Funding Opportunities
National
Donors Choose DonorsChoose allows public school teachers to post requests that will directly benefit students. The process and rules are pretty straightforward. Teachers complete a one page application on line. Be sure your proposal does not foster discrimination or proselytize a religious or political viewpoint. Concerned individuals, DonorsChoose calls them Citizen Philanthropists, select projects to fund. Details:www.DonorsChoose.org
NCR-SARE Youth and Youth Educator Grants Available NCR-SARE Youth & Youth Educator Grants are intended to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region of the U.S. to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture. The North Central Region includes Wisconsin, as well as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota.
This call is for youth, ages 8 - 18, and youth educators in the NCR-SARE North Central Region.
Applications are due at the NCR-SARE Office in Lincoln, NE by 4:30 pm (CDT), Tuesday, September 15, 2009. There is $34,000 available for this program. Projects must be finished and final reports submitted by December 31, 2010.
There are two options:
1. YOUTH GRANTS
Grants for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore sustainable agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about sustainable agriculture or attending a sustainable agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.
2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS
Grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.
For more information you can contact
Diane Mayerfeld, Wisconsin SARE coordinator, at
or
Joan Benjamin, Regional SARE Coordinator for Farmer and Youth Grants, at
National Schoolyard Birding Competition The National Schoolyard Birding Challenge is a monthly bird watching contest open to students in all public and private schools in North America. Submit your entries online by clicking on your region (Eastern or Western) at the lower right of the main page.
Student participants in the NSBC will work together to observe, identify, and record various bird species found on their school grounds in a single month. Teams compete for prizes each month and will be entered to win monthly drawings (PreK-4th; 5th-8th; and 9th-12th grade). The overall winner for each monthly challenge will receive an autographed copy of the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America in addition to their division's prizes!
Georgia Pacific Foundation Grants The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. The Foundation has identified the following key investment areas: educational efforts that empower youth and provide workers with job readiness training; community enrichment issues such as affordable housing and community safety; environmental programs that promote clean air and water, recycling, and land and resource conservation; and entrepreneurship initiatives that foster self-sufficiency and economic empowerment, especially among youth, women, and minorities.
Applications may be submitted online from January 1 through October 31, annually. Visit the Georgia Pacific website to take the Foundation's Eligibility Survey.
Audience Served: Non-formal Educators, Private Schools, Public Schools, Scouts/Youth Groups, Teachers
Environmental Focus: Career Choices, EE Best Practices, Environmental Justice, Recycling/Waste Management, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
Academic Focus: Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
Applications may be submitted online from January 1 through October 31, annually. Visit the Georgia Pacific website to take the Foundation's Eligibility Survey.
Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Contest and Scholarship Program Each year, Bonnie Plants distributes free cabbage plants to third graders across the country to foster an interest in gardening and the environment. Cabbages are delivered to students whose teachers have signed up to participate. Students in these third grade classrooms each get their very own cabbage to plant, take care of and harvest. The cabbages are the O.S. Cross variety, which are known for producing giant, oversized heads, making the process even more exciting for kids.
As part of the program, Bonnie awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each state. The drawing will be done in each state by the agriculture department representative. Teachers are asked to give out cabbage plants with instructions to students to carry home and grow. Teachers pick a class winner in size and maturity for the state scholarship drawing. Submit one winner per class to Bonnie Plants with a good quality picture, preferably digital.
Registration for schools to receive cabbage plants for 2009 is over. Now is the time for teachers to send in their class winner entry. The nominee form and picture must be received on or before September 1, 2009.
National Education Foundation Achievement Grant The NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants are provided to improve students' academic achievement by engaging them in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work also should improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.
The maximum award is $5,000. Practicing U.S. public school teachers, public school education support professionals, and faculty and staff members at public institutions of higher education are eligible.
Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, or scholars-in-residence. Although some funds may be used to support the professional development necessary to implement the project, the majority of grant funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students.
Applications are reviewed three times per year: February 1st, June 6th, and October 15th.
