Category Archives: Education

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 music	5
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 it	5
	Total = 36

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

Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/active-children-doing-balancing-exercises-8613312/

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

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/students-wearing-protective-goggles-5427865/

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.