American Association of School Librarians Description: Awards and grants are offered annually. For example, Sagebrush Corp. sponsors the AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award, which awards $1,500 to a recipient who teams with classroom teachers to meet specific goals at a campus. Other grants and awards recognize leadership, distinguished service and more. Recipients: K-12 librarians and media specialists Proposal Deadline: Feb. 1, but several exceptions exist
Adopt-A-Classroom Description: By registering, teachers can be “adopted” (by an individual, a business or a foundation) to receive a credit toward the purchase of items to enrich the learning environment, such as technology. Teachers can solicit their own sponsors by sending personalized, prewritten email or distributing flyers. Deadline: None Recipients: PreK-12 teachers at US public schools Average Amount: $500
American Honda Fountain Description: Funds innovative projects in science education that are “imaginative, creative, humanistic, forward-thinking and youthful.” Recipients: K-12 schools and youth-oriented nonprofit groups Proposal Deadline: Feb. 1 Total Amount: $10.000-100,000
Barnes and Noble Grants Description: The Barnes and Noble Grants proposals must include a description of how the community will benefit and how the program will be promoted with Barnes & Noble. Recipients: arts, literacy, K-12 education programs Proposal Deadline: None Total Amount: varies Availability: Communities with Barnes & Noble Store
Best Buy Description: Teachers and schools successfully using interactive technology in the classroom may be selected to receive $2,500 gift cards from Best Buy. Recipients: teachers/schools Proposal Deadline: New applications are available July 1, 2006 and winners will be announced in February 2007. Total Amount: $2,500 Availability: Communities with Best Buy Stores
Captain Plant Foundation Description: Started and funded by CNN’s creator Ted Turner, supplies cash grants for hands-on environmental projects. Children and teens must work to solve environmental problems in their own communities. Apply via an online forms; reviews take place on a quarterly basis Proposal Deadlines: June 30 and September 30 Total Amount: $250-2,500
Corning Incorporated Foundation Description: More than $2.25 million is annually award. Programs funded by the foundation’s educational grants include curriculum enrichment, instructional technology projects and upgrade of a school’s technology lab. A letter of inquiry is the first step; full proposals must be invited. Recipients: K-12 teachers Deadline: None; ongoing program
Dollar General’s Community Grants Description: This grant supports youth literacy initiatives. Recipients: nonprofit organization Proposal Deadline: Dec 5 and Mar 5 Total Amount: $2,500
Forensics in the Classroom Description: Receive free science curricula from Court TV and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Each of the standards-based instructional units is, essentially, a murder mystery. Students use forensics-based science to solve the crime. Teachers can then participate in quarterly surveys, conducted by Court TV, to refine the content’s usefulness and for a chance to receive a $1000 grant. Recipients: Public MS and HS Proposal Deadline: None Total Amount: $1000
Fuji Photo Film USA Description: For lessons that integrate visual learning and expression, educators in the US may request up to $1,000 worth of products. The company’s Products for Learning donation program includes 35mm and digital cameras, CD and DVD media, USB drives and more. To apply, submit an appropriate lesson plan using the on-line form. Recipients: K-12 educators Proposal Deadline: None; ongoing program Total Amount: $1000
iLoveSchools.com Description: Teacher can register to receive free school supplies and other tools for their classrooms or schools directly from donors nationwide. More than 25,000 teachers and thousands of donors are now participating. Plus, on the site’s Resources section, click on a state for a list of other organizations that provide free supplies, technology, grants and more. Recipients: K-12 teachers Proposal Deadline: None
Increasing the Odds AYP Grant Program Description: Help your campus boost its AYP score by motivating its students. Through this grant program by LearningWare, Inc., you can acquire single user licenses of its Gameshow Prep software. The priority is to help underperforming students and schools reach higher levels of proficiency. Winners are selected base don need, eligibility and a short essay of 200 words or less. Recipients: K-12 Proposal Deadline: Ongoing review; five educators are selected monthly
Inspiration Description: Tell about your best project using Inspiration, InspireData, or Kidspiration in the classroom and enter to win one of 25 $1,000 scholarships to be used for professional development in visual learning and technology or for the purchase of classroom technology. In addition, one outstanding entry will be selected as “Best Overall Visual Learning Project” and receive a $1,000 bonus! Recipients:K-12 classrooms Proposal Deadline: January 25, 2008
K-12 HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative Description: Supports innovative uses of technology that prove effective for teaching academic subjects in K-12 classrooms. About 75 schools annually receive HP equipment, professional development for 5 teachers, plus other support. Preference is generally given to projects integrating math or science curricula and schools serving a large number of low-income students. However, each year the specifics of the program change, so check the Web site for 2006 guidelines. Recipients:K-12 classrooms Proposal Deadline: Feb. 15 Total Amount: $30,000+
