Impact Academy PROJECTS
Every year, Impact Academy selects several high-impact, social innovation projects that address community needs in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We seek projects that are:
LOCAL – Projects are Tulsa and Oklahoma-based, focused on addressing community needs and creating impact locally.
BIG – Mine Projects answer a big question or attack a strategy outside of the day-to-day scope of operations of an organization.
SCALEABLE – Our projects create innovations and solutions that can be scaled to create widespread change outside of an individual organization.
COMMUNITY-OWNED – We work on projects that “live” somewhere and have a champion and organization to implement recommendations.
PAST Projects
Summer 2024
Circle Cinema — Circle Cinema is a 501(c)(3) movie theater in the Kendall-Whittier district. It is currently the only nonprofit theater in Tulsa. The mission of Circle Cinema is to use film to foster understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the human experience and create community among the viewers in the restored historic Circle Cinema. This project explored strategies to expand their presence and programming for BIPOC communities.
Prism Project — The Prism Project aims to advance inclusivity and foster safe spaces for LGBTQ+ Tulsans through research and education. The Prism Project is searching for ways to advance queer business owners’ equality by creating inclusive support sytems for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses
Tulsa Botanic Garden — The Tulsa Botanic Garden is one of only three true botanical gardens in the state of Oklahoma. Spanning over 170 acres, their mission statement is to promote the beauty and importance of plants and nature to create a more sustainable and harmonious world. They are seeking a plan to assess the most urgent needs of the 1.5 mile Cross Timbers Nature trail and surrounding areas to support a proposal to restore, enhance, and further grow the existing 1.5 mi trail and the surrounding eco-region.
Summer 2023
J’ Parle’ — J’ Parle’ Artist Group Incorporated (JAG Inc.) is a Tulsa-based nonprofit organization that champions BIPOC creatives of all disciplines. JAG Inc.’s mission is to create platforms for Tulsa thought leaders to showcase their natural creative abilities. This project focuses on the expansion of the organization to promote the arts scene in Tulsa.
Terence Crutcher Foundation — The Terence Crutcher Foundation (TCF) works to create just and liberated communities free from racial violence and harm through building power, policy advocacy, community development, and education. TCF is seeking a plan to explore how their newly purchased commercial property, North Pointe, can be utilized as a catalyst for job creation and growth within North Tulsa and the broader Tulsa area.
Lisa’s House Ministries — Lisa's House Ministries (LHM) is dedicated to providing transitional housing services to individuals in Tulsa who are homeless or facing housing insecurity. LHM provides services including housing assistance, financial literacy courses, and self-wellness advisement. This project includes the expansion of their current housing to provide additional assistance to those in need.
Summer 2022
Fresh Rx — Fresh Rx Oklahoma sources local and regeneratively grown, nutrient-dense, organic vegetables and fruits to program participants while stimulating the local economy by supporting small, local farmers. This project included the expansion of partnerships and the development of a sustainable business model.
36 Degrees North — 36 Degrees North is Tulsa’s base camp for entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups. They provide a high-quality workspace, helpful resources, and vibrant community entrepreneurs who need to build growing companies and drive economic impact in Tulsa. This project worked to develop a summer internship program geared toward college students.
City of Tulsa — City of Tulsa has proposed the New Tulsans Initiative Welcoming Plan will provide pathways for socially responsible immigrant integration and will seek out opportunities that benefit both native-born and immigrant residents of Tulsa. This project included the further development of this project to be utilized in the next 5 years.
Summer 2021
9b Corp— 9b provides data and analytics solutions to purpose-driven organizations. They work to empower our clients to make well-informed, evidence-driven decisions. This project included developing a collective data system to help nonprofits around Tulsa share data to promote wellness in Tulsa.
Sustainable Tulsa — Sustainable Tulsa has been highly successful in providing education, tools, and resources to inform and engage businesses and individuals in the three areas of sustainability: social responsibility, economic vitality, and environmental stewardship across Tulsa.
B&Co. — Bringing 30 years of industry know-how specializing in retirement, executive compensation, and health and welfare plans been exploring ways to do impact investing in a way that supports local Tulsa business owners and entrepreneurs from Tulsa disadvantaged areas and in businesses with a social impact outcome. This project included creating a Venture capital fund focused on scaling small companies or investing in new businesses.
TEDC Creative Capital — TEDC is charged with promoting and sustaining small business growth in Tulsa. Their mission is to create economic vitality in communities by encouraging small business growth. One way to encourage more small businesses is to prepare and accelerate the potential of franchise ownership. This project worked to promote the potential expansion of franchise businesses in underdeveloped communities.
Summer 2020
Women in Recovery (WIR) — Women in Recovery is an intensive outpatient alternative for eligible women facing long prison sentences. Operated in partnership with the George Kaiser Family Foundation. This project included increasing graduation and participation rates of the program.