The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is accepting applications for its 2026 mentoring grants. New and existing Oklahoma mentoring programs that serve students in grades K-12 are eligible to apply for grants of up to $3,000.

Organizations can use the funds for programming, training, materials, start-up costs or other expenses that advance excellence in mentoring.

The Okmulgee Education Foundation’s Bulldog PAWS (Partners at Work in Schools) was awarded a grant last cycle to aid with its mentoring program.

“Mentoring can deeply impact student success in and out of the classroom,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “We’re thrilled to elevate public education by offering these grants. This year, we’ve increased the dollar amount that organizations can apply for to better support the growth and development of these quality mentoring programs.”

To be eligible, programs must serve K-12 age children in Oklahoma. Programs must conduct background checks on all mentors and agree to report quantitative and qualitative outcomes. They must also provide proof of 501(c)(3) status or proof of an agreement with a local public school district or other qualified 501(c)(3) umbrella organization.

Applications are available at OFE. org. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 14.

During the 2025 grant cycle, OFE awarded 12 grants that are expected to impact more than 13,200 K-12 students across Oklahoma. Besides the Bulldog PAWS, the other 2025 grant recipients were the Bartlesville Public School Foundation’s Bruins on the Run, Bartlesville; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Bartlesville; Carney Public Schools Top Dawgs, Carney; The Comeback Kid Society’s Pathways Program, Oklahoma City; Junior Achievement of Oklahoma’s Tulsa BizTown, Tulsa; Loveworks Afterschool Leadership, Norman; Meeker High School Leadership Team, Meeker; Norman High School Elementary Spanish Mentor Program, Norman; Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation’s ReadOKC Book Club, Oklahoma City; Uplift Mentoring’s M.V.P. (Mentors with Vision & Purpose) Initiative, Shawnee; and Whiz Kids of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.

OFE is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. The foundation elevates public education through esteemed honors, mentoring grants, support for public school foundations and partnerships that provide exceptional professional development to educators.

Learn more at OFE.org.