Federal Funding Opportunities
Magnet Schools Assistance
The MSAP provides grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) and consortia of LEAs to support magnet schools under an approved desegregation plan-–either a required plan or voluntary plan—that is adequate under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. By supporting the development and implementation of magnet schools that reduce, eliminate, or prevent minority group isolation, these program resources can be used in pursuit of the objectives of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), which supports State and local efforts to enable all elementary and secondary school students to achieve high standards and which holds schools, LEAs, and States accountable for ensuring that their students do so. In particular, the MSAP provides an opportunity for eligible entities to expand their capacity to provide public school choice to students who attend low-performing schools.
Deadline: LOI January 30, 2013, Proposals March 1, 2013
Grant Link:
Indian Education – Demonstration Grants for Indian Children
Demonstration Grants for Indian Children (CFDA 84.299A) is a competitive discretionary grant program that supports projects to develop, test and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve educational opportunities and achievement of Indian children. To meet the purposes of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, this program focuses project services on the following two absolute priorities which are from the program regulations at 34 CFR 263.21 (c)(1) and ( c)(3): (1) increasing school readiness skills of three and four year old American Indian and Alaska Native children to prepare them for successful entry into kindergarten; and (2) enabling American Indian and Alaska Native high school students to graduate and transition successfully to postsecondary education by increasing their competency and skills in challenging subjects, including mathematics and science.
Deadline: February 19, 2013
Grant Link:
Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program
The purpose of this program is to provide grants for eligible entities to develop high levels of academic attainment in English among English learners (ELs), and to promote parental and community participation in language instruction educational programs. Projects funded under the Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program, authorized under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), may support the teaching and studying of Native American languages, but must have, as a project objective, an increase in English language proficiency for participating students.
Deadline: February 1, 2013
Grant Link:
Improving Teaching, Enrollment, and Graduation
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program – Regular & STEAM Projects
The purpose of NIFA’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program is to encourage innovative teaching or education proposals with potential to impact and become models for other institutions that serve Hispanics, at the regional or national level. While research and extension activities may be included in a funded HSI Education project, the primary focus must be to improve teaching, enrollment, and graduation rates within a degree-granting program.
HSI Education projects should develop human capital relevant to overall program goals for U.S. agriculture. An education or teaching activity is formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the food and agricultural sciences and other related matters. For example, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies.
Priorities - In order to support the future workforce needs of the food and agriculture sector, the HSI Grants Program must align with NIFA priorities. NIFA has refocused its mission by directing agricultural sciences research, education, and extension programs to address the following five Priority Areas:
1. Global Food Security and Hunger;
2. Climate Change;
3. Sustainable Energy;
4. Childhood Obesity;
5. Food Safety
Deadline: February 11, 2013
Grant Link:
Featured Foundation Funding Opportunities
Early Childhood Education & Technology
The LEGO Children’s Fund
The LEGO Children’s Fund will provide quarterly grants for programs, either in part or in total, with a special interest paid to collaborative efforts and in providing matching funds to leverage new dollars into the receiving organization. We will give priority consideration to programs that both meet our goals and are supported in volunteer time and effort by our employees. The Foundation awards grants to qualified tax-exempt organizations (as determined under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code) including educational organizations as defined in USC 26 § 170 (C) with specific, identifiable needs primarily in the areas of 1. Early childhood education and development that is directly related to creativity and 2. Technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities. The LEGO Children’s Fund issues project grants, not general support grants. There are no restrictions on grant amounts up to the quarterly allocation. Typical awards, however are between USD $500 and USD $5,000.
Deadline:January 15, 2013
Grant Link:
Education - Open
Bank of America
At Bank of America, supporting educational initiatives in the communities where the company operates is as critical to the success of those communities as it is to the company. Education, more than any other cause or social service directly affects all aspects of economic prosperity and quality of life in every community. Bank of America communities, its citizens and the company all benefit from an educational system that sets high standards and outcomes in academic achievement. As a result, Bank of America supports education initiatives through the company's charitable giving arm, the Bank of America Foundation. Bank of America Foundation supports effective, broad-based, inclusive programs that serve a diverse population through local market-based educational efforts.
