[Classroom Funding] 19 Grants Michigan Educators Should Apply For
[Classroom Funding] 19 Grants Michigan Educators Should Apply For
This blog post was originally published in September 2018. It has been updated as of October 2019 to reflect the most up-to-date application information.
Michigan educators are no stranger to dipping into their own checking accounts to fund their 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 some of the best grants out there for Michigan educators—including state-specific programs, as well as national awards offered by corporations, professional societies, and nonprofit organizations—all organized by application due date*.
Fall Application Due Date
Applications Open: August 1 - 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.
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.
General Motors Corporate Grants
Applications Due: September 30 Annually
General Motors (GM) funds various community initiatives, including STEM education, prioritizing geographic areas where the company operates. GM evaluates each proposal on a case-by-case basis and does not limit the amount of funding that may be made available.
Winter Application Due Date
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.
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.
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants
Applications Open: February 27, 2020
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.
American Electric Power Teacher Vision Grants
Applications Due: 4th Friday in February Annually
This grant from American Electric Power (AEP) helps teachers fund innovative classroom initiatives, with a particular focus on STEM-related projects. Awards range between $100 and $500 dollars, and they are open to all pre-K through 12th grade teachers in AEP service areas.
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.
Spring Application Due Date
Applications Open: November - February Annually
The Snapdragon Book Foundation offers funding 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.
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.
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.
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.
Multiple Application Cycles
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.
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.
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.
Two Application Periods: February 15 to April 1 and August 15 to October 1 Annually
This grant is intended to support non-profit and municipal agencies in geographic areas where Dow Chemical operates to support long-term, sustainable benefits for community members. Funding of up to $15,000 is offered and must work towards goals including science awareness, job development, creation or expansion of community facilities, and expansion of services for disadvantaged populations.
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.
