15 Educator Grants for Classroom Enrichment, Professional Development, and STEM with Resources to Get You Started

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Educators should never have to choose between providing the basic classroom materials that students need (or giving exciting new instructional ideas a try) and keeping their own finances in order. So, what’s the best solution when district and school budgets are tight? Try applying for a grant!

Grants can be publicly or privately funded, and they offer money to be used for usually specific purposes that does NOT need to be repaid. Luckily, there is no shortage of grants available for educators. Here, we’ve compiled a wide-ranging list of some of the best grants out there for educators organized by intended purpose.*

Grants for Classroom Supplies and Enrichment

Walmart Community Grant Program

Applications due December 31, 2019

Walmart awards annual grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 to a wide variety of community-focused organizations, including K–12 schools.

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants

Applications available on February 27, 2020; applications typically due in May

These grants are awarded to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations with the goal of helping students who are reading below grade level or are having trouble reading. They are intended to support literacy program implementation or expansion and to fund purchasing literacy program supplies, including new technology.

Snapdragon Book Foundation

Applications available in November 2019; applications due in February 2020

The Snapdragon Book Foundation offers an outstanding grant to help provide books for pre-K through 12th grade schools and libraries that serve disadvantaged students. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000.

NEA Foundation Student Success Grants

Applications due on February 1, 2020, and June 1, 2020

This grant is available to current members of the National Education Association (NEA), and it supports in-classroom initiatives with the aim of improving student outcomes. The award can fund resources, technology, experiences, and other materials specifically for students. This grant is offered at two levels of funding—either $2,000 or $5,000.

ILA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant

Applications due on March 15, 2020

This grant from the International Literacy Association (ILA) is intended to recognize outstanding teaching at the K–8 level for economically disadvantaged students. The grant is awarded in the amount of $2,500 to a classroom teacher to improve and enrich reading and writing across the curriculum.

Grants for Professional Development

This blog post highlights six grants developed to provide amazing opportunities for you to grow in your craft. Read the full post to see more information on grants from the following organizations:

Grants for STEM Initiatives

Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades K–5

Applications Due: October 1, 2020

The Toshiba America Foundation offers a grant to support math and science instruction at the K–5 level. Educators with innovative teaching ideas, specifically project-based learning proposals, can be awarded up to $1,000 through this grant.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades 6–12

Two Application Deadlines for Grants Greater than $5,000: November 1, 2019, and May 1, 2020

Four Application Deadlines for Grants Less than $5,000: December 1, 2019;

March 1, 2020; June 1, 2020; and September 1, 2020

This grant from the Toshiba America Foundation supports a broad range of projects with the aim of making science and mathematics learning more engaging for students. At the grade 6–12 level, grant proposals are placed into two different funding level categories—requests under $5,000 and requests greater than $5,000.

ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant

Applications open February 1, 2020; applications are due April 15, 2020

This grant from ACS is intended to fund ideas and instructional approaches to support chemistry learning in the high school classroom. Teachers can request up to $1,500 for their ideas to engage students in learning and help them develop a love of chemistry.

NCTM Enhancing Student Mathematics Learning Through the Use of Tools and Technology Grants (Pre-K–12)

Applications Due: May 1, 2020

The NCTM offers this grant to promote innovative uses of technology to enhance math instruction in the classroom. Funding can cover costs of devices, as well as professional development related to their use, and awards may be as much as $3,000.

Need some additional resources to aid you in the grant application process? We’ve compiled a few of our best resources to get you started!

*Many of these grants are awarded annually. Grant awards and due dates are as accurate as possible as of October 2019 but are subject to change. Always check specific grant websites for the most up-to-date and accurate application information.

Classroom Management