Cassava Harvest Time, Nigeria, by painter Dorothy Hayes.
Cassava Harvest Time, Nigeria, by painter Dorothy Hayes.
Photo by Ellan Young Grant, Malawi, UNICEF
A TRIBUTE TO JASMINE DYOCO FOR THIS LISTING
Malaika thanks Jasmine Dyoco from North Carolina who provided this extensive listing of grants for K-12 teachers. Jasmine is the Founder of Educator Labs with a mission to “conserve the educational web & connect educators with exceptional resources”. The Educator Lab Resource Bank is a veritable card catalog for high-quality teacher resources for modern educators. http://educatorlabs.org
TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR GRANT PROPOSAL
To be considered for a grant, you will need to provide information that demonstrates why your cause has more merit and value than another. This document is called a grant proposal. Different organizations have specific requirements on what content to include in your proposal, but regardless of whom you’re requesting funding from, there are a few basic tenets you should include. The following resources provide helpful information on creating a strong message to deliver to your intended grantor.
Identify your needs
Before you even begin looking for grants, try making a list of what exactly you’ll need from funders. This resource points out that the organizations awarding grant money often have very specific ideas about who they want to provide funds to and how they should be used. Having a clear idea of what you require to reach your goals will help you decipher which grants are likeliest to support your efforts.
Develop and outline a budget
Even though you may be applying for several grants in the hopes of covering your entire proposed budget, it is a good idea to include information on all of the areas in which your financing will be applied. For instance, if you have a goal of acquiring $5,000 in funding and apply for a $1,000 grant to cover part of it, your idea of how those funds could be used versus how the organization feels they should be used may differ, so don’t limit yourself by excluding aspects of your budgeting plan.
Have a timeline
Knowing how you will be spending your time and when you aspire to reach milestones can be as important to a grantor as your prospective budget. For many grants, a simple indication of a start and end date will suffice, but you may be required to be specific and give more frequent updates on your project’s status for larger amounts of funding.
Explain what you hope to achieve
There are likely other competitors going for the same grant you are, and there are usually a limited amount of award recipients. That means you’ve got to prove why you are going to have more outstanding results than your competition. Be specific but realistic about your intended accomplishments.
There are also many comprehensive guides to writing proposals. The Foundation Center offers a user-friendly step-by-step guide on the sections you’ll want to include in a successful grant proposal, and includes detailed information on suggested lengths for each section.
Enhancing Student Mathematics Learning through the Use of Tools and Technology Grants, Pre-K-12
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics grants are offered to teachers, up to $3,000, The purpose of this grant is to encourage the innovative use of technology and other tools to "help teachers and students visualize and concretize mathematics abstractions..." ( Principles to Actions ). When used appropriately, they can enhance other effective teaching and promote meaningful learning opportunities for students. For 2021, grants with a maximum of $3,000 each will be awarded to persons currently teaching mathematics in grades Pre-K-12. Materials may include, but not be limited to, books, calculators, tablets, computers, or related equipment as well as professional development in the use of the designated tools and technology. The focus of the proposal should be on the mathematics being taught and innovative uses of the tools and technology. Proposals must include a plan for evaluating materials and the anticipated impact on students' learning.
Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds from internal and external sources. The applicant must be a current (on or before April 19, 2020) Full Individual or E-Member, of NCTM, or teach at a school with a current (on or before April 19, 2020) NCTM Pre-K-8 school membership, and currently teach mathematics in grades Pre-K-12 at least 50 percent of the school day. Project activities are to be completed between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. Past recipients of this grant are not eligible to re-apply. No person(s) may receive more than one award administered by the Mathematics Education trust in the same academic year.
Interested teachers are invited to submit a proposal. The MET Proposal Cover Form must be completed and serve as the top page of each copy of the proposal. The proposal must be word processed and single-sided (please organize as outlined below), with margins of at least one inch on 8.5" x 11" paper. Font size must be no smaller than 10-point (Times Roman suggested), and the width between characters should be normal (100%).
Five copies (one original and four copies) of the proposal should be included in a single packet addressed to the Mathematics Education Trust at NCTM, 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502.
