East Tulsa
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- 2,925clients have received services from six co-located nonprofits in East Tulsa's new micro-community resource center.
- 75+small businesses have gained access to capital, technical assistance and mentorship opportunities through Elevate East.
- 1/5Hispanic adults living in Tulsa have less than a 9th grade education — Elevate East is investing in educational programs to address this.
Building a neighborhood for everyone
East Tulsa is the most culturally diverse and fastest-growing community in our city.
A community that welcomes all walks of life
Over 80 languages are spoken and 25 countries are represented by Global District residents. The neighborhood is home to immigrants and refugees seeking a welcoming place to settle in the Heartland.
Our approach
GKFF's Elevate East is a collaborative community and public-private initiative that provides families with resources and opportunities while preserving and enhancing East Tulsa’s cultural assets and commercial corridors.
By funding comprehensive programs and services that enhance education, housing, health, and economic opportunities for the community, Elevate East supports Tulsans with the resources they need to succeed.
Learn more about Elevate East Tulsa on their website.
What we support
Our support for East Tulsans:
- Accelerates immigrant businesses and entrepreneurs through a Global District business incubator that will help launch and scale economic ventures
- Rehabilitates culturally significant buildings and spaces, like Plaza Santa Cecilia, which will house the new business incubator
- Supports activating east Tulsa into a thriving community for residents and an unmissable destination for visitors by providing support for local businesses
- Prepares East Tulsa’s youth to realize their potential and pursue postsecondary opportunities by expanding access to FAFSA, Oklahoma's Promise and other financial supports for accessing postsecondary education
Elevate East is working collaboratively with community members to create opportunities for families to thrive."
Neighborhood programs we support
Our Team
Cynthia Jasso
BioCynthia Jasso
Senior Program Officer
Cynthia Jasso Burke is a senior program officer at GKFF who leads the foundation's Elevate East initiative, a comprehensive neighborhood development strategy seeking to expand pathways to economic prosperity in strategic east Tulsa neighborhoods. She joined GKFF in 2020 after spending time in education, first as an educator and then moving into leadership roles at Teach For America, where she led the region's fundraising and communications efforts. Jasso Burke has been recognized for her volunteerism and service by the Tulsa World, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Oklahoma Hispanic Institute. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate from UCLA. She is a mom, wife and an avid K-Drama fan.