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Link:
Education – Open
JP Morgan Chase
Bank One Corporate Contributions philosophy is to "think globally but act locally." While contributions strategy and policy are determined on a centralized basis for the entire corporation, contribution decisions and implementation are carried out autonomously at the local level. This ensures that decisions are responsive to both local needs and opportunities. Central to their history and culture is the principle of working to improve the communities they serve. To maximize the impact of their contributions, they concentrate on issues where they, as a financial services institution, can build capacity and have the greatest long-term effect, particularly in the areas of Community Development, Civic Leadership and the Arts, Education and Human Services. Grant sizes vary.
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Link:
Education - Open
Boeing Company
The Boeing Company believes that the health of a community is measured by the well-being of all its citizens. They recognize the importance of supporting basic needs as fundamental to the health of the community. They are further committed to helping communities move toward long-term well-being and self-sufficiency by addressing larger, underlying issues. Through focused programmatic opportunities, leadership, and collaboration, the Boeing Company will support current basic needs of the community, providing resources for nutritious food, clothing consistent with the climate, protective shelter with reasonable comfort and safety, and access to emergency medical treatment; and promote long-term well-being and self-sufficiency, supporting areas such as mentoring, economic independence, physical independence, and nutrition and fitness. The company contributions program welcomes applications in five major areas: education, health and human services, arts and culture, civic and environment. Boeing accepts applications for not only cash grants (see guidelines below for each area), but also for in-kind donations and services. Requests submitted after October each year are not considered until January of the following year.
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Link:
Education – Open
The Bradley Foundation
The Bradley Foundation is a private, independent grant-making organization based in Milwaukee. Its grants support research and educational projects, programs, and other activities that effectively further the Bradley brothers' philanthropic intent and honor their legacy. Bradley does not provide support for unspecified and undetailed overhead costs. No funds will be authorized for fees payable to fundraising counsel. Funding for endowments or deficit financing will be considered only under special conditions. The Foundation will: normally award grants only to organizations and institutions exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and publicly supported under Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3); favor projects that are not normally financed by public tax funds; consider requests from religious organizations and institutions only when the resulting impact of the project is not primarily denominational; and, consider requests for building projects on rare occasions and, in such cases, grants will be limited to only a small fraction of the total project cost. Up to four Prizes of $250,000 each are awarded annually to innovative thinkers and practitioners whose achievements strengthen the legacy of the Bradley brothers and the ideas to which they were committed.
Deadline:Ongoing
Grant Link:
Youth Community Service Projects
Disney Friends for Change Grants
Administered by Youth Service America, the Disney Friends for Change grants program is designed to help young people in the United States make lasting, positive change in the world. The program will support community-service projects that highlight the creativity and commitment of young people working to meet the needs of others. Grants of $1,000 will be awarded for youth-led service projects that demonstrate youth leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive community impact. Service projects can be in any field, including the environment, human services, the arts, and athletics. Youth between the ages of 5 and 18 in all fifty states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Applications are due by midnight February 10, 2013.
Grant Link:
Education - Open
Dr. Scholl Foundation
The Dr. Scholl Foundation was established by William M. Scholl, M.D., in 1947. It is a private, independent, grantmaking foundation created from the success of the business he founded, the Scholl Manufacturing Company. Applications for grants are considered in the following areas: education, social service, healthcare, civic and cultural, and environmental. Grants are considered on an annual basis.
Deadline: Applications are accepted between November 1 and March 1, 2013.
Grant Link:
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
The annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge invites teams of students and their adult advisors to tackle local (K-5), regional (6-8), and global (9-12) environmental problems or issues and find replicable green solutions. Now entering its fifth year, the challenge is a collaborative effort of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association, and the College Board. The program invites entries from students and team advisors (who must be full- or part-time school employees) in the United States. A panel of environmental experts and science educators will judge teams based on their research, analysis, and the potential of their solution to be replicated on a larger scale. High school students are specifically challenged to address energy, biodiversity, land management, water conservation and cleanup, or air and climate. Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level, include scholarships, savings bonds, school grants, adventure trips, school assemblies, and more. This year's challenge will award prizes totaling more than $300,000.
Deadline: March 5, 2013
Grant Link:
Youth Sports/Baseball
Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF)
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA.) The fund awards grants to organizations involved in the operation of youth baseball and softball programs and facilities. Grants must: increase youth participation in sports; improve the quality of sports programs; create new or innovative ways of expanding and improving sports programs; generate matching funds; and provide sports programs for children ages 10-16. BTF awards grants on a quarterly basis. The fund awards an average of 45 grants per year averaging more than $1.5 million annually.
