The Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program was established by HB 2914 through legislative action and is administered by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. The statutory authority for this program is cited as 74 O.S. § 20k-1A. The purpose of the grant is to enhance the capabilities and ensure the professionalism of law enforcement services statewide by supporting the lawful operations of sheriff’s offices in eligible counties. This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening public safety infrastructure, especially in rural and under-resourced areas.
This funding opportunity is aimed at counties within the State of Oklahoma, providing direct financial support to sheriff’s offices to improve their operational effectiveness. Specific use of funds must align with lawful purposes pertinent to the mission and duties of county sheriff’s departments. Allowable uses include but are not limited to equipment purchases, personnel expenses, operational support, and potentially capital improvements that directly support law enforcement operations. Certain uses such as supplanting existing funds are prohibited, and stipends or bonuses must align with lawful compensation practices.
Eligibility for this grant is limited to county sheriff’s offices within Oklahoma. Only one application per county is allowed, and each sheriff or their designee must complete the application via the Oklahoma Grant Exchange (OGX) platform during the specified application window. The grant application for the 2025 cycle opens on July 1, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. and closes on August 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. The application process is entirely online. OGX will host a virtual training session on July 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to support applicants with the portal.
Award determinations are made by the Office of the Attorney General, and the funds are distributed to the county fiscal officer or sheriff based on awarded amounts. The 2025 awards ranged from $150,000 to $300,000 per county, depending on assessed needs and eligibility. A total of $17.9 million was distributed across all Oklahoma counties for this cycle. There is no matching requirement for this grant, simplifying access for counties with limited fiscal capacity. Funds must be expended within a designated period, although the specific performance timeline is not detailed in the provided content.
Post-award requirements include expenditure reporting, and modifications to awarded budgets may be allowed upon approval. The program allows for continued use of funds even if the elected sheriff is replaced due to retirement or election results, provided the expenditures remain lawful. Furthermore, sheriffs may enter into MOUs with service providers for purposes aligned with their official functions.
For further information or questions regarding the grant program, interested parties are advised to contact Stephanie Lowery, Grants Administrator, at [email protected] or by phone at (405) 522-2617. All program details and updates will be managed through the OGX platform and the Attorney General's website.
