Category Archives: Education

The J.W. Couch Foundation

Jesse W. Couch was a World War II veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. The Foundation established in his name carries on his legacy by investing in projects in Preservation, Education, and Wellness.

They meet twice a year to review submitted applications. The second due date for 2023 is September 15.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
For profit businesses in the United States working in Preservation, Education, or Wellness

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

General operating support
Specific programming
New product development for social entrepreneurs

Program Areas

Preservation

Eligible applications under Preservation may focus on:

Historic Preservation – conserving historic resources to cultivate the importance of community
Wildlife Conservation – protecting land and water so all life on Earth can thrive
Renewable Energy – expanding solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal power to prevent catastrophic global temperatures
Food Management – reducing emissions from all levels of food production: growing, transporting, and waste disposal
Transportation – transforming the transportation industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Waste Management – shifting consumption to reduce single use products and the need to obtain raw materials

Education

Eligible applications under Education may focus on:

Early Childhood Education – creative approaches to education such as life skills, project based learning, and increased outdoor time
21st Century Education – teaching essential skills for modern times, such as critical thinking, collaboration, oral and written communication, and entrepreneurship
Teachers – investing in teachers

Wellness

Eligible applications under Wellness may focus on:

Mental Health – assisting people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
Digital Wellbeing – promoting a more balanced approach to technology use
Get Outside – promoting the health benefits of outdoor activities

Kids in Need Foundation: Supply a Teacher

The Kids in Need Foundation recognizes that the majority of teachers in the United States use their own money to purchase classroom supplies. Their Supply a Teacher program lets donors sponsor a teacher, school, or district so educators can focus on education.

Applications to receive $250 worth of school supplies are accepted on a continual basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to educators in the United States at schools where at least 50% of students are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program.

Application

To apply, teachers must submit a story, in 500 words or fewer, explaining how receiving these supplies will impact their classroom and students.

Photographs, although not required, are highly encouraged as they make one’s profile stand out.

Award

Sponsored teachers will receive two boxes of supplies. All teachers will receive:

Pencils
Pencil pouches
Folders
Notebooks
Sharpeners
Erasers
Rulers
Pens

Other supplies, such as crayons, colored pencils, and highlighters, will be based on the grade level taught by the applicant.

Kathryn B McQuade Foundation

The Kathryn B McQuade Foundation was founded in 2013 to support organizations working to improve the lives of women and children. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed on a first come basis. Most awards are $5,000 – $50,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or entities with a fiscal sponsor who is a 501(c)3. GuideStar ratings are used to evaluate applicants.

Focus Areas

Women

Assistance given to women is paid back multifold by the corresponding gains for their children and communities. Applications in this area should focus on helping women gain financial independence through activities such as education and job training.

Children

Applications in this area should focus on education and skills training that will help children achieve their potential and break the cycle of poverty.

Submission

Completed applications can be emailed to robert.r.fox@bofa.com with ‘Katherine McQuade Foundation’ in the subject line or mailed to:

Robert R. Fox

Vice President, Philanthropic Solutions

The Kathryn B. McQuade Foundation

VA2-300-12-92

P.O. Box 26688

Richmond, VA 23261-6688

Sony Corporate Giving

Sony is dedicated to improving people’s lives by fostering innovation through creativity and technology. Their corporate giving primarily focuses on Art, Culture, Technology, and the Environment, particularly education within those focus areas.

Requests are accepted on a continual basis. No minimum or maximum amount is listed.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States.

Sony does not make donations to:

Partisan political committees, organizations, or candidates
Religious activities
Labor unions
Lobbying groups

Allowable Expenses

Donated funds may be spent on:

General operating supporting
Program support

They may not be spent on:

Endowments
Capital campaigns
Testimonial dinners

Pillars of Giving

Arts/Culture
Civics/Community
Disaster relief
Education
Environment
Health/Human services
Social justice/Diversity, equity, & inclusion

U.S. EPA Clean School Bus Program

The Clean School Bus Program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award $400 million in grant funds to replace existing school buses with clean and zero emission (ZE) alternatives. Children, bus drivers, and other school personnel are exposed to emissions from standard buses with internal combustion engines, increasing their risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. This program will accelerate the move to cleaner, healthier options.