Digital Wish Grants Digital Wish offers 43 different grants for digital camera hardware and software for your classroom. To apply, register your classroom at Digital Wish. You will be automatically entered to win a myriad of different technology grants, plus your class story will be publicly posted so that potential donors can make a contribution to your classroom. Then, Login and enter a lesson plan. Every lesson plan you enter will be automatically added to your class profile. All teachers who submit a lesson plan on Digital Wish will be automatically entered to win a Mobile Digital Camera Lab plus as many as 43 technology grants.
Grants will be awarded on the 28th of every calendar month.
Captain Planet Foundation $250 - $2,500 Grants The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants of up to $2,500 to school and community groups to support hands-on environmental projects. The objective of the Foundation is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities.
You can submit a proposal at any time during the year. However, proposals will only be reviewed the last day of March, June, September, and December. It is very important to remember this information if your project is seasonal. For example, if you are seeking funding for a summer project you would want to submit an application no later than the December 31st deadline in the year prior, otherwise you will not have your grant money in time for the project.
All applications must be submitted using online form.
GameStop $500 Youth Grants Do Something and GameStop are putting the fun back in funding by giving you the big bucks ($500) to get things going in your neighborhood. GameStop youth grants are available for anyone in the U.S. or Canada, 25 or under (at time of application), who has a great idea for a community action project. GameStop grants are given out weekly.
Plum $500 Youth Grants Are you a social entrepreneur, age 25 or under (at time of application), who wants to see BIG change in the world?
Did you recently create a sustainable project, program or organization?
Do you need $500 to further the growth and success of your program?
If you answered, "YES!" to all those questions, you are eligible to apply for a Plum Youth Grant.
Audience Served: Families, Home Schools, Private Schools, Public Schools, Scouts/Youth Groups
Age Groups: Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, College Students, Adults
Environmental Focus: Agriculture/Farming, Air, Animals/Wildlife, Biodiversity, Climate Change/Weather, Conservation, Consumer Education, Creative Arts, Cultural Awareness, Ecology, EE Best Practices, Endangered Species, Energy, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Gardening/Composting, Geology, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Plants, Pollution, Population, Recycling/Waste Management, Soil, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
4imprint In-Kind Grants One by oneŽ is 4imprint's way of giving back and making sure that every day they do something even it's just one thing- to help make the world a better place. It's a program that reflects 4imprint's culture and philosophy. A culture that recognizes that each one of us has a special contribution to make and a philosophy that success is rarely built through bold moves and broad strokes. It's achieved through many small successes each layered one over the other.
Each business day 4imprint gives a worthy organization $500 in promotional products to spread the word, recruit volunteers, thank donors, offer comfort to someone in need or in some other way turns one thing into something much more.
If you are employed by, or serve on the Board of Directors of a 501(c)3 charity, religious organization or accredited school, and are working hard to make a difference in your community, let 4imprint help.
American Honda Foundation Grants The American Honda Foundation makes grants to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and others for programs that benefit youth and scientific education. The foundation seeks programs that are scientific, creative, humanistic, youthful, innovative, and more.
In general, grant ranges of $10,000 - $100,000 will apply to requests of a one-time only basis, payable in one lump sum, within one quarter's (3 months) grantmaking. Multiple year associations or grant requests made payable over more than one quarter could be proportionately higher. The average grant range is $40,000 to $80,000 per year.
The American Honda Foundation makes grants on a quarterly schedule. Application deadlines are Februrary 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Environmental Focus: Air, Animals/Wildlife, Climate Change/Weather, Conservation, Consumer Education, Creative Arts, Cultural Awareness, Ecology, Energy, Environmental Health, Gardening/Composting, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Plants, Pollution, Recycling/Waste Management, Soil, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Grants The David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) institutions, corporations and associations located in Georgia or one of its neighboring states that are organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational and charitable and scientific purposes. Grant making focuses on capital projects. The Distribution Committee makes its decisions based on materials provided in the grant request. Grant recipients are requested to submit a brief written report at the completion of the project describing what has been accomplished with the funds granted.
All applicants are requested to wait at least two years from the date of any previous application or grant award payment before submitting a new proposal to the Fund. The Funds board meets semi-annually in June and December.
Requests must be postmarked by May 1 and November 1 respectively in order to be considered.
