We take pride in the number of outstanding Envision Equity, Learning & Leadership and Student Success grant proposals we receive. Sadly, we can’t fund every worthy proposal, so we encourage you to consider multiple funding sources when putting together a grant application.
The National Education Association offers multiple grants to public school educators throughout the nation, as well as information on other available grants. The maximum award and deadlines vary.
Curricular/school reform; Teacher prep and professional development
The Braitmayer Foundation funds projects utilizing innovative practices in K-12 education throughout the United States. Of particular interest are curricular and school reform initiatives, as well as preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those that encourage people of high ability and diverse backgrounds to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. The maximum award is $35,000, and the deadline is March 15.
Literacy
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grant funding assists in implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs; purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives; and/or purchasing books, materials, or software for literacy programs. The maximum award is $4,000, and the deadline is May 18.
Arts
Fender Music Foundation grants are awarded to music academies, schools, local music programs, and national music programs across America, particularly in-school music classes in which the students make music; after-school music programs that are not run by a school; and music therapy programs, in which the participants make the music. The foundation provides musical instruments and/or equipment, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Various (rural)
The Foundation for Rural Service provides annual grants for communities served by NTCA members. The goal of this program is to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. The maximum award is $5,000, and the deadline is October 1.
Healthy eating and physical activity
Fuel Up to Play 60 funds schools’ attempts to jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. The maximum award is $4,000, and the deadline is June 14.
Professional development
The Fund for Teachers provides funds for direct grants to teachers to support professional development and summer learning opportunities of their own design. The maximum award is $10,000, and the deadline is January 31.
Keep America Beautiful and Waste Management look to encourage local solutions that showcase environmental stewardship and community improvement efforts. Grants will be awarded for programs that will improve communities, increase local recycling, or expand public education related to recycling. The maximum award is $10,000.
Tech upgrades; renovations
Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation focuses its giving efforts on public education and community improvement projects through two primary grant programs: Lowe’s Toolbox for Education and Lowe’s Community Partners. The maximum award is $25,000, and deadlines vary.
Student learning
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extracurricular programs that improve student learning. The foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students’ knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them. The maximum award is $10,000 per year for up to three years, and the deadline is April 15.
Professional development
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grants provide funding to individuals or small teams of teachers in the formation and implementation of groundbreaking K-12 classroom instruction. The grants provide opportunities for teachers to integrate fresh strategies that encourage critical inquiry and to observe their effects on students. The maximum award is $10,000 per year for up to three years, and the deadline is April 15.
Accessibility
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation Grants program is dedicated to helping young Americans with disabilities maximize their potential and fully participate in society. A major program emphasis is inclusion: enabling young people with disabilities to have full access to educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities, and to participate alongside their non-disabled peers. The maximum award is $90,000, and the deadline is June 1.
Arts
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation provides musical instruments and instrument repairs to existing K-12 school music programs that have no other source of financing to purchase additional musical instruments and materials. Applications are by invitation only.
Geography/social studies
NCSS’s Grants for Geographic Literacy promote geography education in schools, enhance the geographic literacy of students at the school, district, or statewide level, and encourage the integration of geography into the social studies curriculum. The maximum award is $2,500, and the deadline is May 15.
STEM
NCTM’s Mathematics Education Trust channels the generosity of contributors through the creation and funding of grants, awards, honors, and other projects that support the improvement of mathematics teaching and learning. Various grants are available throughout the year. The maximum award is $24,000, and deadlines are in early May and early November, depending on the grant.
Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts’ Art Works Grants support the creation of art that increases public engagement and promotes lifelong learning in the arts by strengthening communities. The maximum award is $100,000, and deadlines are in February, May, and July.
STEM
The NSTA offers a number of awards for science teachers looking to expand classroom learning or professional development. The maximum award is $10,000.
STEM
The NSTA/ExxonMobil Teachers Academy offers a program designed to provide third through fifth grade teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math. The maximum award is an all-expenses paid five-day program in June.
State Farm Foundation Grants focus giving in three areas: safety, community development, and education. The maximum award is $100,000.
The Target Field Trip Grants Program was designed to help teachers bring learning to life for students and enhance classroom studies. The grants can be used to cover the cost of transportation, entry fees, supplies, and classroom resource materials so that teachers may continue using the valuable experiential learning gained from math and science, language, social studies and arts-focused field trips. The maximum award is $700.
STEM
Toshiba America Foundation grants support inquiry-based projects designed by individual teachers and small teams of teachers for use in their own classrooms to improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics. The maximum award varies, and deadlines are February 1 or August 1 for grade 6-8 and October 1 for K-5.
Various
The U.S. Department of Education administers approximately 200 grant programs. Descriptions of these programs, as well as applications and guidelines, can be found on the Department’s grants page.
Various
The Voya Unsung Heroes awards program recognizes innovative and progressive thinking in education by providing educators resources to fund classroom projects. The maximum award is $25,000, and the deadline is April 30.
