Category Archives: Education

The Awesome Foundation

The Awesome Foundation has been “forwarding the interest of awesome in the universe” since 2009. They do this through 77 chapters in 11 countries, each of which grants a $1,000 award every month.

The funds for these no strings attached grants come from donations from the chapter’s members. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility

Anyone can apply for an Awesome Foundation grant.

Allowable Activities

Any type of project is eligible, as long as it’s ‘Awesome.’ Each chapter defines the term ‘awesome’ differently, but it can be interpreted to mean innovative, experimental, and inspirational.

Recently funded projects include a picture book to help kids navigate cancer, a theater performance about women who contributed to astronomy, and an accessible playground.

How to Apply

The Foundation suggests you apply to the chapter closest to you, but you can also mark ‘Any’ on the application. A few of the chapters are  based around specific issues, but the majority are geographic and tend to fund projects in their area. There is also an Awesome Without Borders. 

You can also apply to more than one chapter if you think they’d be interested. Most chapters meet monthly to select the recipient, but if you’re not chosen, they often keep applications for a while to review again.

 

National Endowment for the Humanities Media Projects Grant

The National Endowment for the Humanities Media Projects Grant supports the creation of new media that brings the humanities to a general audience. Funding is available at two levels – Development and Production.

Development grants are available for up to $75,000 over 6-12 months. Production grants are available for up to $700,000 over 1-3 years. There is no matching requirement. Applications are due through Grants.gov by January 10, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. An optional draft may be submitted by November 29, 2023.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c) nonprofit organizations
  • Public or nonprofit institutions of higher education
  • State and local governments
  • Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments

Requirments

Photo by Brett Sayles: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-talking-video-1426044/

All projects must:

  • Be grounded in humanities scholarship
  • Deepen public understanding of the topic(s)
  • Present a variety of perspectives
  • Involve humanities scholars at all stages
  • Involve media professionals
  • Be created for national or regional distribution

Grant Categories

Development

Development awards are intended for projects in the early stages and must generate a script or detailed treatment. Funds may be used for:

  • Meeting with scholars 
  • Preliminary interviews
  • Production of a work-in-progress or trailer 
  • Creation of partnerships for outreach and public engagement 
  • Scholarly research

Production

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-and-woman-talking-together-6883805/

Production awards must generate and distribute a finished media product such as a documentary film, podcast, television show, or radio broadcast. Products may be stand alone films/episodes or a series of programs.

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Additional script development
  • Meeting with scholars
  • Purchasing rights to material
  • Filming, recording, and editing
  • Distribution
  • Development of supplemental materials such as websites and curricula
  • Outreach and public engagement

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Humanities content and significance
  • Creative approach, script, and resources
  • Project personnel 
  • Submitted work sample 
  • Work plan, budget, and likelihood of success 
  • Audience reach and distribution

SPIE Education Outreach Grants

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, sponsors educational activities through their Education Outreach Grants.

Applications for up to $5,000 are due by December 1, 2023. Applicants must be SPIE members.

Eligibility

This grant is open to SPIE members associated with:

  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Universities
  • Youth clubs
  • Optics centers
  • Science centers
  • Industry associations
  • International optical societies

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Outreach kits and materials
  • Promotional materials
  • Snacks
  • Refreshments and other event related expenses

Grant fund may not be used for:

  • Administrative costs and overhead
  • Entry fees
  • Membership fees
  • Equipment
  • Travel
  • Salaries, stipends, or honoraria
  • Food and beverages exceeding 25% of the total budget

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Potential to impact the chosen audience
  • Potential to raise awareness of and interest in optics and photonics
  • Clarity and structure of the project
  • Clear timeline and budget

Fund for Teachers Fellowship

Fund for Teachers supports teachers and their professional growth through the FFT Fellowship. Fellowships take place over summer vacation and should be completed before school starts again in the fall.

Individual teachers may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000. Applications are due by January 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM CST.

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to teachers in the continental United States and Hawaii who:

  • Teach Pre-K through 12th grade full time (30 or more hours per week)
  • Spend at least 50% of their time providing direct instruction (one-on-one instruction does not count)
  • Will have at least three years of full time teaching experience at the end of the school year
  • Have not won a FFT Fellowship in the last five years

Goals for Fellowship Participants

After participating in this fellowship, educators should be able to:

  • Serve as problem solvers and innovators
  • Apply what they gained to student learning
  • Help students develop into more globally minded individuals, empowered to take action
  • Grow as leaders and change makers

Allowable Expenses

Fellowship funds may be used for:

  • Materials and supplies
  • Transportation
  • Lodging
  • Food
  • Registration or course fees
  • Equipment justified for fellowship
  • COVID-19 testing (up to $100)
Image by 14995841

Fellowship funds may not be used for:

  • Onsite professional development
  • Completion of degree programs
  • Transportation other than economy class
  • Lodging extras such as laundry and mini-bar
  • Luggage, clothing, toiletries, or souveniers
  • Technology accessories

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation National Grant

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) supports projects that help youth* with disabilities develop leadership and employment skills through their National Grant program. They award 6 – 12 grants each year, ranging from $10,000 – $100,000. Grants may also be for 1 – 3 year periods.

Applications are accepted July 15 – November 1. Funding decisions are made in March of the following year and money dispersed on April 1.