Application Deadline: The online application will be open on November 15, 2020.
Kids in Need Foundation
The Kids In Need Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids In Need Foundation provides free school supplies to the Resource Centers in our National Network across the country where teachers go to get free supplies for their students Closest resource center to Nebraska is in Minneapolis.
Elmer's Products and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores are the National Sponsors of the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program. Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide educators with funding to purchase the materials they need to conduct innovative projects in their classrooms. We help engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource — our nation’s teachers.
Application Deadline: Teachers may fill out applications online, including the Elmer’s Teacher Took Kit applications, at WWW.KINF.ORG between July 15 and September 30, 2016.
KaBOM! Grants for Outdoor Play
KaBOOM! works to bring balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. We do this by creating great places to play, inspiring communities to promote and support play and driving the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. Let's Play Imagination Playground Grant is an innovative design in play equipment that encourages creativity, communication, and collaboration in play. With a collection of custom-designed, oversized blue foam parts, Imagination Playground™ provides a changing array of elements that allow children to turn their playground into a space constantly built and re-built by their imagination. For more information about Imagination Playground™ go to kaboom.org/imaginationplayground.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines at the end of each month.
Eligibility: Municipalities and child-serving nonprofit organizations.
There are many grants available specifically for STEM educators. The following resources provide information on some of the most well-known grants for teachers in these roles, or for school districts who wish to bring new technologies to their classrooms. Be sure to check grantor webpages for specific requirements and deadline dates, as they may vary from year to year.
The NEA Foundation
Grants are awarded to teachers employed by a public school or secondary education institution in the amounts of either $2,000 or $5,000. Funds are intended to support students in their critical thinking capacities, which is often supported by advanced technologies.
Application Deadline: Accepted year-round; submissions reviewed February 1, June 1, and October 15.
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams
STEM educators and recommended teams of 10 to 15 students can apply for up to $10,000 in their pursuit to invent a technological solution to an everyday problem. The idea behind this grant, which is funded by the Lemelson Foundation and awarded by the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is for teachers to lead their students to devise a solution and inspire minds to pursue further education in the field of technology.
Application Deadline: Mid-March for initial application; Early September for final application.
Toshiba America Foundation
This grant is awarded to teachers of two different groups, kindergarten through fifth grade (in the amount of $1,000) and sixth through twelfth grades (amounts of up to $5,000). Applicants must demonstrate a desire to provide an innovative, technology-focused implementation to improving classroom learning for students.
Application Deadline: October 1 for K – 5; year-round for requests of less than $5,000, or August 1 and February 1 for $5,000 award level for 6 – 12.
American Honda Foundation
The well-known motor company boasts over $32 million awarded to date to schools and community organizations. It provides grants to individual schools or school districts as a whole in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 with a focus on supporting STEM programs.
Application Deadline: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
National Weather Association (NWA) Sol Hirsch Education Fund
These grants are awarded annually to educators of every school grade from elementary to high school who seek to teach students about meteorology. Applicants should propose a detailed plan for implementing an initiative that specifically promotes weather-related scientific education.
Application Deadline: Unspecified, with applications available in February.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation
STEM educators with a passion for space exploration can receive up to $250 in annual funding to launch their science curriculum. Teachers in kindergarten through twelfth grade classrooms may apply by submitting a proposal for how their students will benefit from aeronautical- or other science-themed learning programs.
Application Deadline: Mid-November
KLA-Tencor Foundation
This foundation provides direct funding or supplies to schools at a community level in support of increasing STEM students of all ages. Although it is not intended for one school to receive priority in funding over another, educators who are interested in impacting many schools in his or her community may apply.
Application Deadline: Year-round applications are accepted.
Shell Foundation
With a focus on promoting education for careers in technical industries, Shell supports elementary, middle and high school math and science programs. The company also awards funds to qualifying university-level science programs and vocational and technical schools.