Lowe’s Charitable & Educational Foundation Description: Funds playground enhancements, landscaping, painting and minor repairs. Small request should be directed to local store managers. Recipients: Public K-12 schools, educational gardens, and other outdoor learning environments Proposal Deadline: Jan 15, Apr 15, and July 15 Total Amount: $5,000-25,000
NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education Description: They offer 2 types of grants. For Innovation Grants, two or more colleagues must collaborate to develop and implement “creative project-based learning” that boosts academic achievement. “Break-the-mold ideas that focus on closing achievement gaps for underserved learners” are a priority. Learning and Leadership Grants fund high-quality professional development experiences for individuals ($2,000) or groups ($5,000). Such activities “must improve practice, curriculum and student achievement.” Recipients: teachers Proposal Deadline: Feb. 1 and June 1
Premier Assistive Technology’s Breaking Down Barriers to Assistive Technology Grant Description: Schools receive software that reads printed text out loud. The firm’s Windows software suites includes Scan and Read Pro, Talking Calculator, Talking Word Processor, Text to Audio, Ultimate Speaking Dictionary and more. Winners receive an Unlimited Site License, meaning every student in the school can use the software. After the grant period has expired, applicants may pay a nominal fee to continue product maintenance, tech support, and upgrades. Recipients: K-12 public schools Proposal Deadline: none
Readingpen K-12 Grant Program Description: This program puts 10 Readingpens into the hands of struggling students. These tiny stand-alone devices can scan a word and then say and spell the word aloud, show its syllables, provide synonyms, demonstrate its use in a sentence and more. The K-12 Edition of Readingpen also integrates the American Heritage Children’s Dictionary and Children’s Thesaurus. Further, an English-to-Spanish dictionary accommodates ESL students’ needs. A built-in speaker and headphones are included as well. Each grant includes materials for teachers, plus personal support from a senior reading specialist on integrating the units into classroom instruction. Recipients: K-12 teachers Proposal Deadline: none
Sprint Foundation Description: Most grants are made to match Sprint employee contributions to a school or district, though the foundation will review unsolicited proposals. Projects that foster school reform through technology and develop teachers’ skills are favored. To apply, use the Web-based grant proposal form. Recipients: K-12 Proposal Deadline: None; ongoing review
Target Store Education and Arts Grants Description: Education giving on a national basis in areas of company operations for education and the arts. Program areas: Arts, facilities/maintenance, general education, math, reading, science/environmental, social studies Recipients: Public, private/charter, higher education Proposal Deadline: Apply between March 1 and May 31 on an annual basis Average amount: $1,000-$3,000
Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) Description: is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to supporting science and mathematics education in the United States. The Foundation contributes to the quality of science and math education by investing in projects designed by classroom teachers to enhance instruction for students in grades K-12. By funding inquiry-based projects, TAF encourages students “to do science” rather than just read about it in textbooks. Through hands-on experiments that explore real-world questions, TAF helps teachers and students to underscore the importance of science and technology in students’ everyday lives. Recipients: K-12 classroom teachers Proposal Deadline: Kindergarten – 6th Grade Program Applications are due October 1st; 7th -12th Grade Program Applications accepted year round for grants under $5,000.Applications are due February 1st and August 1st for grants over $5,000.| Average amount: $5000
Wal-Mart Good Works Community Involvement Description: Wal-Mart’s community involvement approach is unique. Associates combine financial and volunteer support to assist organizations in making a positive difference. Local Wal-Mart stores often support local school projects. Program areas: General education, science/environment, other Recipients: Public school, private/charter Proposal deadline: None Average amount: $1,000+ Total amount: $200 million plus Telephone: 800-530-9925 Contact: Local Good Works Coordinator or Wal-Mart manager
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Description: These education grants are for improving instruction, technology, universal basic and secondary education. Submit a letter of inquiry at any time. Consortia or partnerships involving schools or districts are preferred. Grants are awarded on the basis of “merit, educational importance, relevance to program goals, and cost effectiveness.” Recipients: K-12 districts Proposal Deadline: None; ongoing program
Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes by CDW*G and Discovery Education Description: Last year 3 schools won the grand prize: a mobile wireless lab, complete with 20 notebook or Tablet PCs, a mobile storage and recharging cart, a wireless access point, plus on-site setup and training. Another 30 prizes will also be awarded, including printers, scanners, digital projectors, educational software, and more. Entering couldn’t be easier; simply fill out an online form. Winners will be chosen by a random drawing. Recipients: 18 yrs old, US resident, employed at a public, private or parochial K-12 school in the US Deadline: Jan-Apr
