Category Archives: Education

Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant

The Whole Kids Foundation was founded by Whole Foods Market to encourage kids to eat healthier. They understand that kids are more likely to eat foods if they feel connected to them. By learning about where food comes from and growing it themselves, kids become more adventurous and willing to try new things. The Garden Grants Program was created to help make those connections happen.

Grants of $3,000 are available for new or existing gardens that provide educational opportunities to K-12 students in the United States, US territories, and Canada. The grant portal will open on February 1, 2023 and close on March 1. Applicants will be notified by August 1, 2023 and checks will go out in September.

Past grantees who received their award in 2021 or earlier may reapply. Each school or organization may only receive two Garden Grants total.

Eligibility

Applicant

The Garden Grant program is open to:

Public schools and public charter schools serving K-12 students. Early education sites are only eligible if they also serve older grades.
Private schools and private charter schools with an official non-profit status
Tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools
Homeschool programs with an official non-profit status or a non-profit community partner to apply on their behalf
School districts
Officially recognized non-profits who have either partnered with a school or who provide programming to K-12 aged youth
Government and tribal entities who provide programming to K-12 aged youth

Project

To receive a Garden Grant, projects must grow edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs and actively engage at least 10 youth on a regular basis.

Allowable Expenses

Funds must be spent on supporting an educational garden. Up to 30% or $900 may be spent to attend a garden training.

Funds may not be used for field trips, travel, or purchasing property.

Application Requirements

All applications must have

A community partner totally separate from the applicant school or organization. Partners are not require to provide financial support, but should be involved as volunteers, advisers, or through in-kind donations.
A signed letter of support on official letterhead from the School Principal or Executive Director of the applicant organization.
Garden photos which should include pictures of the space as it currently is and drawings of the proposed new garden or expansion of a pre-existing one.

Upcoming Webinars

The Whole Kids Foundation will be providing three webinars to help applicants.

Information Webinar for Schools – Wednesday, February 1st at 3 PM EST

Information Webinar for Organizations – Thursday, February 2nd at 3 PM EST

Q&A Webinar for All – Wednesday, February 15th at 3 PM EST

VegFund Special Projects Grant

VegFund is an international organization dedicated to providing assistance to vegan advocates around the world. They hope to promote a vegan lifestyle, with no animal products or exploitation, to all people on Earth. They do this through grants such as the Special Projects Grant, which is intended for long term projects that reach a wider audience over a specific timeline.

Past awards have varied greatly in size and there is no maximum or minimum request. Awards are based on the type of project and number of people impact. Applicants are encouraged to make a strong case for their project and the amount requested, but to also know that they may not receive the full amount.

There is likewise no limit to the number of grants an applicant can apply for. In 2023, applications are due through the web portal by April 14th, July 14th, or October 13th at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

Applicant

Applicants must be either non-profit organizations or individuals 18 years of age or older. They may come from anywhere in the world, but applicants outside the United States should expect their review time to be longer due to U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements. Following a vegan lifestyle is not required.

Project

Projects must be focused on promoting or educating on a vegan/plant-based lifestyle. All aspects must be vegan with no animal exploitation. Events or programs must also be open to the public. Private events will not be funded.

Grant-Making Priorities

VegFund has identified the following priorities for 2023.

Educational programs on plant-based nutrition for medical and/or health professionals and students
Partnerships with organizations such as schools hospitals, and other places of business to offer plant-based options in cafeterias
Vegan challenges and mentorship programs that gather information through pre- and post-activity surveys
Education and outreach in institutional settings
Educational programs and curriculum that concentrate on the impacts of animal agriculture on environmental issues including climate change

Allowable Expenses

General Operating Support – organizations may receive a single, one time grant to pay for staff, websites, and other organizational needs.
Educational Programs and Curriculum – An outline of the curriculum must be included in your application and you must have at least one year of experience working with the target population.
Mentored Campaigns and Vegan Challenges – Such projects must have a well developed marketing strategy to reach a unique audience.
Video Production and Other Content – Funding for any kind of content is very limited, but proposals for new and different products with well developed marketing strategies may be considered.
Marketing – Approval may be given for well developed plans that will reach a large audience.
Food – In general, food should be sample-sized; some exceptions made be made for larger meals. Grant funds may not be used to purchase alcohol.

Evaluation

When assessing your application, reviewers will ask the following questions:

Is there a well developed plan already in place?
Is there a full budget?
Is there a specific timeline?
Is there a team in place to carry out the project?
Is there a well-defined, non-vegan target audience?
Does the project convey a powerful message on the benefits of a vegan lifestyle?
Are there well defined goals and a plan for evaluating success?

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Grants

FIRST is a youth robotics program designed to inspire the next generation of leaders in science and technology. They do this through hands-on learning activities and exciting team competitions. Participants tackle real world issues while building teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills.

There are multiple ways for youth of all ages to participate in FIRST competitions.