Application Deadline: Unspecified
POST SECONDARY GRANTS FROM THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF) was created by Congress in 1950 as a federal agency in support of scientific advancement by providing funding and research opportunities to college and university students and teachers. The following grants are provided by the NSF and are related to career and education exploration in STEM areas.
Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE)
The primary goal of this program is to provide women pursuing an education in technical areas access to advanced technologies. It also aims to promote careers in STEM fields to women in order to increase diversity.
Application Deadline: Early October for letter of intent; Mid-January for full proposal.
Advanced Technological Education
This program specifically targets two-year colleges. Funds are intended to promote fostering partnerships between educational institutions and career opportunities in STEM markets, as well as passageways from these institutions to four-year universities.
Application Deadline: Early October for full proposal.
Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)
AGEP’s goal is to afford underserved groups the necessary tools for achieving success in STEM degrees at the graduate level and beyond. Some of the underrepresented groups it focuses on include minorities and those with physical or mental disabilities.
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Expansion Program
This program was designed to recruit more college-level students to follow a STEM career pathway. Educators with a plan to step up their school’s related programs are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: Early February
Grants aren’t the only option educators have for funding their tech-ed programs. There are many ways to fundraise within your community and beyond, and programs available to help guide you in your success as a technology teacher. The following resources provide useful information on other ways of receiving funds for STEM programs or learning how to become a well-rounded STEM educator.
Grants for Teachers
There are many regionally-focused awards available in support of STEM educators. This guide lists many of the grants available by category, grade level or state and includes deadlines and anticipated award amounts.
Funding Factory
Turn your school’s old ink and toner cartridges into cash to support your school! This organization allows you to mail in approved recyclables and receive different levels of funds in return. You can also involve your students by asking them to bring redeemable items from home.
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF)
This program invites high school STEM educators to continue their education by offering five-year fellowships with the goal of becoming a tech-teaching guru. If you are in the early years of your teaching career, this program’s mission is to provide you with a hands-on, technology-focused education you can share with your students.
Intel Teach Program US
The technology leader has worked with over 15 million teachers in 70 different countries to broaden their horizons in teaching STEM courses. The company provides online resources for teachers to use in the classroom to build a technological foundation for children of all ages.
DonorsChoose.org
Are you having trouble finding a grant that meets your needs, or difficulty in receiving an award for which you’ve applied? That’s why one teacher created DonorsChoose.org. This online community allows you to request a specific amount of money for whatever kind of learning you wish to bring to your classroom. Since its creation in 2000, over half a million teacher-created initiatives have been funded, with 1.75 million supporters from across the country.
Grants can provide opportunities that some educators and school districts may not otherwise have for advancing their team’s technology. With all of the resources available for funding your program, there’s no reason you should feel limited in your pursuits. Whatever idea you have on bringing new tech into the classroom, remember that just about every great scientific achievement came from someone with a simple idea – and a will to see it put into action.
Math Hero Award
Each year Raytheon recognizes up to 30 teachers as "Math Heroes" for their effective, innovative methods to promote student enthusiasm and achievement in math and science. Nominated by students, parents and school administrators, these middle and high school math and science teachers are honored for using interactive and creative learning approaches to make math real and relatable for their students. Each Math Hero receives a $2,500 award and a matching grant for his or her school. Winners are selected based on compelling submissions from nominators on the effective and creative ways teachers work with students in math and science, drawing on new and advanced approaches.
The Captain Planet Foundation
The Atlanta-based Captain Planet Foundation was co-founded by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle in 1991 and now chaired by his daughter Laura Turner Seydel. The Foundation supports high-quality, hands-on environmental stewardship projects that have enabled more than 1.1M youth across the U.S. and around the world make significant environmental improvements to their schools or communities. In addition to its Small Grants Program, CPF is installing hundreds of Learning Gardens in public schools in Atlanta, GA and Ventura, CA to introduce students to natural systems, food origins, life cycles and the flavors of fresh fruits and vegetables. The program provides teachers with training on outdoor classroom management, standards-based curriculum, and lesson kits – so students can learn math, science, history, language arts and health – in the context of project-based learning in the garden. CPF’s afterschool “Planeteer Clubs” help students implement programs that save schools money on energy, water, and waste, while implementing clean-air measures that reduce exposure to air pollution. And CPF is also involved in a variety of science education initiatives that exploit the intersections between technology, innovation, the environment and personal action.