Environmental Focus: Creative Arts, Cultural Awareness, EE Best Practices, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Team-building/Problem-solving
Academic Focus: Arts - Performing, Arts - Visual, Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
Braitmayer Foundation Grants The Braitmayer Foundation funds a broad range of K-12 education programs, with particular interest in curricular reform initiatives and professional development opportunities for teachers. A special focus is on encouraging people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. All K-12 schools in the United States, as well as independent NGOs with an education focus, are eligible. Grants for up to $10, 000 and $35,000 are available.
The deadlines are June 1st and November 15th annually.
Environmental Focus: Agriculture/Farming, Air, Animals/Wildlife, Astronomy, Biodiversity, Career Choices, Climate Change/Weather, Conservation, Consumer Education, Creative Arts, Cultural Awareness, Ecology, EE Best Practices, Endangered Species, Energy, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Gardening/Composting, Geology, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Outdoor Skills/Recreation, Plants, Pollution, Population, Recycling/Waste Management, Soil, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
Academic Focus: Arts - Performing, Arts - Visual, Character Education, Health, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Technology
Toshiba America Grants for Enhancing Math and Science Ed. Toshiba America Foundation contributes to the quality of science and mathematics education in the U.S. with an annual grant budget of approximately $500,000. Teachers K - 12 are eligible to apply for grants ranging from up to $1,000 for grades K - 6 and $5,000 for 7 - 12.
Recent K - 6 grantees include a kindergarden class using their urban neighborhood as a laboratory for an introduction to geometry, and elementary students participating in hands-on activities at a National Wildlife Refuge. Some recipients in grades 7 - 12 are working on creating new science based classes, lesson plans or research laboratories for their schools.
Deadline for K - 6th grade programs is October 1st (may request up to $1,000). Grant Applications for 7th - 12th grade programs are accepted year round for grants under $5,000 and are due February 1st and August 1st for grants over $5,000.
Teachers are encouraged to contact the Toshiba Foundation directly before submitting an application. Please visit the foundation's Web site for further details.
Environmental Focus: Air, Animals/Wildlife, Career Choices, Climate Change/Weather, Conservation, Consumer Education, Creative Arts, Cultural Awareness, Ecology, Endangered Species, Energy, Environmental Health, Gardening/Composting, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Outdoor Skills/Recreation, Plants, Pollution, Population, Recycling/Waste Management, Soil, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
Academic Focus: Arts - Visual, Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Science
Operation Green Plant - Free Seed Grants America the Beautiful Fund's Operation Green Plant program is offering grants of FREE SEEDS (Vegetable, Flower, or Herb) to encourage citizen efforts to protect and preserve America's lands and resources.
These are 2006 seeds with germination rates of 90% to 95%. Grants of 100 to 2,000 seed packets are being offered on the basis of availability and relative need.
Shipping and handling fees for the first set of 100 seed packets is $14.95. Additional set(s) of 100 packets are available for $5 per set.
Age Groups Eligible: All Ages
Environmental Focus: Agriculture/Farming, Conservation, Creative Arts, Gardening/Composting, Habitats/Ecosystems, Plants, Soil, Trees/Forests
Academic Focus: Arts - Visual, Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
Toyota Grants Programs Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. focuses education, environment and safety. National programs in these areas must have a broad reach by impacting several major U.S. cities, communities or groups.
The Toyota U.S.A. Foundation is committed to improving the quality of K-12 education, with a primary interest in mathematics and science. Applying organizations must be located within and serve the people of the United States. They also must be financially sound.
Organizations must be tax-exempt. Applications are accepted only on-line on a rolling basis.
Ben & Jerry The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers competitive grants to not-for-profit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States which facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. The Foundation will only consider proposals from grassroots, constituent-led organizations that are organizing for systemic social change.
Grant applicants need to demonstrate that their projects will:
* lead to societal, institutional and/or environmental change;
* facilitate leadership development and strengthen the self-empowerment efforts of those who have traditionally been disenfranchised in our society; and
* support movement building and collective action; and
* outline specific goals and strategies of their organizing campaign or program.
