ethnicity or the neighborhood where they grow up—has the opportunities and support they deserve to earn a postsecondary credential and earn a fair wage.

Digging a raised bed garden

Family and Community Support

We help increase access to resources so families and communities can overcome racial, social and economic inequities and live healthy, self-sustaining lives.

Our Grantees

We are proud to support a range of organizations and initiatives working to overcome racial, social and economic barriers in Tulsa. Meet some of our grantees.

View more grantees in our Tulsa Grantmaking portfolio
Preparing Youth for a STEM-Enabled Future, Students looking through microscope

Preparing Youth for a STEM-Enabled Future

To ensure all young people have access to high-impact careers, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance (TRSA) is shaping a growing pipeline of diverse STEM talent by building broad, deep and innovative STEM pathways for students.

Supporting Equity-Oriented Classroom Leaders

Supporting Equity-Oriented Classroom Leaders

Since 2009, Teach For America’s presence in Tulsa has helped develop excellent, culturally responsive educators. Today, TFA corps members reach 6,000 students in 32 schools across the Tulsa area, and over 300 alumni call Tulsa home and continue to make a difference in our community.

Advocating for the Arts, students playing violins and cello in an orchestra

Advocating for the Arts

Ahha Tulsa advocates for arts and humanities education at all levels and develops innovative programs and exhibits that bring the arts to the public.

Advancing Equal Rights, two people draped in a rainbow flag

Advancing Equal Rights

Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) seeks equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

Protecting Vulnerable Children, policeman walking two children into Children's Advocacy Center

Protecting Vulnerable Children

Child Abuse Network provides collaborative intervention services to child abuse victims so they can embrace a future driven by hope.

Creating Engaging Learning Environments, volunteer helping students

Creating Engaging Learning Environments

City Year Tulsa AmeriCorps members partner with teachers and schools to help create learning environments where all students can build on their strengths and fully engage in their learning.

Our Team

With deep roots in the Tulsa community and backgrounds working with local nonprofits, our Grantmaking Team is committed to making Tulsa a place where everyone can thrive.