Talent Attraction and Economic Growth
City Vibrancy
- 20Kjobs by 2033, prioritizing opportunities for historically underrepresented Tulsans.
- $563Min direct employment income collectively generated by Tulsa Remote relocators, significantly contributing to Tulsa's economic vitality.
- 5%is where Tulsa ranks among U.S. cities for startup creation.
Tulsa For You and Me
Thriving cities create a wide range of economic opportunities for their residents.
Our approach
GKFF is committed to building a robust economy that nurtures talent, drives prosperity and creates opportunities for everyone. We support a collective of nationally recognized programs focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and talent attraction – designed to strengthen career pathways, attract new talent to Tulsa and propel the city's growth.
Through this bold initiative, we aspire to foster the creation of 20,000 jobs in high-growth sectors by 2033, ensuring that at least one-third of these opportunities benefit Tulsans from historically underrepresented communities.
Tulsa’s rising prominence as a hub for innovation and equitable economic development has garnered national acclaim. Among nearly 400 applications for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program, Tulsa was selected as one of only 12 recipients, securing funding to drive economic transformation and job creation. Additionally, Tulsa is one of just two regions to achieve both a Build Back Better Regional Challenge award and a Tech Hub grant, bringing over $90 million in EDA funding since 2022.
What we support
By funding initiatives that promote equity, innovation and vibrancy, GKFF is helping build a stronger, more inclusive Tulsa, where economic opportunity creates equitable prosperity. This vision is brought to life through partnerships that:
- Close wealth gaps by investing in business leaders and entrepreneurs of color, along with other historically excluded groups
- Equip the next generation of leaders and talent in Tulsa with the skills and experiences they need to succeed
- Attract and retain remote workers whose skills and ambitions contribute to Tulsa’s economy and community
- Accelerate growth in Tulsa’s most impactful industries: virtual health, energy tech, advanced air mobility and cyber technology
- Position Tulsa as a national business and economic development trailblazer
I’ve grown my personal and professional networks, and I genuinely feel like I have been able to find my people. I can honestly say that moving to Tulsa is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Helping people live, work and grow
Our Team
Benjamin Stewart
BioBenjamin Stewart
Senior Program Officer and Managing Director
Ben Stewart, a Tulsa native, is a senior program officer and managing director who works on talent initiatives at GKFF. Prior to joining GKFF in 2010, Stewart worked in venture capital for the Oklahoma Life Sciences Fund, lived abroad in Argentina and worked with social entrepreneurship groups Ashoka and Endeavor. He is a 2007 graduate from the Honors College at the University of Oklahoma with bachelor's degrees in international business, entrepreneurship and Spanish.