Full grants range from $1,001 - $15,000. Throughout the year, the Ben & Jerry's Foundation may fund a small number of material grants for $1,000 or less for innovative programs that fit into our general guidelines and that are infused with a spirit of hopefulness. The application process to the Ben & Jerry's Foundation begins with an initial Letter of Interest, and if invited, is followed by a full proposal. Letters of Interest may be submitted at any time and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. They may take up to eight (8) weeks to be reviewed.
Environmental Focus: Agriculture/Farming, Air, Biodiversity, Climate Change/Weather, Conservation, Consumer Education, Cultural Awareness, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Gardening/Composting, Litter, Nature Awareness, Pollution, Population, Recycling/Waste Management, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving
Academic Focus: Character Education, Health, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies
Lowe's Charitable & Educational Foundation Grants The Lowe's Charitable & Educational Foundation awards more than $3 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. The Foundation provides funding only to 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and public agencies in communities where Lowe's operates stores and distribution centers. Primary philanthropic focus areas are: Community improvement projects, K-12 Public School Initiatives, and Vocational Trade School Scholarships
Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Environmental Focus: Agriculture/Farming, Air, Animals/Wildlife, Career Choices, Conservation, Consumer Education, Creative Arts, Environmental Health, Gardening/Composting, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Outdoor Skills/Recreation, Plants, Pollution, Recycling/Waste Management, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
Academic Focus: Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
School Garden Q&As In this memo, USDA recently clarified that school food service funds may be used to purchase seeds, gardening tools, fertilizer, etc for school gardens. Such funds may also be devoted to starting and maintaining gardens on school property and schools are allowed to purchase produce from the gardens, even if the garden is managed and maintained by another school organization.
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation's Fruit Tree Orchard Grant The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an award-winning international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water. FTPF programs strategically donate orchards where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, at places such as community gardens, public schools, city/state parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries. FTPF’s unique mission, which has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and The Today Show, benefits the environment, human health, and animal welfare—all at once! For more, please visit www.ftpf.org. Our orchard donations are available for recipients who pledge to care for the trees and utilize them for a charitable purpose. If selected for an orchard donation, FTPF will provide high-quality fruit trees and shrubs, organic soil amendments, equipment, planting volunteers, and on-site orchard design work, horticultural workshops, and aftercare training—with the goal of improving the surrounding environment and providing a source of healthy nutrition for the community. We also help coordinate all aspects of the planting, and offer an educational experience for volunteers interested in learning more about tree planting. Free community arboricultural workshops are also available the day of the planting. Recipients must be nonprofits, public schools, or government entities that 1) own the planting site (or have long-term arrangements to remain at the planting site), 2) are committed to caring for the trees in perpetuity, 3) have a source of irrigation nearby, 4) and can help coordinate local volunteers to join us on the day of planting. FOR SCHOOLS ONLY: Our “Fruit Tree 101” program creates outdoor edible orchard classrooms at public schools of all levels, across the country, to provide generations of students with environmental education opportunities and a source of organic fruit for improved school lunch nutrition. The “Fruit Tree 101” event is typically completed in two parts. The first, typically held on a weekend to accommodate volunteer schedules, involves planting the orchard under the direction of our certified arborist. We rely on the school to help coordinate local volunteers for this day. The second part, held when school is in session, invites students to join FTPF’s instructors for a fun, hour-long lesson about the importance of trees for the environment and fruit in the diet—culminating in a group tree planting exercise. Local media often attends and reports on the great things that are happening at the school. FTPF ideally seeks schools that can accommodate at least 20-25 trees on school grounds (at 15 ft. intervals) near existing irrigation sources (e.g. spigot or sprinklers). Orchards provide benefits for decades, and once they become established, require little maintenance. For more information about “Fruit Tree 101,” including photos and media articles, please visit www.ftpf.org/fruittree101.htm. If interested in an FTPF orchard grant, please complete the application available at: www.ftpf.org/fruittree101.htm.
Alabama
Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation Grants Twice each year the Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation makes grants available for classroom projects that integrate agriculture into curriculum areas during the school year. Judges will be the members of the Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom Steering Committee. Aplications for grants may be submitted by:
- Alabama teachers in either elementary or secondary levels of public, private, or parochial schools;
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System Agents who work with K-12 th grade students and/or teachers on a regular basis; or
- Alabama Soil and Water Association District Coordinators who work with K-12 th grade students and/or teachers on a regular basis.