*MEAF defines youth in this context as individuals up to age 26.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to organizations in the United States who:

  • Have a 501(c)3 tax designation
  • Operate on a national scale OR
  • Have a plan to replicate and share their project on a national scale
  • Primarily work with young people with disabilities or disabled young veterans transitioning to post-service life

Project

Eligible projects must:

  • Help disabled youth develop skills needed to gain employment OR
  • Develop tools that lower barriers to allow employers to hire disabled youth
  • Advance inclusive, competitive employment practices that put youth with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers
  • Have a well developed plan to evaluate, replicate, and share their project

Excluded Activities

MEAF does not fund:

  • Capital campaigns and building funds
  • Projects focused only on research
  • Political activities
  • Religious activities
  • Fundraising events
  • Purchase of equipment or devices for individuals unless part of a larger project

Funding Strategies

At this time, MEAF is focused on the following strategies:

  • Inclusive Education – Quality educational opportunities that prepare youth with disabilities for the workforce
  • Increasing the Talent Pipeline – Focusing on unique abilities to prepare youth with disabilities for in-demand jobs
  • Mentoring & Internships – Creating opportunities for youth with disabilities to participate in mentoring and internship programs
  • School-Industry Partnership – Creating equitable opportunities for education and employment through partnerships

Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation

The Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation supports projects in the U.S. that address environmental issues and work toward the long term well-being of life on earth. They are particularly interested in funding projects focused on Conservation, Environmental Education, and Climate Change.

Applications are accepted year round and reviewed quarterly. The last day to be considered for a grant in 2023 is November 1st. Thus far in 2023, awards have ranged from $7,500 to $62,500.

Eligibility

The Foundation does not specify who is eligible for this grant other than to say that they are not permitted to fund individuals. However, the registration form, which covers all Hillman Family Foundations, asks:

  1. Does your organization have a tax ID or EIN?
  2. If you are not a 501c3 or your organization falls outside the geographic area of focus, please explain below.

Application

Applicants must register on the application site and be approved before submitting a request. Approval should take 24-48 hours. Once approved, there will be three applications formats to choose from:

  1. Capital project
  2. Program grant
  3. Annual fund

Requests for event support should use the annual fund application .

Air & Space Forces Association Educator Grants

Educator Grants from the Air & Space Forces Association support STEM education projects with preference given to aerospace science activities.

Applications for up to $500 are due by December 15th. Awards will be announced in late February and must be spent within 6 months.

Eligibility

This grant is open to Kindergarten through 12th grade educators in the United States. Grant activities must benefit at least 15 students.

Allowable Expenses

Potential grant expenses include:

  • Classroom science supplies
  • Science and technology software
  • STEM demonstration kits
  • Supplies for making flying objects
  • Supplies for robotics programs

Grant funds may not be spent on:

  • Competition registrations
  • Awards, t-shirts, or other promotional items
  • Teacher workshop registrations

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Project description clarity and completeness (25 points)
  • Alignment with school district’s strategic education plan (15 points)
  • Clearly articulated enhancement and enrichment of student learning (15 points)
  • Teaching method (10 points)
  • Evaluation plan (15 points)
  • Plan to communicate results (10 points)
  • Budget (10 points)

The Mockingbird Foundation

The Mockingbird Foundation was founded in 1997 by fans of the band Phish to raise money for children’s music education. Since then, they’ve awarded over $2.3 million in grants for projects in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Initial Inquiries are due by January 15, 2024 for grants ranging from $100 – $10,000. If invited to apply, full applications will be due in April 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Public schools

Funding Distribution

Past grants have been awarded to fund:

  • Instruments – 45%
  • Other (curriculum, mixed needs) – 19%
  • Staffing – 16%
  • Equipment – 8%
  • Scholarships – 8%
  • General Support – 4%

NAEF Mary McMullen Grant

The National Art Education Foundation supports projects that advance instructional practice, research, and leadership in visual arts education.

The Mary McMullen Grant provides up to $3,000 for classroom-based action research that promotes art education. The deadline for applications has been extended to October 16, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Matching funds are not required, but are highly encouraged and will receive preference.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to individuals who have been members of the National Arts Education Association since October 1, 2022 or before, NAEA state or province associations, and recognized NAEA special issues groups.

Project

Mary McMullen grants support projects that:

  • Promote art education as an essential part of the total educational experience
  • Establishes and/or increases art instruction at all levels of education in the United States (Elementary through Higher Ed.)

Class-Based Action Research

Grant funds are intended for testing new models in the classroom through:

  • Curriculum Models emphasizing student-centered solutions or global perspectives
  • Pilot Projects focusing on NAEA goals
  • Models to promote quality art education to those in a position to influence future decisions, such as educators, policy makers, and business leaders

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • Resumes for key personnel
  • Letter of endorsment from the school principal, department chair, or other supervisor

Using Music to Teach Primary Mathematics Grant (Pre-K-2)

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has been advocating for high quality math education since 1920. They offer multiple grants including the Using Music to Teach Primary Mathematics Grant (Pre-K-2).

Applications for up to $3,000 are due by November 1, 2023.

Eligibility

This grant is open to teachers in the United States who:

  • Teach math or collaborate with math teachers in Pre-K through 2nd grade.
  • Have not received this grant before
  • Are members of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment if supported by the project plan, but it should not be the primary focus of the application.

Application Components and Evaluation

All applications will be scored based on:

Application Element Maximum Points
Proposal
Describes clearly the applicant’s plans for linking mathematics and music5
Provides a clear timeline for how the proposed plan will be carried out 3
Details anticipated impact on students’ appreciation of music and mathematics 5
Details the anticipated impact on students’ mathematics learning 5
Describes a plan for assessment to measure students’ growth in mathematics 5
Budget
Included an itemized and realistic budget in line-item table format (without
overemphasis on equipment). Items must be described in the narrative		3
Background and Experience
Education, teaching experience, and professional activities show potential for
success of proposal		5
Letter of Support
Principal’s letter confirms teaching status and demonstrates strong support for theproposal and the applicant’s ability to accomplish it5
Total = 36