September2015 Grant Opportunities
FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS
DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation Half-Match for Team Sports
Deadline: Ends Fall 2015-2016 School Year
The Foundation has teamed up with Sports Matters and DonorsChoose to fund team sports. To apply: 1) check with the coaching staff to see what they need; 2) make an account or log on to create a new sports team project; 3) request up $2,000 in materials/equipment or up to $1,200 for funding experiences such as transportation lodging, registration or facility rental. Multiple team projects can be posted. Each week, a project will be hand-selected for this opportunity. Full-time teachers are eligible to apply. For part-time coaches, please apply with an eligible teacher. For more details, including team sports being supported:
Charlie Lovett Fund for Elementary Drama
Deadline: Rolling basis beginning in August of each school year
Supports production based theatre arts programs at the elementary school level. Average grant size is $300. If your application is received after the funds are exhausted that year, you will be invited to reapply for the following year.
Pure Reckless Clothing Fashion Show Essay Contest
Deadline: Essays will be accepted from September 10th, 2015 until December 10th, 2015
Write a short essay to tell us why we should take our fashion show to your high school. The winning essay will receive free clothing worth $250, plus each participant in the fashion show will also receive free clothing estimated at $165. All together this competition will give approximately $1,250 in clothing plus you will also be eligible to win our yearly 5% scholarship. Our 5% scholarship is a donation of 5% of our annual profits during September until March given every year to the winning school.Online Voting will begin December 15th, 2015 until March 15th, 2015. Winner will be displayed on March 16th, 2015 and is based on MOST VOTES RECEIVED.
Autism Speaks Local Grants
Deadline: Open now September 28, 2015
These are one-time program grants of up to $5,000 for all service providers, both for-profit and non-profit.
This opportunity will fund: education/training, recreation and community activities, young adult/adult services, and equipment/supportive technology. Check out the link for the webinar, and FAQs (which has the direct link for the application.)
Target Field Trip Grants Program
Deadline: applications accepted from August 1 to September 30, 2015
Field Trip Grants are awarded to K-12 schools nationwide. Many SDP schools have received this grant in the past. Grants are valued at $700 each.Funds may be used for trip-related expenses such as transportation costs, ticket fees, food, resources materials and supplies. Trips are to be taken between January – June 2016. Applications are completed online.
American Forest Foundation’s Project Learning Tree
Deadline: September 30, 2015
PLT offers grants for service-learning projects that improve schools or restore natural habitats. This year, grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $1,000. Applicants must have attended or be registered to attend an in-person or online PLT workshop at the time of the application deadline.
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
Deadline: August – October 16, 2015; portal will close when 1,550 applications are submitted
Each year $5 million is made available to schools and parent groups. Grant awards range between $2,000 - $5,000 per school. There is a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancements (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean up type projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. In addition, the 2015-2016 Grant Application Update: “…we are challenging ourselves to seek ways to provide tools that help our educators and parent groups through today’s challenging times efficiently, while providing the greatest impact, with basic necessities taking priority.” Please check out the website for sample projects, FAQs, and the application.
Letters to Lowe’s Campaign
Deadline: Applications accepted now through October 2, 2015
A grant program that makes available $25,000 each to four public K-12 schools. Students are encouraged to work with their teachers to submit online letters and photos detailing how a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant can help improve their school. Lowe’s will narrow the selection to 10 finalist schools and then invite friends, family and supporters to vote for the top four. We will then announce the final four recipients of the $25,000 grants and bring these ideas to life with the help of our Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest
Deadline: Opensin September and closes October 31, 2015
A nationwide STEM competition to win a share of $2 million in technology for your school. All public school teachers are eligible to apply.
Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grants Program
Application Opens: September 1, 2015 and closes October 31, 2015
This is a giving effort of Whole Foods Market and FoodCorps. These grants help students’ relationship with food through gardening. Last year, the foundation distributed about 1,000 garden grants. Apply for up to $2,000 for your project. Garden projects may be at any stage of development (planning, construction or operation.) Priority is given to both limited-resource communities and to projects that demonstrate strong buy-in from stakeholders as well as the ability to financially sustain the garden.
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation
Deadline: Pre-proposal due September 13, 2015
For the development or implementation of environmental curricula which must include field activities, classroom teaching, basic ecological principles and problem solving. Maximum award is $1,500.
Green Thumb Challenge Grant
Deadline: September 30, 2015
The Green Education Foundation and Gardener’s Supply Company are providing grants for established youth garden projects. The $250 prize is for schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden projects. The prize is for the sustainability of a current garden project.
Kids in Need Teacher Grants
Deadline: September 30, 2015
Visit the website of the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) for PreK-12 teacher grant opportunities from:
- Elmers: Select a project from more than 1,400 winning project ideas and apply for funding of up to $500. Special consideration given to first year teachers.
- Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: Register for the Teacher Rewards Program, then apply for up to $500 to fund projects that make creative use of common teaching aids, approach curriculum from an imaginative angle, or tie nontraditional concepts together for the purpose of illustrating commonalities. Innovation and merit account for 40% of the evaluation.
- Dollar General Literacy Foundation: apply for up to $500 for creative classroom projects that improve the literacy of PreK-12 students.
Visit the website for more information.
Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries
Deadline: Opens in October and closes in December
School librariansmay apply on apply on behalf of their schools for $7,000 to add and update book and media collections. Last year, Childs Elementary won a grant for their library. Visit the website for more information.
The Donald Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant and The Herb Society of America
Deadline: October 1, 2015
This opportunity is for 3rd-6th grade classroom teachers. The Herb Society will award indoor window sill herb garden kits to (4) schools each year including educational materials. The Herb Society will also award (5) schools/classrooms to receive $200 as “seed money” to establish an outdoor herb garden. The funds may be used for soil, plant trays and child-sized tools. The Herb Society will provide seeds and educational materials.
Katie’s Krops
Deadline: Grant application opens October 1 and closes December 31, 2015
This is an opportunity to start and maintain a vegetable garden and donate the harvest to people in need. A child or a group of children can apply for a gift card to be used at a garden center of their choice and digital camera to document the garden and the harvest.
Toshiba America Foundation, Grants for K-5
Deadline: October 1, 2015
Do you teach in an elementary school? Do you have an innovative idea for improving math or science instruction in your classroom? Is your idea project-based learning with measurable outcomes? Apply on-line for a $1,000 grant.
National Art Education Foundation (NAEF)
Deadline: October 1, 2015
NAEF offers grant opportunities to its members.
- Ruth Halvorsen Professional Development Grants (up to $2,500). NAEF invites proposals for scholarships that promote NAEA’s efforts to initiate and encourage the understanding and implementation of the goals for student learning via the National Visual Arts Standards
- May McMullan Grants (up to $2,500). For the support of projects that promote art education as an integral part of the curriculum; to establish and/or improve the instruction of art in public and private elementary and secondary schools. The following areas of classroom-based action research will be considered for funding: 1) curriculum models, 2) pilot projects, and 3) policy models.
- SHIP Grants (up to $500). Annual grants are awarded to selected art educators whose proposals seek art equipment to enable the art educator to improve the teaching of art and which are used to focus on student learning specifically related to the National Visual Arts Standards.
- Teacher Incentive Grants (up to $2,500). For the support of projects that promote the improvement of the teaching of art. Teaching of art includes, but is not limited to: classroom-based action research in the following areas: the instructional process; curriculum; student learning; student assessment; classroom behavior, management, or discipline; or other practices relating to instructional interaction and the achievement of student learning.
Visit the website for more details including past winners and their projects.
Pennsylvania Dept. of EnvironmentalProtection (DEP) Education Grants
Deadline: Opens in October/November, ends in December
Schools are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 for environmental education. Funded projects include but are not limited to: outdoor resource projects, environmental literacy planning and programming and field trips. Instructions for 2016 have not been published but review the website for more details.
PhilaSoup
Event: October 4, 2015 “Grades and Grants”
Location: Franny Lou’s Porch in Kensington
Enjoy coffee on us and get some grading done! Plus learn how to submit a proposal for one of our micro-grants.
Road Runners Club of America, Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund
Deadline: October 1, 2015
Elementary and middle schools, nonprofits, PTAs or similar groups, can apply for $500 - $1,000 for an existing or start-up afterschool running club. Funds may be used including but not limited to: marketing materials, hosting a website, purchase hydration supplies, and participation awards. See the website for more details.
Student Achievement Grants, NEA Foundation
Deadline: October 15, 2015
The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepens their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, technology, and transportation. Grant amounts are $2,000 or $5,000. K-12 educators with less than seven years of experience in the profession are encouraged to apply.
- Learning and Leadership Grants, NEA Foundation
Deadline: October 15, 2015
ForPreK-12 teacher participation in high-quality professional development experiences such as summer institutes, conferences or action research. Grant awards are $2,000 for individual teachers and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. See the website for additional information and the application.
Wild Ones Institute of Learning and Development
Deadline: October 15, 2015
Wild Ones is looking for projects that are age-appropriate and engage youth, the creation of an ecosystem based on native plants and which focuses on hands-on educational activities. Funding is available for seeds, plants and in-kind donations from partner nurseries. Request up to $500. Examples of projects include: a wildflower garden featuring nectar and larval plants for butterflies and a grove of native shrubs and trees that provide food and shelter for songbirds. Schools, nature centers and nonprofits that focus on educating elementary through high school students are eligible to apply.