The grant is being offered through two sub-programs to meet the diverse needs of school districts across the country. The School District Sub-Program is open to school districts and Tribal entities and the Third Party Sub-Program is open to outside parties serving at least four school districts. Maximum award amount varies by the type of buses to be purchased and whether the applicant meets one or more of the prioritization criteria. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 22, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

School District Sub-Program

This sub-program is open to:

Public school districts
Tribal entities responsible for providing bus service to one or more school funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Third Party Sub-Program

This sub-program is open to:

Nonprofit school transportation associations
Eligible contractors as defined by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (42 U.S.C. 16091)

Disadvantaged communities will be given priority consideration to mitigate environmental justice concerns that have made them more vulnerable to adverse health impacts. These include:

Zero Emission Bus (https://frontiergroup.org/resources/electric-school-buses-and-grid/)

High-need school districts
Low-income areas
Rural school districts
School districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
School districts that receive basic support payments for children who live on Native American reservations

Available Funds

There is no cost share requirement, but applicants who can show that they have or intend to leverage other funds will receive additional evaluation points.

	Zero Emissions Class 7+	Zero Emissions Class 3-6	Compressed Natural Gas Class 7+	Compressed Natural Gas Class 3-6	Propane Class 7+	Propane Class 3-6
Buses serving school districts that meet one or more prioritization criteria	Up to $395,000*	Up to $315,000*	Up to $45,000	Up to $30,000	Up to $35,000	Up to $30,000
Buses serving school districts that are not prioritized	Up to $250,000*	Up to $195,000*	Up to $30,000	Up to $20,000	Up to $25,000	Up to $20,000

* Bus and charging infrastructure

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be spent on:

Replacement school buses
Charging infrastructure
Delivery costs
Performance monitoring software and equipment
Training, consulting, and warranty costs

Compressed Natural Gas Bus (https://www.blue-bird.com/buses/allamerican/all-american-re-cng-bus)

Grant funds may not be spent on:

Leasing vehicles or equipment
Emissions testing
Engine replacement/repowers

NEA Grants for Arts Projects: Arts Education

The National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects program funds activities all over the United States to expose as many people as possible to the arts. The Arts Education grant is based on research that shows arts experiences help underprivileged youth overcome those disadvantages. They are more likely to succeed socially and academically.

Arts Education grants are given in three categories – Direct Learning, Professional Development, and Collective Impact. All grants require a 1:1 match of nonfederal funds for requests between $10,000 and $100,000. Part 1 is due through Grants.gov by July 6, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Part 2 can be submitted through the NEA Applicant Portal July 11-18, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Grantees will be announced in April 2024, at the earliest, and projects will begin June 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
State and local government entities
Federally recognized Native American Tribes

Grant Types

Direct Learning

Direct Learning grants are intended to support arts instruction, typically to youth in Pre-K through 12th grade. Funded projects should engage with participants over an extended period to increase their knowledge of different art forms and to create their own works of art. Learning should be assessed in accordance with state or national arts education standards.

There is, however, a good bit of flexibility in how Direct Learning projects can be carried out. They may take place:

In person or virtually
During or after school
At school or other locations such as arts organizations, community centers, makers spaces, or juvenile detention centers
Through the school district, arts organizations, or other agencies in partnership with artists

Professional Development

Professional Development grants fund opportunities for educators of all types and community leaders to increase their own knowledge and skills. Projects should include arts experiences and in-depth study of the subject matter. The goal is, of course, to grow their capacity to provide high quality arts instruction.

Collective Impact

Collective Impact grants fund transformative projects that provide access to and participation in the arts over the long term. These projects are large scale and involve a broader range of students such an entire school, school district, community, or state. They should also have the potential to be shared and replicated.

In the application, identify your project as Emerging or Sustaining and what phase you’re in. All phases are eligible for funding.