FIRST LEGO League – STEM related challenges using LEGO brand products

Discover – Youth aged 4-6 perform hands-on tasks using DUPLO bricks.
Explore – Youth aged 6-10 learn the basics of engineering, design, and coding using LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 kits.
Challenge – Youth aged 9-16 use LEGO Mindstorm robots to perform missions that require more advanced engineering and coding skills.

FIRST Tech Challenge – Youth in grades 7-12 work in teams of up to 15 to build and code robots using Java.

FIRST Robotics Competition – With limited time and resources, teams of high school students build industrial sized robots capable of competing on a challenging playing field.

FIRST Grants

FIRST has four grant types available for the 2022-2023 season.

Equity and Access Grant

Due: September 16, 2022 by 6 pm ET

This grant is available to FIRST Robotics Competition teams and US-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams. Between $1,000 and $5,000 is available for teams whose members are female and/or come from underrepresented populations.

American FRC teams can spend their grant funds on whatever they need. They will receive half upon receipt of the grant and the other half will be held until their Impact Report is submitted. FTC and international FRC teams may only spend their funds on registration fees or FTC products. They will receive the full award amount up front.

To be eligible, teams must registered for the 2022-2023 season with two screened mentors. Last year’s recipients may not receive this grant again. Your application must also contain an Equity Action plan which includes goals from the Inspiring Success For All training.

FIRST Robotics Competition New Team Grant

Closes: October 31, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET

Applications for this grant will be accepted through October and awarded on a first come, first served basis. Grantees will receive $4,000 for the 2023 season and $2,000 for 2024 which must be used on registration fees. Eligible teams must either be Rookie Teams or New Teams formed under specified conditions.

Rookie teams can have up to two experienced mentors and up to five youth participants with previous FIRST Robotics Competition experience. New Teams can have more than two experienced mentors and more than five experienced participants as long as they were not formed by a Separation or Combination

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Teams are responsible for raising all additional funds needed and must include a fundraising plan in their application. They must also be registered for the 2023 season before funds can be applied.

FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Team Grant

Closes: November 22, 2022

This $750, need based grant is only open to rookie teams in North America or on U.S. military bases. Applications will be accepted through November 22nd and awarded until all funds are spent. Grant funds may be used on registration fees and products in the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Teams must be registered for the 2023 season before funds can be applied.

Dow FIRST Grant

Closes: December 2, 2022

Dow will pay half of registration fees for teams that are located in communities with Dow sites or offices and/or have a mentor who is a Dow employee. This grant is available to teams competing in any FIRST competition type, except LEGO League Discover, but they must be affiliated with a school or nonprofit organization. Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis.

Teams may earn additional funding by

Developing a plan to increase the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity of their team. (15%)
Describing one or may ways they are engaged with their community. (15%)
Coming from a low-income community. (20%)

Teams must be registered for the 2022-2023 season before funds can be applied.

Shakespeare in American Communities

Since 2003, Shakespeare in American Communities has funded over 14,500 performances in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This program, from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest, helps non-profit Shakespeare companies bring the Bard’s work to American middle and high schools and juvenile justice facilities.

The required but non-binding online Intent to Apply form is due by December 2, 2021. The full application is due by February 2, 2022. Organizations may apply in both categories, but must submit separate applications and keep projects separate in terms of funding and programming.

Awards for school-based performances are typically $25,000 for up to 40 recipients and require a 100% match. Programs for juvenile justice facilities receive $15,000 – $25,000 and have no matching requirement. Six to ten of these awards are granted annually. Activities in both categories should take place between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023.

Eligibility

In School Performances

Applicants wishing to conduct performances and educational activities in schools must:

Be a U.S. based professional theater company that has either a 501(c)3 status or is a unit of state or local government.
Have performed works by Shakespeare or other classically-based works in the past five years.
Have at least two years experience in performing for and providing educational activities to middle and/or high school students.

Community theater groups and college Theater Departments are not eligible, nor are organizations or venues who produce performances.

Juvenile Justice Performances

Applicants wishing to conduct performances and educational activities in juvenile justice facilities must:

Be a U.S. based professional theater company that has either a 501(c)3 status or is a unit of state or local government.
Have at least two years experience providing theater education through the juvenile justice system.

Program Requirements

In School

Grant recipients must partner with at least five middle and/or high schools, the majority of which must serve disadvantaged youth. This disadvantage and limited access to the performing arts may be due to race, ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status, or disability, among other potential barriers.

Performances may be of a full play by Shakespeare, an adaptation of his work, or consist of a collection of his work including scenes and monologue and/or sonnets. Educational activities should examine his work in a modern context. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, performances and activities can be conducted in-person, socially distanced, or virtually.

Juvenile Justice

Grant recipients must work with the juvenile justice system to bring their programming to individuals who meet the definition of a juvenile offender – anyone 18 or under who has been found guilty by the juvenile justice system. Performances and educational activities may take place in detention centers, court appointed programs, treatment centers, and/or educational programs for juvenile offenders.

Grantees must also work with at least two individuals with experience providing theater education to juvenile offenders. These teachers, artists, or other personnel must lead the educational activities. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, performances and activities can be conducted in-person, socially distanced, or virtually.