National Young Arts Foundation
Deadline: October 16, 2015
YoungArts selects 800 young artists between the ages of 15-18 or in grades 10-12 from ten different disciplines to participate in National YoungArts Week. The Week includes master classes, opportunity to perform and exhibit in prestigious venues, win cash awards up to $10,000, access scholarship opportunities and become eligible for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Review the website for more information.
GRAMMY Signature Schools
Deadline: October 22, 2015
These awards are given to high school music programs that are keeping music programs alive and well despite budgets and school politics. Each school gets a GRAMMY Award and a cash prize of up to $10,000. Schools compete in different categories based on excellence or need. Last year, Girard Academic Music Program won this award.
National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL)
Deadline: November 1, 2015
Amateur radio is also known as ham radio. ARRL provides equipment grants valued at $1,500 to public schools. Requirements include school personnel operating equipment must be a licensed Amateur Radio operator, use of amateur radio as an enrichment program, as part of a unit of curriculum or as a club activity and actively seek ongoing funding for the program.
Fuel Up to Play 60
Deadline: November 4, 2015
The National Dairy Council and the NFL Players Association have teamed up to offer grants to help schools sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity programs. Receive up to $4,000 per year, per school. Only schools can apply, not individuals.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Deadline: November 6, 2015
NCTM offers a number of grants for mathematics teachers who are current full members or e-members of the organization. These grants are for the 2016-2017 school year. No person may receive more than one award in the same academic year. Below is a listing of NCTM grants.
- Using Music to Teach Mathematics Grants (Grades PreK-2). Grants of up to $3,000 are provided to classroom teachers currently working at the PreK-2 level for projects and activities that use music to teach mathematical skills and concepts.
- Improving Student’s Understanding of Geometry Grants (Grades PreK-8). Grants of up to $4,000 are awarded to PreK-8 teachers to develop a project or activities that enable students to better appreciate and understand some aspect of geometry consistent with NCTM Principles and Standards.
- Mathematics Graduate Course Work Scholarships for Teachers (GradesPreK-5, 6-8, 9-12). Scholarships of up to $2,000 are provided to classroom teachers to pursue courses to improve their mathematics content knowledge.
- Teacher Professional Development Grants (Grades PreK-5, 6-8, 9-12). Grants of up to $3,000 are provided to classroom teachers to improve their own professional competence as classroom teachers of mathematics.
- PreK-6 Classroom Research Grants (PreK-6). Grants of up to $6,000 are awarded to support and encourage classroom-based research in precollege mathematics education in collaboration with university mathematics educators. Topics may include but are not limited to: curriculum development and implementation, involvement of at-risk or minority students, connection of mathematics to other disciplines.
- Emerging Teacher-Leaders in Elementary School Mathematics Grants (PreK-5). Maximum grant amount is $6,000 with the desired outcome of the funded project is the development of an elementary school mathematics teacher with mathematics content expertise. Grant recipient is expected to provide ongoing professional development to teachers within the school or district.
- Mathematics Study Grants (Grades 6-8). Grants with a maximum of $6,000 will be awarded to classroom teachers to improve their understanding of mathematics by completing coursework in mathematics content.
- Equity in Mathematics Grants (Grades 6-8). Grants of up to $8,000 are provided to classroom teachers to incorporate middle school classroom materials or lessons that will improve the achievement of groups of students who have previous records of underachievement.
- Classroom Research Grants for Teachers (Grades 7-12). Grants of up to $6,000 are provided to support collaborative classroom-based action research in precollege mathematics education involving university mathematics educators.
- Connecting Mathematics to Other Subject Areas (Grades 9-12). Grades of up to $4,000 are provided to develop classroom materials or lessons connecting mathematics to other disciplines or careers.
Review the NCTM website for more details.
PhilaSoup
Event: November 8, 2015
Location: Oxford Mills
Join us for our first Soup dinner of the season in Kensington. Participants come together for a simple supper. Everyone buys a ticket ($10 each or 2 for $15), which are part of the grant funds for the night. PhilaSoup will also match a portion of the ticket sales to increase these grant funds. During the meal, educators present their ideas for projects. At the end of the presentations, everyone votes for the project they would like to give the largest portion of funds to. Every teacher will receive a percentage of the grant funds.
SCA Environmental Grants
Deadline: November 15, 2015
SCA, a leading global hygiene and forest products company with operations in Philadelphia, is accepting applications for sustainability projects and curricula from schools. Projects should focus on launching a sustainability or environmental-focused project; teach problem solving and critical thinking and inspire the next generation to be sustainable. Apply for up to $5,000 for your project. Last year, 15 grants were awarded to schools across the country, including Penn Alexander. The online application is available now.
Bauder Fund Small Grants Program from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
Deadline: December 1, 2015
For AAPT members only. Funding will be considered for,including but not limited to the development and distribution of innovative apparatus for physics teaching and the purchase of supplies for workshops, liability insurance for workshops and demonstration programs.Review the website for previously funded projects, guidelines and the application.