Category Archives: Education

National PTA Healthy Minds Grant

The National PTA offers several educational programs to increase engagement and make learning more fun. These programs are free to use but may require additional costs, so they also offers grants to help with funding.

The Healthy Minds grant is co-sponsored by the New York Life Foundation and The Allstate Foundation. Applications for one of one hundred $1,250 awards are due by October 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET. Grantees will also receive additional communication and resources throughout the program year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to any Parent Teacher Association in good standing who:

Hosts a National PTA Healthy Minds program, which is suitable for all grades and ages.
Uses and shares Healthy Minds resources with parents and caregivers
Partners with their school to improve mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) supports and services.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding is flexible and may be used to cover costs associated with running the program or making it accessible for all students. This may include:

Food
Transportation
Translators
Custodial services

Scoring Rubric

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All applications will be assessed based on:

Barriers and Equity (0-4 points) – How will funding help eliminate any barriers that prevented effective and equitable programming in the past?
Community Needs (0-4 points) – How will you assess the program’s ability to address what your community needs?
Family and Community Engagement (0-4 points) – How will you make the entire family-school community a part of the program?
Grant Specific (0, 2, or 4 points) – How well does the applicant understand the program for which they are applying?

USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

The USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provides funding to establish community forests. This protects forest land and provides economic, environmental, and educational benefits.

Interested applicants should contact their Community Forest Program Regional Contact. Grant awards are available for up to $600,000 over two years with a required 1:1 match of non-federal funds. Applications must be submitted to State Foresters or Tribal Governments by January 12, 2024.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to entities in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, such as:

Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations)
Local governments
Qualified nonprofit organizations

Land

To be eligible for conversion to community forest under this program, property must be:

At least 5 acres
At least 75% forested
Able to sustain natural vegetation
Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses
For sale by a willing seller
Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Native Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands
Accessible to the public

Allowable Costs

Grant funding is intended to be used for full fee title acquisition of a piece of forested property. Also allowable are related costs, such as:

Title examination
Appraisals and appraisal reviews
Land surveys
Legal and closing costs
Development of the Community Forest Plan

Funds may not be used for:

Long-term operations, maintenance, and management of the land
Construction of buildings or recreational facilities
Existing liens or taxes owed
Research
Costs associated with preparing this application

Review Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

Community benefits (economic, environmental, educational, recreational) – 20 points
Community engagement – 10 points
Strategic contribution and connection to broader landscape initiatives – 5 points
Threat or likelihood of property being converted to non-forest use – 5 points

Other considerations include:

Costs to the federal government
Other funds leveraged
Due diligence completed

Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades 6-12

The Toshiba America Foundation supports classroom teachers who make STEM learning fun. Their grantmaking is based on their corporate values:

Do the Right Thing
Look for a Better Way
Always Consider the Impact
Create Together

Applications for Grants for Grades 6-12 are accepted at multiple points throughout the year. Requests for up to $5,000 are due by March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st. Requests for more than $5,000 are due by May 1st and November 1st.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public and nonprofit private schools in the United States and its territories.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding must be spent on materials for project-based learning activities.

Ineligible expenses include:

Computers, laptops or tablets
Textbooks
Video production
Audio-visual equipment
Summer projects, clubs, or after school programs
Education research
Salaries
Facilities maintenance
General operating expenses
Capital projects

Project Categories

Applicants may choose to apply for funding for the following types of project-based learning.

3D Printing
Anatomy/Physiology
Astronomy/Space/NASA
Botany/Hydroponics/Agriculture
Coding (other than robotics)/Computer Science
Data
Energy
Engineering/Design (other than 3D printing)
Environment
Genetics/DNA
Geology
Health/Medicine/Biology
Mathematics
Meteorology
Oceanography
Robotics
Other

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

Proof of organization’s eligibility
Signed Principal Signature Form

Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades K-5

The Toshiba America Foundation supports classroom teachers who make STEM learning fun. Their grantmaking is based on their corporate values:

Do the Right Thing
Look for a Better Way
Always Consider the Impact
Create Together

Applications for Grants for Grades K-5 are due annually by October 1st. Applicants may request up to $1,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public and nonprofit private schools in the United States and its territories.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding must be spent on materials for project-based learning activities.

