Schools always seem to be thinking up ways to raise money, from bake sales to fundraising drives. Even though states and the federal government are supposed to fund the basics, many teachers are left to buy their classroom supplies, use outdated technology and textbooks, or cannot afford field trips.
There are thousands of grants available to teachers to fill these gaps. They typically help fund your classroom and school. Some are for professional growth or enrichment, but most help fund your classroom and school. An education grant can improve your students’ lives.
From large, national organizations such as Target, Nike, and Toshiba to small, local groups, there is a huge variety of organizations offering grants. But how do you apply for one? Make sure you choose grants that would interest you or your school. Some grants are tailored toward a particular grade level, a particular population served, or even a specific kind of school.
Application Procedure
You should check the application procedure for a grant that meets your needs. It is often necessary to submit a proposal. Your proposal will have to describe what your school does, why you need the grant, and what you plan to do. In competitive grants, your proposal and application will be rated and voted on against those of other applicants. The committee will usually vote on whether to approve or deny the grant. Keep in mind that some grants work on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that after a year, the money is gone, and the grant will not be approved, even if you meet all the requirements.
Educational Grants Available For Teachers
Teachers may apply for some grants for the educational needs of their students or their classrooms. Although you cannot use these grants to pay your bills or buy a house, you can use them for personal enrichment and advancement. A classroom goldfish and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to enhance your professional skills are just a few examples of the kinds of funding you might be able to find. The following are some grants that can help you improve your classroom and, at times, the entire school.
Pets In The Classroom
Have you ever wanted your students to have a pet to care for? Through the Pets in the Classroom program, teachers can purchase fish, bunnies, and other small animals for their classrooms.
Teachers can purchase and maintain small animals in the classroom with the help of the Pets in the Classroom grant program. The Pet Care Trust started this program to provide children with an opportunity to interact with pets, an experience that can have a lasting impact on their lives.
This grant offers $50-$150 to teachers who wish to adopt a pet for their classrooms. Applicants are required to apply by August each year.
Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program
Global Classrooms is designed to enhance teachers’ lives by traveling, enabling them to bring back that experience to their students. For elementary, middle, and high school teachers from the United States, the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (Fulbright TGC) Program offers a year-long professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange to help them develop skills to prepare students for global competition.
Fullbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (Fulbright TGC) equips teachers from the United States with the training, experience abroad, and global collaboration necessary to bring an international perspective to their schools. For K–12 educators, this year-long program includes a short international exchange and an intensive online course. The awardees are given a chance to go abroad for three weeks, where they will be able to meet other teachers and gain new experiences.
The application period for this program runs from December through March each school year, and teachers with at least five years of experience can apply.
Fund for Teachers
Teachers can apply for money toward their professional development goals through the Fund for Teachers. It has been around since 2001. With Fund for Teachers, you can apply for funds to meet your professional development and educational needs, unlike grants for specific conferences or courses.
Grant applications are accepted each year from October to January, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The Fund for Teachers has invested $33.5 million in more than 9,000 teachers since 2001, helping them and their students grow.
NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership Grants
A lack of funding in districts frequently restricts educators’ access to relevant professional development. Teachers at public schools and faculty at public colleges and universities can apply individually or in teams for this grant through the National Education Association Foundation (NEA). Teachers seeking to engage in professional learning and implement it in their classrooms can apply for grants in Learning & Leadership.
A candidate must be a teacher, education support staff member, specialized instructional support professional, and a current NEA member. The NEA Foundation does not provide funding to previous grantees.
An individual can use grant funds to pay for travel, accommodations, meals, registration fees, materials, etc. The group grant funding can be used for educators’ stipends, substitute fees, materials, travel, meals, etc. You cannot use grant funds for indirect costs, grant administration fees, salaries, lobbying, or religious activities.
The grant amount ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. Applicants are invited to submit applications starting June 15, 2022, and ending September 15, 2022.
McCarthey Dressman Teacher Development Grants
K-12 teachers can implement new teaching strategies and pursue innovative professional development through grants from the McCarthey Dressman Educational Foundation. Educators must engage in continuous, insightful, and innovative professional development and growth to be effective. You can apply independently or with others as part of a team, as with the NEA grant. Upon selection, you will work with the foundation to implement your goals and observe their impact on students.
These grants assist small groups of teachers in forming and implementing groundbreaking classroom teaching methods in K-12 classrooms. They offer educators the opportunity to explore fresh ways of promoting critical thinking and observing how they affect students’ learning. In addition to sharing their projects with other educators, teachers are allowed to reflect and write about their projects.