Data – Data collection and presentation helps to identify inequities and inform key stakeholders of the needs that should be addressed.
Partnership – Partners from different sectors bring different skills and knowledge to the project. It’s important that partners represent the population to be served and their needs.
Planning – Logic models and strategic plans provide a blueprint for the project with specific goals, established roles for each partner, and shared strategies.
Shared Measurement – A shared measurement system creates assessment tools for all partners to evaluate the success of the project.
Programming – The final phase is the execution of the project plan including activities with students and evaluation.

Allowable Expenses

In addition to arts supplies and materials, grantees may use funds for technology upgrades necessary to provide virtual programming. This includes:

Hardware
Software
Audio-visual equipment
Increased bandwidth

Grant funds may not be used for:

General operating support
Publishing not focused on modern work and authors
Social activities
Awards
Commercial enterprises
Construction or renovation

Application Process

Part One

The Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organization Form must be completed and submitted to Grants.gov by July 6.

Part Two

Part 2 of the application will contain by far the majority of the information about your project plan and budget. Applicants will receive a link to the NEA Applicant Portal after they have submitted Part 1. Application questions as well as instructions on how to complete the entire application process are available to help you prepare at: Arts Education.

Enhancing Student Mathematics Learning through the Use of Tools and Technology Grant

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers the Enhancing Student Mathematics Learning through the Use of Tools and Technology Grant to promote innovative methods in math instruction.

Applications for up to $3,000 are due by May 1, 2023. Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds from other sources.

Eligibility

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

Teach students in Pre-K through 12th Grade
Teach Math at least 50% of the school day
Have not received this grant before
Are members of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics*

*Non-members may participate in grant funded activities, but cannot be the primary applicant.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be spent on:

Books
Calculators
Tablets
Computers
Other related tools and materials
Professional development in the use of new tools and technology

Evaluation

All applications will be scored based on the following rubric:

Application Element	Maximum Points
Proposal
Describes mathematics to be taught through the innovative use of tools, technology, and/or materials to aid in visualizing and concretizing mathematical abstractions	5
Describes the tools, technology, materials, and/or professional development, if needed	5
Overall clarity and creativity of the plan	5
. Outlines anticipated impact of the materials on teachers’ learning	5
. Outlines anticipated impact of the materials on students’ learning	5
Budget
Includes an itemized and realistic budget in line-item table format. 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 applicant’s employment status, indicates strong support for the proposal, and the applicant’s ability to accomplish it	5

NPS-21st CCLC Greening STEM Grants

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports local level activities that provide academic enrichment during non-school hours. This grant is a chance for units of the National Park Service to partner with those centers to implement STEM programming in low-income and underrepresented school districts. Grants are presented in collaboration with the US Department of Education and the National Environmental Education Foundation.

Applications for the 2023-24 school year are due April 30, 2023. Projects involving one 21st CCLC site may apply for $10,000 – $15,000. Projects involving more than one site may request up to $30,000. Funding is also available through NEEF for AmeriCorps VISTA placements at individual sites.

Eligibility

This grant is open to units of the National Park Service located within 2 hours of a 21st CCLC site. Applicants are also required to partner with:

A 501(c)3 nonprofit (or organization working through a fiscal agent) whose mission is serving the applicant NPS unit
A school already receiving 21st CCLC funding

Program Priorities

Expanding the capacity of partner NPS units and 21st CCLC sites to provide high quality program in alignment with their state education standards
Building a culture among 21st CCLC sites of using the environment as a resource for improving student learning
Increasing use of NEEF’s Greening STEM approach at 21st CCLC sites

Targeted Outcomes

Educators and students show understanding of STEM concepts and applications, scientific inquiry, and environmental monitoring processes
Educators are confident in their ability to lead environmental monitoring and citizen science activities/discussions
Students show confidence in their ability to participate in environmental monitoring and citizen science activities/discussions
Students show interest in participating in classes, activities, or discussions related to general STEM and/or environmental science
Students are motivated to pursue additional STEM-related classes, activities, and/or careers

Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants:
Capital Projects

The Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants: Capital Projects program from the National Endowment for the Humanities awards matching funds for organizations to create and protect access to the humanities.

