Category Archives: Education

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:

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 3-6Compressed Natural Gas Class 7+Compressed Natural Gas Class 3-6Propane 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 $45,000Up to $30,000Up to $35,000Up to $30,000
Buses serving
school districts
that are not
prioritized		Up to $250,000*Up to $195,000*Up to $30,000Up to $20,000Up to $25,000Up 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

Image by Anil sharma

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

Image by Bojan Stanulov

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:

Image by cjsmaier
  • 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 ElementMaximum 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 plan5
. Outlines anticipated impact of the materials on teachers’ learning5
. Outlines anticipated impact of the materials on students’ learning5
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:

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:

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

  1. All adults who will be working with minors must have cleared a background check in the past 5 years.
  2. 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.
  3. A resume for the Primary Applicant must be uploaded to the initial application.
  4. 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.

MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation

In 2016, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association established the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation to encourage participation in youth baseball and softball. Since then, they have given out millions of dollars in grant money to increase access to the sports in and outside the United States.

Letters of Inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed within 60 days of receipt. The Foundation may then request additional information and/or a phone call. Applicants are encouraged to submit at least 6 months before their planned project to allow time for the grant process. Applications should be submitted to YDF@mlb.com.

The Foundation does not have a minimum or maximum request amount. However, they do prioritize submissions that have secured other funding sources.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (affiliated or not with an MLB Club)
  • Public schools
  • Municipalities
  • Native American Tribes
  • MLB Clubs

The cover letter also has an ‘Other’ option and space to categorize your organization.

Allowable Expenses

The Foundation will consider applications for:

  • Capital projects such as lighting, construction, and rennovations
  • Expenses associated with running a baseball or softball program such as equipment. uniforms, registration fees, umpires, and facility rental or maintenance
  • Educational programs focused on baseball and/or softball to encourage participation
  • Up to $5,000 for school team equipment

They will not fund:

  • Capital projects with less than 50% of funding already secured
  • Construction of restrooms, concession stands, or classrooms
  • Annual operating expenses such as salaries, insurance, and advertising
  • Travel teams (exception for programs with low-income players)
  • Scholarships
  • Capital projects or uniforms for schools

Application Requirements

All applications must contain:

Voya Unsung Heroes Awards

The Voya Unsung Heroes Award from Voya Financial has been helping innovative classroom teachers fund projects for 20 years. In 2023, applications are due through Scholarship America by 3:00 PM CT on April 28.

Fifty finalists will be chosen to receive $2,000. From these finalists, three applicants will receive bonus awards.

  • First Place – $25,000
  • Second Place – $10,000
  • Third Place – $5,000

Finalists will be notified in August and bonus award recipients will be notified by Fall.

Eligibility

This award is open to all full-time educators, principals, and staff employed by an accredited public or private K-12 school in the United States. Applications must be verified by the superintendent, principal, or direct supervisor.

Previous winners may apply again, but First Place can only be won once.

Applicants are not required to be clients of Voya Financial.

Allowable Expenses

Image by andros1234

Voya does not specify the type of project they fund, only that it should be, “effective and innovative” and “improve student learning.”

Indirect and administrative costs may not be paid for with grant funds.

Award Trends

Projects from all subject areas are encouraged to apply. However, certain areas have received funding more frequently in the past.

  • STEM – 45%
  • English – 14%
  • History and Social Sciences – 11%
  • Other – 9%
  • Career Technical Education – 8%
  • Music & Art – 7%
  • Physical Education, Nutrition & Wellness – 5%

Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grant

Since 1994, the Association of American Educators has been supporting teachers through scholarships, grants, and professional resources. With members in all 50 states, AAE is the largest non-union organization of its kind. Classroom Grants are available for up to $500 to fund activities, materials, and equipment for the classroom.

Applications are due March 1st or October 1st at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

Classroom grants are open to all full-time educators in the United States who have not received an AAE grant or scholarship in the past two years.

Applicants are not required to be AAE members, but members do receive additional points during the evaluation process. If you choose to join, that and all other member benefits will start immediately.

Six states have contests separate from the national competition. Applicants from any of those states will not be considered for a national level award. If you are an educator in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, or Washington you will need to apply through your state/regional chapter.

Allowable Expenses

Grants may be used to buy an array of items to support your classroom. Examples include

  • Books
  • Art supplies
  • Computer software
  • Audio-visual equipment
  • Lab equipment and supplies

All funds must be spent within one year of the application deadline.