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
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 one® 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.
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
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.
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.
Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools is a comprehensive grassroots public health effort to mobilize and engage stakeholders at the local, state and national level to support salad bars in schools. Our vision is to significantly increase salad bars in schools across the country until every child has the choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools is an initiative of the Food Family Farming Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, United Fresh Produce Association Foundation and Whole Foods Markets to support First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative. The goal of Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools is to fund and award 6000 salad bars by the end of 2013. Learn more about how to get support for bringing a salad bar to a school in your community at www.saladbars2schools.org.
USDA Grants for Farm to School Efforts This webpage provides a link to available USDA grants that support Farm to School activities.
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
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.
Wyoming
Specialty Crop Program: Nonprofit Organization High Tunnel Grants Purpose:
Small grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to promote Specialty Crop season extension through high tunnel projects.
Eligibility Requirements:
Wyoming Agricultural Organizations are eligible to apply for a Wyoming Special Crop High Tunnel Grant if they meet the following criteria:
1. Be a registered nonprofit Wyoming-based organization or an educational institution in the State of Wyoming.
2. Demonstrate that the organization is capable of promoting the use of specialty crop productions through high tunnel season extension.
3. Have received a recommendation from a local agricultural entity that can vouch for their involvement in specialty crop agriculture education and promotion.
Specialty Crop Program: Season Extension Producer Grant Progam Purpose:
Small grants will be awarded to specialty crop agribusiness operations o develop methods for season extension, increase productivity and native seed production. Eligible grants will also include water conservation methods.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Be a private-sector Wyoming-based agricultural producer as defined by USDA.
2. Demonstrate the producer is capable of capitalizing on methods that will enhance their specialty crop production through season extension, water conservation and native seed production.
3. Have received a recommendation from a local agricultural entity or individual that can vouch for their involvement in in agricultural production.