Three award levels are available, each with its own funding range, performance period, and matching requirement. Applicants have the option to submit a draft application to challenge@neh.gov by April 5, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. This draft review will not impact funding decisions but may prove useful for refining your submission. The final deadline is May 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations in the United States established as a:

Nonprofit with 501(c)3 status
Accredited public or nonprofit institution of higher learning
State or local government
Federally recognized Native American Tribe

Applicants must also work part or full time in the humanities and support humanities research, education, preservation, or public programming.

Award Levels

Level 1

Funding Range – Up to $150,000
Performance Period – Up to 2 years
Matching Requirement – 1:1

Level 2

Funding Range – $150,001 – $500,000
Performance Period – 2 – 5 years
Matching Requirement – 3:1

Chair’s Special Awards

Funding Range – $500,001 – $1 million
Performance Period – 2 – 5 years
Matching Requirement – 4:1

Chair’s Special Awards are for ambitious projects with the potential to have a significant, long term impact. They are rare with only one or two given per year.

Allowable Expenses

Capital projects under this program are intended for the purchase, design, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities for humanities activities. This includes:

https://pixabay.com/users/borevina-9505414/

Hiring consultants
Planning and conceptual designs
Developing historic preservation plans
Site and infrastructure assessment
Equipment purchase and installation
Critical building systems (electrical, HVAC, utilities, security)
Fundraising (up to 10% of total project funds)

Funds may not be spent on:

General operating expenses
Indirect costs
Fellowships, scholarships, or stipends
Construction on buildings whose primary purpose is anything other than humanities activities
Projects that are not within the humanities
Lobbying

Matching Requirement

Applicants that meet general eligibility requirements must match their Challenge Grant with third party, non-federal funds at the ratios for each level discussed above. However, certain applicants are eligible for a 1:1 match regardless of their award level. These are:

https://pixabay.com/users/652234-652234/

Federally recognized Native American Tribes
Native Hawaiian nonprofit organizations
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Public or nonprofit Hispanic-Serving institutions of higher education
Public or nonprofit two-year community colleges

Matching funds do not have to be secured at the time the application is submitted. Fundraising can begin no more than five months prior to the May 17th deadline and continue through the performance period. Grant recipients are only required to have the funds to match the amount they will receive from the Challenge Grant for that year. For example, if you receive $25,000 in Year 1 and have a 3:1 match requirement, you will need $75,000 secured for that year.

Application Requirements

All applications must have:

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance – Short Organizational
Supplementary Cover Sheet for NEH Grant Programs
Form SF-424C – Budget Information Construction Programs
Project/Performance Site Location Form
Letters of commitment or support

Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant

The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Initiative has been supporting high school students as they use hands-on problem solving to address real world problems since 2003. Teams incorporate STEM concepts into working prototypes based on collaboration with potential users. Fifteen teams have even received a patent for their inventions.

Grant applications are now open for InvenTeams preparing to compete during the 2023-2024 school year. Ten teams will be chosen to receive $7,500 to fund their work and present it at EurekaFest in June 2024. The initial application is due by April 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Finalists will be invited to submit a full application which will be due by Sept 5, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to STEM educators in the United States who work with high school aged students. This includes licensed teachers and informal teachers from nonprofits who work with a school. Educators from other disciplines are encouraged to serve as assistant mentors to a team.

Applicants are not required to have a team of students in place to submit part one of the application. You do however, need to have a recruitment plan.

Priorities

In 2023, Lemelson-MIT is making addressing historic inequities a priority. They recognize that women, BIPOC individuals, and low income people have been and still are underrepresented in the world of inventions. Applications from educators who work with any of these marginalized groups and/or teach at a school with a high percentage of disenfranchised students will be given preference.

Requirements

All adults who will be working with minors must have cleared a background check in the past 5 years.
A letter of support from an administrator must be submitted with the initial application in April. You will request a letter as part of the application on Survey Monkey Apply and they will email your administrator.
A resume for the Primary Applicant must be uploaded to the initial application.
Students must be involved in preparing the second part of the application, due in September.

Assistance

Lemelson-MIT will host four webinars on Zoom before the April deadline. All sessions will be held at 7 PM ET.

March 7th
March 21st
April 4th
April 18th

Further questions can be sent to inventeams@mit.edu.