Grants are made for amounts from $25 to $500 on the basis of an application.
Funds may be used for supplies and/or equipment to develop and teach the planned project.
For information contact:
Amy Belcher, Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom
P.O. box 3336, Montgomery, Alabama. 36109-0336
Phone: 334-240-7126 Fax: 334-240-7169
California
School Garden Grants Western Growers Foundation funds school fruit and vegetable gardens in California. Schools receive up to $1500, an irrigation kit provided by T-Systems, and a box of teacher resources. Deadlines for postmarked application are June 1 and November 15 of each year.
Georgia
Georgia Green & Healthy Schools Awards Program By completing requirements to advance to higher levels of the Georgia Green & Healthy Schools program, schools earn awards and recognition. Awards include certificate, banner, patches, awards ceremony, and grant eligibility. Schools may also maintain their accomplishments to earn renewal each school year.
Costs: There is no cost to participate in this program.
How to Access: Annual deadlines to submit advancement or renewal forms are January 31 and June 30 (postmark date) to receive the appropriate recognition or rewards for the current school year. Get started by submitting a pledge to participate today!
Resource Types: Contest/Award, Educational Materials & Curricula, Outdoor Classroom Resources
Audience Served: Private Schools, Public Schools, Teachers
Age Groups: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, Adults
Environmental Focus: Air, Animals/Wildlife, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Environmental Health, Gardening/Composting, Habitats/Ecosystems, Litter, Nature Awareness, Plants, Pollution, Recycling/Waste Management, Soil, Stormwater, Sustainability, Team-building/Problem-solving, Trees/Forests, Water
Academic Focus: Character Education, Health, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
State Standards Met: GA - Georgia Performance Standards
State Standard Comments: The Air, Chemicals, Energy, Integrated Pest Management, School Grounds, Waste Management, and Water self-assessment tools are currently being correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards for Grades K-12.
Georgia Master Gardener Grants Each year the Georgia Master Gardener Association allocates monies to help support a variety of educational horticultural projects in the state of Georgia. The number of requests that will be funded depends on the amount of money available each year. As a general guideline, grants usually are in the $100-$700 range. Organizations submitting applications must be non-profit and must not have religious or political affiliations. They also should have at least one county-registered Master Gardener among their members. The application deadlines are July 15 and November 15th annually.
Hawaii
Environmental Education Mini-Grants Teachers in HAWAI'I can apply for these mini-grants to purchase equipment, supplies, trainings to support their farm to schools programs (including gardens).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom offers mini-grants of up to $1,500 to Massachusetts educators to support their agricultural education efforts. The next round of applications are due April 1, with later rounds due September 1 and November 1. To receive a copy of the mini- grant guidelines, send a letter to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P.O. Box 345, Seekonk MA 02771.
Vermont
Farm to School Grant Program
The Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Grant Program awards Vermont schools with funds to integrate local foods into school cafeterias, classrooms and communities. The Vermont House and Senate appropriated funds for the program in 2006 and, in the next year, named it after State Representative Rosemary "Rozo" McLaughlin, the late champion of the legislation. The grant program is made possible through collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education and Department of Health, and the non-profit partnership VT FEED (Vermont Food Education Every Day). Each year it awards funding to an average of 11 schools.
The grant program encourages recipients to serve food to Vermont students that is as fresh and nutritious as possible; to maximize the use of fresh, locally grown, produced and processed foods; to educate students about healthy eating habits through nutrition education, including using hands-on techniques to make the connections between farming and the foods that students consume; to increase the size and stability of farmers' direct-sales markets; and to increase school meal participation by increasing the selection of foods available to students.
The program offers two types of grants:
-Planning Grants assist Vermont schools in planning a farm to school program with up to $1500 to build their wellness or farm to school team.
-Implementation Grants assist Vermont schools in implementing existing farm to school initiatives with up to $15,000. Schools applying for implementation grants must have an existing Wellness or farm to school committee with prior experience in community development or farm to school training.