See more at: http://captainplanetfoundation.org/about/#sthash.hfohavQ6.dpuf
Apply for a Small Grant All applicant organizations or sponsoring agencies must be exempt from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501, in order to be eligible for funding (this includes most schools and non-profit organizations). Deadlines: September 30th- typically for spring and summer projects January 31st- typically for fall and winter projects The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. International requests NOT being considered at this time. Grants are made for activities that conform to the mission of the Captain Planet Foundation and MUST have all four of the following to be considered for funding: Be project-based; Projects must be performed by youth; Projects must have real environmental outcomes; Be based in the United States. Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation are intended to: Provide hands-on environmental stewardship opportunities for youth; Serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based education in schools; Inspire youth and communities to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities. Captain Planet Foundation will accept small grant requests for amounts between $500 – $2,500. Preferential consideration is given to requests who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their projects. (Projects with matching funds or in-kind support are given priority because external funding is a good indicator of the potential for long-term sustainability of the activities). Captain Planet Foundation may choose to fund a portion of the project budget that best fits within the foundation guidelines or contact an applicant for further discussion.
See more at: http://captainplanetfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/#sthash.vqwIAjIy.dpuf
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation keeps music alive in our schools by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs, giving youngsters the many benefits of music education, helping them to be better students and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music. The Foundation receives hundreds of applications each year. Although we would like to help all who apply, our resources are limited and the process is very competitive. Music programs serving low-income communities, programs with little or no budget for musical instruments and programs that reflect strong teacher and student retention are considered before all others. We encourage you to seek funding from several sources in your community.Schools interested in being considered for a grant from The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation must participate in an online application process during our annual grant cycle. Applications are made available by invitation only through a Pre-Qualification process (see below for eligibility guidelines.) Please check back Summer 2016 for information regarding the next grant cycle. Please direct any questions regarding the application process to applicants@mhopus.org.
Target Field Trip Grants
Target stores award Field Trip Grants to K-12 schools nationwide. Each grant is valued up to $700. We accept grant applications between noon CST Aug. 1 and 11:59 p.m. CT Oct. 1.
Haley French-Sloan, a 2014 Fellowship Recipient from Lincoln on a fellowship to India, College of Education and Human Sciences and the Malaika Foundation.
The Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition
This program gives teachers the chance to experience first-hand the lessons they teach in the classroom. It will provide 15 teachers with a grant to travel overseas during their summer vacation. Through an essay submission, teachers will discuss cultural destinations they have always wanted to visit and explain how they would share the experiences from a trip there with their students. Thirty finalists will be selected by a panel of judges that will include education experts and teachers. Profiles of the 30 finalists will then be displayed on the Teacher Treks website, and the public can vote on their favorite candidates. The applicants with the most votes will win.
Website: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Hilton-Teacher-Treks-Program
Application Deadline: Mid-March
Eligibility: To be eligible for the program, each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a full-time, certified K-12 teacher living in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and have worked as a full time teacher in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for at least three years as of January 1st. Teachers of any subject are welcome to apply.
Funding: There will be thirty finalists who receive a $2,500 donation for their schools, and all applicants are entered into a sweepstakes to win a $1,500 donation for a classroom cultural excursion. Of these thirty finalists, fifteen winners will be chosen, and they will receive a grant valued at $6,000 to travel overseas during their summer vacation. In addition to the trip, each winning teachers' school will also receive a $2,500 donation to use for cultural activities or enhancements.
Program Time Frame: Summer term following application deadline.
Fulbright Hays Seminars Abroad
The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad program provides opportunities for overseas experience. The program is open to educators and administrators with responsibilities for curriculum development in fields related to humanities, languages, and area studies. All seminars are in non-western European countries. Seminars are designed to provide a broad and introductory cultural orientation to a particular country.
Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpssap
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: Must have at least three years of full-time experience, and must be currently employed full-time in a professional capacity in a U.S. school system, institution of higher education, local education agency (LEA), state education agency (SEA), library, or museum.
Funding: The award includes round-trip economy airfare, room and board, fees, and program-related travel within the host country.
Program Time Frame: Seminars are four to six weeks in duration and usually take place from late May to mid-August. All seminars are held in countries outside of Western Europe.
Transatlantic Outreach Program
The Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) uses Modern Germany as a basis of comparison and contrast to internationalize Social Studies curriculum, as well as to provide international exposure to Social Studies educators in the United States and Canada. TOP sends Social Studies educators to Germany every summer on study tours, exposing them to the government and education systems, large and small businesses, and various examples of culture. Upon completion of the study tour, educators return to the United States and Canada to write a unit of learning, as well as conduct two in-service training workshops.
Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/lp/prj/top/enindex.htm?wt_sc=top
Application deadline: Early February
Eligibility: The TOP Program does accept Social Studies methods professors and curriculum coordinators as eligible applicants.
Funding: TOP pays for most expenses through the generosity of its program partners. Support includes domestic and international transportation fees, hotel accommodation fees, two meals per day while abroad (usually breakfast and dinner), and any mandatory study tour related fees, such as museum entry fees, bicycle rental fees, etc.
Length of Program/Time Frame: The study tours are two weeks in length and take place during the summer months.
Global Exploration for Educators Organizations
GEEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting teachers to travel abroad and share their experiences with students upon return to the classroom. These trips are customized to include activities that will be particularly interesting to teachers, such as school visits. GEEO also arranges tours for private group trips (e.g. specific university departments) provided that there are at least 8 people.
Website: http://www.geeo.org
Application Deadline: There is no application process, and the trips are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Eligibility: Professors and university students who are studying to become educators are welcomed to participate.
Funding: Costs are paid for by the participants.
Time Frame/Length: Trips are 2-3 weeks in length and are limited to 10-16 teachers and their traveling companions.
East – West Center
AsiaPacificEd Programs for Schools
The East-West Center in Hawaii supports U.S.-Asia Pacific engagement by providing cross-cultural learning and exchange opportunities for teachers and students from the United States and the Asia-Pacific region. They host summer institutes, which are designed for undergraduate faculty (primarily in the humanities and social sciences) and are held at the East-West Center campus in Honolulu. Programs blend content-focused lectures with group discussions, film showings, and cultural events.
Website: www.asiapacificed.org
Time Frame/Length: Programs are 2- to 5-weeks in length
Keizai Koho Center
The Keizai Koho Center funds a ten-day tour of Japan for American educators and administrators with some experience in curriculum design. Participants study contemporary Japanese society and learn how to enhance their classroom teaching of global perspectives.
Website: http://www.us-japan.org/
Application deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: Faculty associated with 4 year colleges who are directly concerned with the training of K-12 teachers are eligible to apply.
Other Requirements: Participants must not have lived in Japan or visited the country on a similar fellowship.
Funding: The fellowship covers air transportation from the fellow's home city to Japan and return, as well as accommodations, transportation as called for by the itinerary, and some meals.
Time Frame/Length of Program: June-July
The Korea Society
Fellowship in Korean Studies
The Korea Society has fully-funded Korean Study fellowships available to American educators and professors, with preference given to those who demonstrate an ability to adapt to new cultural settings, as well as an ability to manage the physical and psychological demands of an intensive study abroad program. The fellowship is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Korea, while experiencing the Korean education system and interacting with Korean teachers.
Website: http://www.koreasociety.org
Application Deadline: Early February for Spring, April for Summer, Mid-August for Fall
Eligibility: Social studies professionals, including middle school and high school classroom teachers, administrators, and professors or instructors in schools of education are invited to apply.
Funding: The costs of round-trip international airfare, accommodations, meals, and program fees will be provided courtesy of the generous financial support of the Korea Foundation.
Time Frame/Length: March-April for Spring, June-July for Summer, October for Fall
For more volunteer opportunities and resource network please download the Global Opportunities document.