[Classroom Funding] 17 Grants for Minnesota Educators
[Classroom Funding] 17 Grants for Minnesota Educators
This blog post was originally published in October 2018. It has been updated as of October 2019 to reflect the most up-to-date application information.
We know that most educators often resort to digging into their own pockets—without reimbursement in many cases—to fund their classroom initiatives. On average, according to a recent U.S. Department of Education survey, teachers spend around $479 per school year on classroom supplies, with some teachers even reporting upward of $1,000 spent on their own classrooms.
So, what’s the best solution when district and school budgets are tight? Try applying for a grant! We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of grant programs that all Minnesota educators should be aware of, including state-specific programs and national awards offered by corporations, professional societies, and nonprofit organizations—all organized by category and application due date.*
Grants for Minnesota Educators
Applications Open: November 1 – December 1 annually
These grants are open to Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations. The Shavlik Family Foundation seeks to provide opportunities to remove barriers to information and access to technology, so projects must involve ideas for innovative program initiatives or operating needs utilizing technology. This foundation awards approximately 15 to 20 grants a year and considers requests ranging from $1,000 to $30,000.
Applications Due: February 1 and August 1 Annually
This grant is open to organizations in Minneapolis (excluding suburbs and St. Paul). The Carolyn Foundation funds programs that encourage low-income, middle school students to attend high-performing/high-potential schools in Minneapolis and provide support programs during and after school. Programs must be developmentally appropriate, culturally aware, and research-based (or based on best practices). Recently, grants have ranged from $10,000 to $25,000.
U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible Grants
Applications Open: January 1 – 31, April 1 – 30, and July 1 – 31 Annually
These grants are open to organizations in areas including Minnesota that support their three key economic development issues of Work, Home, and Play. Grants are considered on a case-by-case basis with three separate annual funding cycles for each area of focus.
National Grants for Classroom Supplies and Enrichment
The NEA Foundation Student Success Grants
Three Application Deadlines: February 1, June 1, and October 15 Annually
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.
Walmart Local Community Grants
Applications Open: February 15 - December 31 Annually
Walmart awards annual grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 to a wide variety of community-focused organizations, including K–12 schools. Grants for education are intended to fund after-school enrichment programs, as well as tutoring for low-income students.
ILA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant
Applications Due: March 15 Annually
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.
Applications Open: November - February Annually
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.
Applications Due: October 1 Annually
The opportunity to get out of the classroom can often lead to some incredible learning. To help make these hands-on, real-world experiences possible, Target provides grants in the amount of $700 to support field trips for K–12 students.
Georgia-Pacific Foundation Education Grants
Applications Due: Ongoing (Submission by October 31 Annually Encouraged)
This foundation was established in 1958 to improve life in communities, including funding grants. The foundation supports a variety of results-driven educational programs, including ones that boost literacy, get public school students interested in STEM, and train teachers so that they can take their skills to the next level. The foundation also provides funds for basics like books and grants college scholarships to students who are ready to move on to higher education.
National Grants for Professional Development
The NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants
Three Application Deadlines: February 1, June 1, and October 15 Annually
This grant is available to current members of the NEA and is intended to help fund learning experiences for educators to develop and improve their professional practice with participation in conferences, summer institutes, research, mentoring experiences, and more, with preference being given to proposals that incorporate STEM or global competence. Like NEA’s Student Achievement Grants, this award is also offered at two levels of funding—either $2,000 or $5,000.
ACS-Hach Professional Development Grant
Applications Open: October 15 - January 4 Annually
The ACS-Hach Professional Development Grant is administered by the American Chemical Society and intended specifically to support high school chemistry teachers in accessing opportunities to further their training, such as conferences or professional courses. Applicants can request as much as $1,500 in grant funding.
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grants
Applications Open: January 15 - April 15 Annually (or when 350 applications have been received)
These grants support the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation’s belief in the value of continuous learning, training, and growth for educators. Awards fund small groups of teachers in the development and implementation of forward-thinking instructional approaches in K–12 instruction and offer as much as $10,000 per year for up to three years.
NCTM School In-Service Training Grants Pre-K–5 (Also 6–8 and 9–12)
Applications Due: May 1, 2020
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) offers grants exclusively for training related to mathematics instruction, which can involve consultant fees, conferences, training materials, and more. The NCTM offers separate grants for grades pre-K–5, 6–8, and 9–12, each with a maximum award of $4,000 per school.
National Grants for STEM Initiatives
Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades 6–12
Two Application Deadlines for Grants Greater than $5,000: May 1 and November 1 Annually
Four Application Deadlines for Grants Less than $5,000: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 Annually
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 in to two different funding level categories—requests under $5,000 and requests greater than $5,000.
Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades K–5
Applications Due: October 1 Annually
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.
ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant
Applications Open: February 1, 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.
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.
Looking for a little guidance to get started on your grant applications? Check out this blog post for 4 Tips to Take the Stress Out of Grant Applications!
*Many of these grants are awarded annually. 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.
