New Beginnings: Central Oklahoma Habitat Names Rachel Ellis as Director of Research and Grants

Ellis Headshot
Rachel Ellis head shot
CUTLINE 1: Rachel Ellis, 42, of Jones, Oklahoma, has been named Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s Director of Research and Grants. (Photos provided). CUTLINE: 2: New Central Oklahoma Habitat Director of Research and Grants stands outside Habitat’s administrative offices in south Oklahoma City.
Rachel Ellis, 42, of Jones, Oklahoma, is admittedly somewhat of an expert at new beginnings. An Army brat born in Savannah, Georgia, Ellis’ father served in the military, and her family moved often. She learned early how to be resourceful, adapt quickly, and persevere in new environments—all qualities sure to give Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s Director of Research and Grants a step up in the development world.
“This organization is very near and dear to my heart,” Ellis said. “My mom was a Habitat homeowner when we lived in Florida, and I have very fond memories from my early teens of helping complete the sweat equity hours so our family could have a well-built and affordable house. And it wasn’t JUST a house – it became a home.”
Ellis credits Habitat’s generous supporters for donating their “time, talent and funds to helping families fulfill their dreams of homeownership,” including her own.
“I’m beyond grateful in my new role that I now get to pour back my efforts so that Habitat can benefit more families,” she said.
Ellis earned a Business Management degree with a Marketing minor from Purdue Global. She started her career at her first nonprofit in 2010 as a fundraising administrative assistant for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation and later at the University of Tulsa. In 2013, she became a grant writer for the Little Light House in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and worked her way up to serve as director of development by 2015.
A divorced working mom, Ellis moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2018 with her son, Jordan Mouton, now 18. She then became the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s manager of the GiveSmartOKC program. In April 2022, Ellis returned to serve as the grant and foundation manager for the Little Light House in Tulsa.
Although she planned to continue working with the Little Light House, Ellis experienced another new beginning after meeting her future husband, Chris Ellis. The pair married two years ago and have three children, Mouton, Blaze Ellis, now 14, and Bayne Ellis, age 9. Her most recent position in development was serving as a grant writing specialist for Integris Health Foundation.
Central Oklahoma Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said she’s confident Ellis will be a boon to Habitat’s development efforts as the Christian housing ministry continues to raise funds for Phase II’s infrastructure needs at Cornerstone Creek.
“We’re excited that Rachel is onboard, and she’s already establishing herself as a valuable member of our Habitat team,” Felton Gilliland said.