Ineligible expenses include:

Computers, laptops or tablets
Textbooks
Video production
Audio-visual equipment
Summer projects, clubs, or after school programs
Education research
Salaries
Facilities maintenance
General operating expenses
Capital projects

Project Categories

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Applicants may choose to apply for funding for the following types of project-based learning.

Energy
Engineering/Design/3D
Environment
Genetics/DNA
Health/Medicine/Biology
Makerspace
Math
Robotics
Rockets
STEM (Other)
Technology

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

Proof of organization’s eligibility
Signed Principal Signature Form

Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program

American Water has been providing water and wastewater services since 1886. Since 2012, their Charitable Foundation has awarded $12 million in grants and matching funds to programs in their communities.

The Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program provides funding in three areas: Water, People and Communites. Applications for Workforce Readiness and STEM Education are due by September 30, 2023.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
K-12 public schools
Colleges and universities

Applicants must also operate in or directly benefit an American Water service territory.

Programs

Workforce Readiness

Eligibile projects under Workforce Readiness will focus on:

General career readiness
Financial and business literacy
Positive youth development
Mentoring
Life skills

Priority consideration will be given to programs that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

STEM Education

Eligible projects under STEM Education are in-school and extracurricular programs for underserved students. Priority consideration will be given to programs that include opportunities for American Water employees to volunteer.

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Community impact
Project scope
Project feasibility
Project sustainability
Project budget
Measurable impact
Community presence

Classics for Kids Foundation Grants

The Classics for Kids Foundation was established in 1998 in response to nationwide budget cuts to music education programs. Through their grants program, they have awarded over $2.6 million to 429 programs in all 50 states to purchase string instruments.

Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. Remaining due dates in 2023 are September 30 and December 31. This grant does require matching funds and can not make up more than 50% of the total budget.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations in the United States with a nonprofit status who work with youth in Kindergarten – Grade 12.

Allowable Expenses

This grant is to be used exclusively for the purchase of quality string instruments. CFKF works with Kirk Violins and prefers to place orders through them. If you choose to order through a different company, CFKF will need to see a price list to ensure that they are comparable to Kirk’s.

Application Requirements

All applications must include

A copy of the applicant’s IRS Letter of Determination
A letter of support from the applicant organization’s governing body
A letter of support from someone outside the applicant organization such as a parent, school administrator, or music educator

Submission

Completed applications can be emailed to info@classicsforkids.org or mailed to CFKF, P.O. Box 5977, Holliston, MA 01746.

Park Foundation

The Park Foundation is a family-run foundation established in 1966 by Roy H. Park. They are dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable society across the United States and in their hometown of Ithaca, NY.

The Foundation offers grants in 8 priority areas: Democracy, Civic Participation, Media, Environment, Animal Welfare, Sustainable Ithaca, Community Needs, and School Food and Nutrition. Eligibility varies by funding area.

Letters of interest are not required, but are highly recommended. After submitting your LOI, do not submit a full proposal until you hear from a Foundation staff member. LOI’s can be submitted at any time. Proposals are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Upcoming due dates are: September 22, 2023, and January 5, 2024.

Funding Priorities

Democracy

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Expanding voting access
Advocating for reform at the local, state, and federal levels
Ending partisan gerrymandering
Eliminating dark money in elections
Holding government officials accountable
Overturning Citizen’s United
Supporting a field of diverse, young leaders
Promoting progressive agendas

Civic Participation

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Working to stop voter suppression
State-based groups educating, motivating, and mobilizing voters
National and state groups protecting voters’ rights and election integrity

Media

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Public broadcasting
Investigative journalism
Media policy

Environment

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations working on a national level or in New York State.