Grants are awarded by the Foundation to individuals for up to $10,000 per year for a maximum amount of $30,000 over three years. They continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Submissions are accepted from January 15 to April 15 each year.
The Laura Bush Foundation Grant
Since 2002, the Laura Bush Foundation has been assisting high-needs schools in keeping their libraries well-stocked. The funds are available for public schools and libraries to update their books and materials.
The grant supports schools with high needs and students eligible for free or reduced lunches. The grant amount is up to $5,000 per school, and there is a rolling deadline for application.
American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation Grant
Each year, one grant cycle is organized by the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, including an open call for applications in March. Organizations are invited to submit online applications to begin the grant process. Successful applicants will be informed via email of their grant status. No more than one application per organization may be submitted per year.
Depending on the funds available, needs such as meal programs or learning initiatives can be funded for teachers or educators employed by a nonprofit school, library, community center, or other nonprofit organization. While the amount of the award varies from case to case, the average award is $10,000. The application period begins in February every year.
Great Public Schools (GPS) Fund Grant
Under the NEA Network grant program, state affiliates of the NEA receive funding to hire a coordinator to assist in implementing federal recovery initiatives intended to improve public education. The program has a two-year renewal period. Teachers can use the funds to fund innovative school-wide programs. Priority is given to different areas of the school each year. Early career educators and projects relating to racial justice were given priority in grant submissions for the 2021 funding year.
Any affiliate may apply for a grant amount up to $15,000. The total award amount will be $100,000. Educators working for nonprofit organizations, libraries, community centers, or K-12 public schools affiliated with the National Education Association can apply.
The application process takes place in two stages. The first round of applications must be submitted by September 15. The second-round application will be due by February 21 if your application is accepted.
Jordan Fundamentals Grant
The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program was established in 1999 for public secondary schools serving economically disadvantaged students to honor outstanding teaching and instructional creativity. A grant will improve academic outcomes and relationships between teachers and students, the school community, and teacher development.
Teachers at schools with high needs are eligible to apply for the grant. Approximately 50% or more of students receive free or reduced lunch at a school considered high-need by the Jordan brand. Grant amounts vary, with an average of $10,000 given to each participant. Applications must be submitted by April 15th every year.
Supply a Teacher
The Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) sponsors an ongoing Supply a Teacher program. Teachers are empowered through the program by receiving supplies for their classrooms, eliminating the need to buy supplies independently. The Supply A Teacher program provides two large boxes filled with the supplies a teacher needs to sustain active learning for 24 students for the semester. If you are a teacher, you can list the supplies your classroom requires. Donors can access your list, which KINF will deliver to your school for direct distribution.
Supplies for teachers normally include pencils, pencil pouches, envelopes, notebooks, sharpeners, pencil erasers, rulers, crayons, markers, highlighters, and pens suitable for the students’ grade levels. The KINF contact list is updated in the summer, but you may contact the organization.
Student Success Grants
Student Success Grants from the National Education Association are designed to help teachers purchase classroom supplies, equipment, and materials. Teachers may utilize the funds for transportation as well. Priority is given to proposals that focus on STEM education. The program offers two funding levels: $1,500 and $5,000. Funding is provided for 12 months after the grant is awarded.
A candidate must be an educator, education professional, or instructional support specialist and a member of the National Education Association. Grantees already receiving NEA Foundation grants are not eligible for concurrent funding. Grants help them purchase materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, or technology.
Applicants for the spring 2022 application period were notified of their status on April 8, with notification dates between December 1 and February 25. Applications for summer 2022 began on March 1 and closed on May 1, with notifications of successful applicants being made on July 1. Last but not least, the winter 2022 application period will run from July 15 to September 15, with notification of successful applicants taking place on November 15.
Verizon Foundation Education Grants
Through its education grants, Verizon hopes to ensure that STEM education is enhanced in schools throughout the country. A school can use these funds to fund extracurricular activities, curriculum integration, and teaching education. It cannot be used to purchase computers for the classroom. Verizon Foundation Education Grants offer up to $6,000 per applicant with rolling deadlines.
Applications for grants are only accepted upon invitation. If you are interested in applying or learning other ways to get involved, you should contact your local community relations manager. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must register the school as a not-for-profit elementary or secondary school to be considered for an invitation.
Are you interested in learning more about different grants and programs that can help you with your living situation? Check out the rest of Gov Relations’ blog section today!
