The following links will help in your search for a grant. While this list is not comprehensive, it does serve as an excellent starting point in your grant journey. You should begin by familiarizing yourself with all of the resources that are available and then decide whether or not your project is a “good fit” with a potential source.
When you have located a grant that seems to be a good fit with your goals and mission, look to the links in the grant writing section for tips on how to develop and format your proposal. No two grants are the same, so be prepared to modify your proposal for each grant that you apply for throughout the process. (Sites listed in this section are also good resources for potential grant opportunities.)
Grant Sources Websites
- Grant wrangler.com: This site focuses on grant resources specific to teachers.
- Schoolgrants.org and K12grants.org: You will find hints that will help you as you begin to write your grant proposals located in this section of the SchoolGrants site. This also has an available grants section.
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The National Education Association Foundation for the improvement of education inspires public education employees to ensure that all students succeed. Created by the National Education Association, the foundation makes grants to improve public education nationwide.
- The Grantsmanship Center offers information on federal, state, community and international funding sources. It also provides training in grant research and writing.
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The Finance Project has several publications on how to find federal, state, and local funds for education programs. The organization has also produced a new series, "Strategies for Financing Children & Family Services, Community Building and Development," that offers options for generating resources or for using resources effectively to fund specific programmatic needs.
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E-School News focuses on helping educators find funding for technology. While there is a subscription fee to receive the eschool newsletter, the site offers an array of free information on various grant sources.
- Texas Council for the Humanities
- fundsnetservices.com
Math & Science
The Actuarial Foundation - Advancing Student Achievement
Deadline:(not listed)
Funds: Up to $25,000 total
asa@actfnd.org
Through its Advancing Student Achievement program, the Actuarial Foundation awards monetary grants to schools and nonprofit groups throughout the United States and Canada. The basic requirement for schools or groups seeking funding is that they develop a viable mentoring program involving actuaries in the teaching of mathematics to children in private or public schools. The program brings together actuaries and educators in local classroom environments with the belief that interaction with real-world mentors will boost students' interest and achievement in math. The Actuarial Foundation provides a local network of actuaries ready to participate, as well as suggestions on how to integrate math concepts from the workplace into the classroom. Groups applying for grants will be given wide latitude in designing programs that enhance learning and create a "love of math" in each students.
There are 85 actuaries in the Austin area.
K-12 School Teacher Enhancement
Deadline: End of September or January
Funds: Up to $20,000 per award
Contact: Nan Waksman Schanbacher, (610) 668-8644
The Waksman Foundation supports projects that enhance teachers' use of microorganisms to teach science in the K-12 classroom. Eligible projects are designed to enhance K-12 education through teacher training, course or curriculum development, construction of laboratory exercises, or innovative use of electronic media. There are no fixed application deadlines, but proposals submitted by the end of September or January can be assured of action within a month or two. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation by telephone or eMail before submitting a proposal.
RGK Foundation Grants
Deadline: No Deadlines
Funds: Varies
Contact: Jami Hampton, (512) 474-9298
The RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of education, community, and medicine or health. The foundation's primary interests within education include programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science, and reading or literacy), after-school tutoring and enrichment, integrating technology into the curriculum, teacher development, and higher education. The foundation is particularly interested in programs that attract female and minority student into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology. The foundation does not consider unsolicited grant proposals; instead, applicants are required to submit an electronic Letter of Inquiry on the foundation's web site. Letters of Inquiry are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so there is no deadline for submission. The foundation will respond to letters by eMail within three weeks to let applicants know if they should submit a formal proposal.
Toshiba America Foundation
Deadline: Grades K-6: October; Grades 7-12: year round for projects under $5,000 and February 1 and August 1 of each year for projects over $5,000
Funds: Vary. Grants for K-6 projects are generally $1,000 or less. The average awared for small 7-12 grade grants is less than $4,000 each. For larger 7-12 grants, the average is $9,500 each. The foundation's total annual grants budget is approximately $500,000.Eligibility: Classroom teachers must be involved in the planning of the program to serve students in public or private U.S. schools. Projects must occur during the school day. After-school and take-home programs are not eligible. Contact: Program Office, Toshiba America Foundation, 1251 Ave. of the Americas, 41st Floor, NY, New York, 10022; (212) 596-0620; E-mail: foundation@tai.toshiba.com;
The Toshiba America Foundation notes that its grants 'have ranged from awards of a few hundred dollars for graden supplies for a kindergarten classroom up to $25,000 for a fully-equipped greenhouse on a high school campus." K-6 projects should take place over several class periods, and should not be based solely on a pre-packaged kit. For 7-12 grade grants, the foundation is particularly interested in projects that tap into the natural curiosity of students, enabling them to frame their own scientific questions, and have incorporated the expertise of community partners.
Other
The BMW Group
Deadline: Ongoing
Funds: Varies
Education is the backbone of society and so the BMW Group is concerned with advancing education at all levels, from the very young to those pursuing advanced degrees. Our grant making focuses on three areas:
- Intercultural learning for students and their teachers in grades K-12
- automotive technology, mechanics, career and repair programs in high schools, technical schools and community colleges
- research in the areas of safety design, ergonomics, and new materials.
Brinker International
Deadline: All requests for cash or in-kind donations are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Funds: With a variety of local fund-raising activities and corporate giving programs, Brinker and its restaurants contribute more than $3 million annually to its corporate giving fund.
