Program areas at OBF
Obf legal services grantsthe obf provides annual grant funds to non-profit organizations in Oklahoma that furnish civil legal aid and advocacy services to oklahomans who would otherwise not be able to afford these critical services. This funding helps ensure that justice is possible for all Oklahoma children, seniors, veterans, victims of domestic violence and other individuals who are in need of such services. Annual grants are also awarded to non-profits that provide law-related education programs to oklahomans, including students from grade school through high school. In 2022, the obf awarded grants to 37 separate organizations to provide civil legal aid services and law related education programs to Oklahoma citizens. It is estimated that some 100,000 individuals/families received law-related services.
In 2022, the obf approved grants in the amount of $207,500 to 6 different non-profit organizations and programs across the state of Oklahoma to provide legal service aid to low income populations in the areas of community redevelopment and mortgage foreclosure defense. The grants were funded by distributions made pursuant to a global settlement agreement of several lawsuits brought by the us department of justice against entities who allegedly committed acts that contributed to the 2008 housing market financial collapse.
Obf court grantsthe obf provides annual grant funds to district and appellate courts across the state to help advance and improve the administration of justice by updating and improving courtroom technology, which would probably not occur if not for obf funding. In 2022, the obf awarded grants to 7 different Oklahoma district courts to fund court room technology tools such as smartboards for use by court administrators and litigants.
In 2022, the obf approved 5 court reporter grants in the amount of $15,000 each to kevin c wilmeth, desaray d. martin, roberta l. johnson, amy sherrick, and bethany degarmo to work in rural Oklahoma counties for 3 years. Also, 1 emergency grant in the amount of $5,000 was made to Oklahoma guardian ad litem institute to help with voca grant cuts.