Deadline: April 1 and July 1, 2013 are the deadlines.
Grant Link:
Teacher Grants – Classroom Projects
ING Unsung Heroes
Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. For more than 15 years, and with nearly $3.8 million in awarded grants, ING Unsung Heroes has proven to be an A+ program with educators. The program’s “alumni” have inspired success in the classroom and impacted countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. Applications for the 2013 awards are now available.
Deadline: April 30, 2013
Grant Link:
STEM Education
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Competition
The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision science competition encourages K – 12 students to imagine what technology might be like in the future. ExploraVision helps teacher sponsors meet many of the National Science Education Standards while letting students experience scientific process and discovery in an engaging, hands-on way. Let’s empower the next generation of inventors, scientists and leaders. K-12 student-led teams and schools are eligible to apply. Eight winners will be awarded grants of up to $10,000 each.
Deadline: January 31, 2013
Grant Link:
Ongoing Grant Opportunities Featured Previously
STEM Education and Environment
S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation
The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation supports select nonprofit organizations and initiatives that address critical opportunities in the areas of STEM Education, Environment, Character Development & Citizenship, and Health. A Letter of Inquiry may be submitted to the Foundation for review by a program officer. Program staff will follow up to invite a full proposal if they determine that the proposed project demonstrates the potential to advance the Foundation’s specific program area objectives. Full proposals are accepted only after an organization has submitted a Letter of Inquiry for review by a program officer and received an invitation to send a full proposal.
Deadline: Rolling (LOI Required)
Grant Link:
Response to Intervention – Literacy Grant (Special Ed. and English Language Learners)
EPS Response to Intervention (RTI) Grant
The RTI model for providing support, instruction and assessment for learners at all ability levels aligns with current federal legislation, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act that urges schools to focus on ensuring all students are on the path to success by addressing difficulties early and individually.EPS/School Specialty's Literacy and Intervention division is pleased to announce a new grant program designed to assist school districts in the development and improvement of their Response to Intervention (RTI) programs. Recognizing the power of RTI to ensure that all students are successful, EPS/School Specialty has developed this grant program to support districts in their efforts to narrow the achievement gap.
Deadline: Rolling
Grant Link:
Community Outreach Initiatives/Education
ING Foundation Grants
The ING Foundation supports:
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations providing unique programming and/or community outreach initiatives directed toward our primary areas of focus;
1. Financial Literacy
2. Children’s Education
3. Diversity
4. Environmental Sustainability
- Broad, strategic partnership opportunities that leverage our commitment to empowerment and focus on improving the lives of individuals in underserved communities across the country; and
- Smaller, local programs and initiatives in key markets where our employees and customers work and live, including where we have a large corporate presence.
Deadline: Quarterly
Grant Link:
Teaching and Learning - Math, Science, and Environmental Science
Toyota U.S.A. Foundation K‐12 Education Grants
The Toyota USA Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of K‐12 education by supporting innovative programs and building partnerships with organizations dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and environmental science.
A high priority is placed on the following:
- Creative and innovative programs which develop the potential of students and/or teachers;
- Programs which are broad in scope and incorporate systemic approach; and,
- Cost‐effective programs that possess a high potential for success with relatively low duplication of effort.
Deadline: Open
Maximum Grant: $200,000
Grant Link:
School Reform Initiatives/ Teacher Professional Development
Braitmayer Foundation
The Braitmayer Foundation is interested in K-12 education throughout the United States. Of particular interest are: curricular and school reform initiatives; and preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those which encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. The Foundation is pleased to have its grants used anywhere in the United States as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organizations. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, multi year grants, nor grants for general operating, endowment purposes or building programs. Unless a small percentage of the total amount requested, normally the Foundation does not make grants for childcare, pre-kindergarten, or after school programs nor for equipment including hardware, software, and books. Presently, the Foundation has two mechanisms for making grants depending upon their size. For grants up to $35,000, applicants should submit a two page Letter of Inquiry describing the proposed project, proposed budget, and proof of 501 (c)(3) status or other tax-exempt ruling letter to the Foundation office by June 1st. By September 1st, the trustees will invite selected organizations to submit full proposals due November 15th. For grants up to $10,000, applicants should submit a three page proposal describing the proposed project, proposed budget, and proof of 501 (c)(3) status or other tax-exempt ruling letter to the Foundation office by June 1st or November 15th. Decisions will be announced by September 1st and March 15th.