Contact: Brinker International Charitable Committee, 6820 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240, Fax, (972) 770-5877
Geographic Area: Communities in which the company's restaurants (Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Rockfish Seafood Grill) are located.
Brinker International supports programs and initiatives that address children and families, the arts, civic development and university-related educational programs. Eligible organizations must have 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status. Religious groups, individuals, United Way affiliates, political groups, conferences, research projects, travel expenses and capital campaigns will not be considered.
Coca-Cola Foundation Grants
Deadline: Quarterly
Funds: Varies
The Coca-Cola Foundation supports high-quality education and encourages new solutions to the problems that impede educational systems today. It also supports programs that have been proven to work. The foundation makes grants to public and private colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, teacher training programs, educational programs for minority students, and global educational programs. The Coca-Cola Foundation Board of Directors reviews funding proposals in quarterly meetings. All requests receive a written response when the review process is complete.
Dollar General Corporation
Deadline:March 5, June 5, Sept. 5, and Dec. 5, annually
Funds:$2,500 average grant
Contact: Dollar General Corporation, Charitable Contributions, 100 Mission Ridge, Goodlettsville, TN 37072
The Dollar General Corporation states that there is no greater gift than enabling people to empower themselves. Through its Back-to-School program, the company awards grants to help schools meet their financial challenges in starting new programs or buying equipment, software, or basic education. Awards go to schools or nonprofit organizations that are located in Dollar General's communities. Grant requests should be based on the organization's needs, but the average grant range is $2,500 or less.
Innovation Grants
Deadline: September 15, February 1, and June 1 (Applications are reviewed three times a year)
Funds: Up to $5,000
The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NIFE) awards innovation grants to support the collaborative efforts of two or more colleagues to develop and implement creative ideas that increase student achievement. Grants funds -- of up to $5,000 -- may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, or scholars-in-residence; most of the funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students. Preference will be given to applicants who serve economically disadvantaged students.
Learning and Leadership Grants
Deadline: September 15, February 1 and June 1 (Applications are reviewed three times a year)
Funds: from $2,000 to $5,000
The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) awards learning and leadership grants to individual teachers who want to participate in such professional development experiences as summer institutes or action research; and to groups for such professional development experiences as action research, lesson study, or mentoring. Grant funds, which range from $2,000 to $5,000, "may be used for fees, travel expenses, books, or other materials that enable applicants to learn subject matter, instructional approaches, and skills."
Texas Instruments Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Fund: $5,000 to $10,000 per award
Contact: (214) 480-3221
The Texas Instruments Foundation requires no special application form. Grants usually range from $5,000 to $10,000, but the foundation has awarded some schools up to $100,000. Approximately 65 awards are granted each year. Applicants are encourage to submit one- or two-page proposals that briefly outline the following: purpose of the organization, population served, amount requested, how the requested funds will be used, how the proposal matches funding interests of the foundation, and a copy of 501(c)(3) designation. Proposals are considered from civic, research, educational, health, welfare, charitable, and cultural organizations that have been ruled to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are not private foundations as defined by the code.
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Education Grants
Ongoing
Funds: Varies
Contact: Grants Administration Department, loi@hewlett.org
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation seeks to achieve greater quality and equality of educational opportunity in the United States and throughout the world through grants that support increased student achievement, improved access to exemplary educational content, and other goals as outlined on its web site. The foundation will not consider requests to fund student aid, individual scholarships, construction, equipment and computer purchases, health research, or health education programs. Applicants should submit a brief letter of intent for initial review, after which proposals may or may not be requested. Full proposals will not be accepted unless they are requested. Check the foundation's web site for details before sending a letter of intent.
Professional Development
The National Education Association Foundation
Deadline: September 15, February 1, June 13 (three times a year)
Funds: $2,000 to $5,000
The mission of The NEA Foundation is to ensure that all students succeed.
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The foundation's grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth.
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Grants also fund project-based learning and break-the-mold innovations that significantly imporve achievement for underserved students.
The NEA Foundation makes $2,00 and $5,000 grants to practicing US public school teachers in grades K-12, public school education support professionals, and faculty and staff at US public high education institutions. All applicants must read and follow the grant guidelines. These grants are funded in part by Staples Recycle for Education.
GAERF Mini-Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Funds: $2,500 per award
The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) has provided more than $4.5 million to fund more than 125 projects at more than 45 institutions since it was founded in 1983. GAERF awards two types of grants: full grants and mini-grants. Mini-grants are awarded for projects such as one-day workshops, specialized conferences, and the production of career and educational materials. Funding is limited to $2,500 per project and may be submitted at any time. Four mini-grants are awarded per year. Requests for mini-grant funding should be submitted in the same manner as other foundation proposals.
Technology
eSchool News focuses on helping educators find funding for technology. While there is a subscription fee to receive the eschool newsletter, the site offers an array of free information on various grant sources.
Grant Writing Websites
School Grants will help you as you begin to write your grant proposals located in this section of the School Grants site.
This is a link to an About.com article that address how educators who are seeking grant opportunities should go about the search and writing process.
The subject of this The Foundation Center short course is proposal writing, recognizing that the proposal does not stand alone. It must be part of a process of planning and of research on, outreach to, and cultivation of potential foundation and corporate donors.