Selection Criteria

In School

Applications in this category will be reviewed based on:

Artistic excellence and merit
Quality of educational activities
Ability to reach the minimum five schools
Overall capacity to successfully administer the project

Juvenile Justice

Applications in this category will be reviewed based on:

Artistic excellence and merit
Ability to work with the juvenile justice system
Overall capacity to successfully administer the project

Applying

In School

Juvenile Justice

Applicants in both categories should refer to their diversity, equity, and inclusion plans throughout the application. Consideration should also be given to how relevant the production and educational activities are to the audience.

Environmental Education Local Grants Program

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Education will be distributing approximately 30-35 total Environmental Education Local Grants through their 10 Regional Offices. These grants will be for no more than $100,000 and no less than $50,000 each for a total amount of approximately $3 million. Applications are due by December 6, 2021 and require a 25% match.

Funds from this grant will support local environmental education programs that increase awareness about environmental issues and enable the public to make informed decisions about environmental action. Exactly 25% of the funds awarded must be used to grant subawards of $5,000 or less. Projects should start no sooner than July 1, 2022 and last between 1 and 2 years.

Eligibility

Organization

The following eligibility requirements pertain to both the applicant or “prime” award recipient and recipients of subawards.

Eligible applicants include local education agencies, colleges and universities, and state education and environmental agencies. Non-profits with a 501(C)3 designation and noncommercial educational broadcasting companies licensed by the Federal Communications Commission are also eligible. For profit businesses are ineligible.

Applicants must be located in the United States or its territories. At least 50% of their educational work must be done in United States or its territories. A combination of the US and Canada or Mexico is also allowed.

Project

Eligible projects must do all of the following:

Address at least one of the EPA educational priorities
Address at least one of the EPA Administrator’s environmental priorities
Satisfy the definition of “environmental education”

1. EPA Educational Priorities

Community Projects

Educating the public on the benefits of using community partnerships to address environmental issues. Such issues may include, but are not limited to, climate change, fire and flood prevention, ecosystem health, and soil and water quality. Projects need not take place in a formal educational setting. Experiential, place-based, outdoor, and service learning activities may serve as the main teaching tool.

Career Development

These projects encourage interest in careers in environmental fields, such as climate change, conservation, and natural resources. Applicants may do this by directly working with students or by training their teachers and community leaders on how to provide environmental education.

Environmental Education Capacity Building

Increasing the ability of organizations to develop sustainable environmental education programs. This may be done on a state, multi-state, or regional level.

Environmental Justice

Increasing understanding of the undue environmental, health, and climate-related effects experienced by underserved communities. The goal is to expand participants’ ability to make meaningful contributions to future discussions on the topic.

2. EPA Administrator’s Environmental Priorities

Addressing Climate Change and Improving Air Quality

This priority focuses on protecting the health of Americans and the ecosystems that sustain them. Efforts can include addressing climate change, reducing air pollution from industries and vehicles, increasing energy efficiency, and protecting the ozone layer.

Ensuring Clean and Safe Water

This priority focuses on maintaining and restoring clean water for human consumption, recreation, and wildlife habitat. This includes both fresh and saltwater bodies.

Cleaning Up our Communities by Revitalizing Land and Preventing Contamination

This priority focuses on environmentally conscious methods of waste disposal and the reuse/redevelopment of potentially contaminated land.

3. Satisfy the definition of “environmental education”

The EPA differentiates between environmental education and environmental information and outreach. The latter may be part of the former, but they are not enough on their own. Environmental information merely increases the knowledge or awareness of an environmental issue. Outreach provides information and asks people to take certain actions.

Environmental education does not promote any particular position or action on environmental issues. Rather, it teaches people to look at the issue critically, examining all factors involved. They are then able to make their own decisions about what actions to take. It is also a lifelong process and includes both formal and informal educational settings.

Ineligible Activities

The following activities do not qualify for funding under this grant.

Training environmental management professionals
Activities that only qualify as information and outreach, not education
Advocating for any specific viewpoint or course of action
Lobbying or other political activities
Non-educational research and development
Construction

Applying

Submit your application on grants.gov by 11:59 pm EST on December 6, 2021.

Be sure to apply through the solicitation for your EPA Regional Office. There are 10 different notices, one for each of the 10 Offices. It’s very important that you choose the right one.

As part of the application, you will be asked to identify short, medium, and long term outputs of your project. These can include such measures as

Number of people recruited for the project
Number and type of lessons, workshops, and field trips held
Number and type of educational materials developed
Number and type of actions taken to benefit the natural environment

Examples of Short-Term Outcomes include

Developing critical thinking skills
Increasing awareness of an a local issue
Increased interest in careers in environmental fields

Examples of Medium-Term Outcomes include

Increasing the number of schools with environmental education programs
Increasing amount of time spent on environmental education in the classroom and/or time spent in nature

Examples of Long-Term Outcomes include

Ecosystem restoration
Increased biodiversity
Increased access for educators to environmental education training