Clean Water: Prioritized Activities

Investment in publicly owned and operated water utilities
Reduced bottled water consumption
Strong, enforced policies
Empowering people to defend their right to clean water

Energy

Grants under this category are open to state-level organizations in New York for:

Advocacy
Policy development
Organizing
Corporate responsibility

Animal Welfare

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States working on projects of national significance.

Focus Areas

Indigenous wildlife management
Organizing, educating, and advocating on behalf of endangered species and ecosystems
National and regional efforts to preserve birds, pollinators, whales, and wolves

Sustainable Ithaca

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Ithaca and Tompkins County, NY.

Program Priorities

Ecosystem conservation
Energy and climate change
Environmental education
Smart growth

Community Needs

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County, NY.

Program Priorities

Developing interventions in partnership with low income residents
Identifying barriers to success and implementing programs to overcome them
Tailoring programs using data about subpopulations to ensure needs are being met

School Food and Nutrition

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County, NY.

Goal

Breaking the self-reinforcing cycle of poverty, hunger, poor health, negative social and academic impacts, and limited future opportunities.

The Les Paul Foundation

The Les Paul Foundation upholds the legacy of legendary inventor and guitarist Les Paul by supporting music education, innovation in music production, and hearing related medical research.

Applications are due twice a year on January 15th and September 15th. First time grants are generally $1,500 – $2,000, but there is no maximum or minimum.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States, such as:

Music education organizations
Public and private schools
Museums

Program Types

Examples of programs eligibile for funding under this grant include:

STEM/STEAM programs that emphasize innovation and align with Les Paul’s work
After school science and music programs that align with Les Paul’s work
Music recording and music industry education programs
Museum exhibits about Les Paul with collaboration with Foundation
Medical research on hearing impairment and tinnitus

All applications must describe how their project will be used to share Les Paul’s story.

Submission

Completed applications can be emailed to info@lespaulfoundation.org or faxed to 212-687-4457. Please include a copy of your IRS determination letter.

TJX U.S. Foundation

TJX is the parent company of U.S. retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, Home Goods, and Home Sense. Their U.S. Foundation supports projects that help children and families build a better future.

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time to express interest in funding. Full applications are by invitation only.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

Have been a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit for at least 1 year
Provide services within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office
Have not received funding from TJX in the past year

Program Areas

Basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter
School success programs – opportunities for at-risk, pre-K through 12th grade youth to access programs
Workforce readiness training – for at-risk youth ages 16-24
Safety from domestic violence – shelter, prevention, and services

Ineligible Expenses

The TJX U.S. Foundation does not fund:

General operating funds
Capital campaigns
Salaries
Scholarships
Sponsorships

American Association of University Women: Community Action Grants

The American Association of University Women was founded in 1881 to assist women in higher education and encourage more women to pursue college degrees. They continue this legacy through their Community Action Grants, which support projects to promote education and equity for women and girls.

Awards of $3,000 – $10,000 are available for Project support or General operating support. Applications are accepted each year August 1 – December 1.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Individuals
501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Universities
AAUW branches
AAUW state organizations

Grant Types

Project support – all eligible applicants may request project support to fund specific programming
General operating support – Nonprofits may request general operating support to fund indirect expenses to further their overall mission

Allowable Expenses

Project Support

Project support funds may be used for:

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Professional fees or honoraria
Temporary clerical assistance
Facility leases
Equipment
Transportation
Food and lodging
Postage and shipping
Office supplies and printing
Audiovisual materials
Advertising

Projects support funds may not be used for:

Salaries or stipends
Tuition
Scholarships
Construction or renovations
General operating expenses
Fundraising

General Operating Support

The use of general operating support is largely at the grantee’s discretion. Examples include:

Budgetary gaps
Supplementing salaries and benefits
Overhead expenses
Technology
Communications
Fundraising

Selection Criteria

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All submission will be reviewed based on:

Relevance to the AAUW mission
Strength of the applicant’s work and project rationale
Clarity and creativity of the work or project design
Sustainability and impact
Feasibility
Strength of the evaluation plan
Strength of the dissemination plan
Overall proposal quality
Potential to leverage additional funds and/or involve the community
Individual or organization’s leadership are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds