[Classroom Funding] 18 Grants California Educators Should Apply For
[Classroom Funding] 18 Grants California Educators Should Apply For
Like so many educators across the country, teachers and administrators in California are no stranger to dipping into their own checking accounts to fund their schools and classrooms. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Department of Education survey, 94% of teachers spend their own money—without reimbursement—on day-to-day classroom supplies. On average, the total bill came to $479 dollars for a school year, but some teachers reported spending upward of $1,000 on their classroom.
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 California 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 California Educators
School Breakfast and Summer Meal Grants
Applications Due: November 29, 2019
The California State Legislature grants up to $15,000 per school site for School Breakfast Programs (SBPs) and Summer Meal Programs (SMPs). The following types of grants are available: start-up grants and expansion grants.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation Excursion Grants
Applications Due: Ongoing
This ongoing grant is for low-income public school teachers for grades K–5 in Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties to fund one-day classroom excursions. Grants of up to $1,000 can cover the cost of transportation, admission fees, and food.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation Mathematics Resource Grants
Applications Due: Ongoing
This ongoing grant is for infant, toddler, and preschool teachers in programs serving low-income families and public school teachers of grades TK–3 in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Grants of up to $500 are available to fund books, materials, software, manipulatives, and professional development related to mathematics.
National Grants for Classroom Supplies and Enrichment
Applications Due: October 1 each year
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.
The NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants
Applications Due: October 15, 2018; February 1, 2019; and June 1, 2019
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 Community Grant Program
Applications Due: December 31, 2018
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 afterschool enrichment programs as well as tutoring for low-income students.
Applications Due: April 2019
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.
ILA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant
Applications Due: March 15, 2019
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.
Georgia-Pacific Foundation Education Grants
Applications Due: Ongoing
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
Applications Due: October 15, 2018; February 1, 2019; and June 1, 2019
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 Due: January 4, 2019
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 Due: April 15, 2019 (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 3, 2019
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 K–5
Applications Due: October 1
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 Due: April 15, 2019
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.
Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades 6–12
Two Application Deadlines for Grants Greater than $5,000: November 1, 2018, and May 1, 2019
Four Application Deadlines for Grants Less than $5,000: December 1, 2018; March 1, 2019; June 1, 2019; and September 1, 2019
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.
Applications Due: May 3, 2019
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.
Applications Due: To Be Determined
This grant from Lowe’s is intended to support communities by funding STEM and technology initiatives for schools and districts, including technology upgrades like new devices, as well as facility renovations and safety improvements. The grant awards $2,000 to $5,000 in funding per school.
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 September 2018 but are subject to change. Always check specific grant websites for the most up-to-date and accurate application information.
