Category Archives: Education

Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants on Education Program

The Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants on Education Program supports research projects that broadly contribute to the improvement of education.

Applications from anywhere in the world are due by April 30, 2024 at 12:00 PM CDT. Requests may be up to $50,000 for projects lasting 1-5 years. Cash or in-kind matches are not required.

Eligibility

This grant is open to Principle Investigators with a PhD in an academic discipline or professional field or with appropriate experience in an education research-related profession. Graduate students may assist with the project but they may not be the PI or co-PI.

Applicants must be associated with a:

Nonprofit or public institution of higher education
Public school district
Research facility
Nonprofit organization with their country’s equivalent of a 501(c)3 designation

Research Types

The Foundation welcomes creativity in scholarship and is open to many different types of research.

Methodology

Methodologies may include, but are not limited to:

Qualitative
Quantitative
Mixed-methods
Ethnographies
Computational modeling
Design-based research
Participatory methods
Historical research

Field

Proposals for research in a variety of fields is welcome, so long as it focuses on a question central to education. This may include, but is not limited to:

Anthropology
Economics
Education
History
Law
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Psychology
Sociology

Optional Supplemental Course Release

Professors with a course load of 6 or more per academic year may request an additional $10,000 to ‘buy’ a portion of their time.

Foundation for Financial Planning Grants

The Foundation for Financial Planning supports nonprofits and financial planning organizations in the U.S. connecting underserved individuals with free, quality financial planning.

Financial planning organizations may apply for $1,250 at any time. Decisions will be made within a month and money awarded immediately. Applications from nonprofit organizations are due by April 30, 2024. Grants typically range from $5,000 – $40,000 and will be sent in January 2025.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Chapters of financial planning organizations, like the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

Required Activities

All programs must:

Enlist at least one professional credentialed as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ to work for the program pro bono
Conduct one-on-one appointments between volunteer financial planners and clients
Assist underserved individuals who can’t afford quality financial planning advice

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding may be used for:

Staff time for program development, management, data collection and evaluation
Outreach and promotion
Program materials
Rental fees for space and equipment
Child care and transportation vouchers for participants
Volunteer recruitment, training, and recognition
Impact studies

Alexandra Armstrong Innovation Grant

The Alexandra Armstrong Innovation Grant is awarded to one nonprofit that has shown remarkable creativity and potential for impact with its financial planning program. All applicants are automatically considered.

USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture support projects that connect rural communitities to each other and the world using telecommunications technology.

Applications for $50,000 – $1 million over 3 years are due by April 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. There is a required 15% match of non-federal funds.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofit organizations
For profit businesses
State and local governments
Federally recognized Native American tribes
Consorita of eligible applicants

Applicants must operate in an area with a population of 20,000 or fewer.

Eligible Grant Purposes

Applicants may request grant funding for the purpose of:

Acquiring and installing, by lease or purchase, eligible equipment
Purchases of extended warranties, site licenses, and maintenance contracts
Acquiring or developing instructional programming that is a capital asset
Providing technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment (up to 10% of grant funding)
Purchasing and installing broadband facilities (up to 20% of grant funding)

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

Computer hardware, software, and network components
Audio and video equipment
Cyber security software
Training simulators
Video conferencing platform licenses
Instructional programming

Scoring Criteria

All applications will be scored based on:

Rurality (40 points) – Census population data
Economic Need (30 points) – Poverty data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program
Special Considerations (10 points) – Considerations may include Tribal lands, Distressed communities, Socially vulnerable communities
Need for Services and Project Benefits (30 points) – How will the grant meet the communities needs and what benefits will it provide?

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation funds the purchase of lifesaving equipment and outreach education on public safety in the United States.

Grants are awarded quarterly, but only 600 applications will be accepted each quarter. The grant portal will open in 2024 on April 4th, July 11th, and October 10th at 10 AM ET. Awards are typically $15,000 – $35,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Fire departments
Law enforcement agencies
Emergency Medical Services
Municipal and state governments
Public safety organizations
Nonprofit organizations
Schools

Resources are focused in areas within 60 miles of a Firehouse Subs restaurant. However, the Foundation recognizes the needs of rural organizations and will accept applications from outside that radius.

Focus Areas

Lifesaving Equipment

Funds the purchase of equipment such as:

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
Bunker gear
Bulletproof vests
All-terrain vehicles
Fire hoses

Prevention Education

Funds the purchase of prevention education tools such as:

Fire extinguisher training systems
Educational materials focused on distracted driving, carbon monoxide poisoning, CPR training, etc.

Scholarships and Continued Education

Financial assistance for individuals pursuing a career in public safety.

Disaster Relief

Funds assistance for survivors and first responders during and after a natural disaster.

Support for Members of the Military

Support for individuals who have served in any branch of the U.S. military.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may be not be used for:

Dashboard cameras
Drones and drone accessories
Use of force equipment such as guns, tasers, and riot gear
Radar detectors
Surveillance equipment
Promotional items

GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program

The GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program supports programs that increase access to mental health services on college campuses to reduce suicide and stigma. Funds should primarily be used for capacity building.

SAMHSA expects to award 23 grants of up to $102,000 per year for up to 3 years. There is a required 1:1 match of nonfederal funds, unless the applicant can demonstrate extraordinary need. Applications are due by May 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public and private institutions of higher education in the United States.

Required Activities

All projects must:

Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-studying-together-5676744/

Build a network of members of the applicant institution, trained behavioral health care providers, and local behavioral health crisis response services
Create a plan to get input from stakeholders
Provide voluntary screenings for mental health and substance use disorders and referrals to treatment services as needed
Provide evidence based training to students, faculty, and staff to identify and respond to mental health crises
Operate a hotline and/or promote available 24/7 crisis services
Conduct outreach to educate students on resources and services for mental health and substance use disorders
Disseminate educational materials to students, families, faculty, and staff about suicide, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and prevention
Conduct educational seminars that teach life skills, resilience, and promote social connectedness
Develop strategies to limit student access to lethal means
Assess the mental health and substance misuse needs of the student population

Allowable Activities

In addition to the required activities, grant funds may be used to:

Photo by Keira Burton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-studying-at-a-park-6147276/

Create a plan to provide mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services
Create polices to support students who need to take a medical leave of absence due to mental health or substance use disorders
Provide support to campus groups educating students about mental health and reducing stigma
Conduct research on outreach, prevention, and the provision of clinical services
Create new, evidence based practices, including culturally specific and trauma informed practices

Evaluation

All applications will be scored based on:

Population of Focus and Statement of Need (25 points)
Proposed Implementation Approach (40 points)
Staff and Organizational Experience (15 points )
Data Collection and Performance Measurement (20 points)

Dollar General Literacy Foundation: Youth Literacy Grants

Since 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been supporting educational attainment in the United States. Through their grant programs, they help people learn English, learn to read, and prepare for the General Equivalency Development (GED) exam.

The Youth Literacy Grants program is designed to help students reading below grade level or struggling because of a learning disability. Applications for up to $4,000 are due by April 25, 2024. Organizations who received a Youth Literacy Grant in 2022 and 2023 are not eligible to apply this year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofits
Public libraries
Public or private K-12 schools
Public colleges and universities

Applicants must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store.

Allowable Activities

Grant funds may be used to:

Establish or expand a youth literacy program
Purchase technology or equipment for a youth literacy program
Purchase books, materials, or software for a literacy program

Walmart Spark Good Local Grants

The Walmart Foundation supports projects in the communities where they operate through their Spark Good Local Grants. This program allows them to meet the unique needs of each community.

Applications for $250 – $5,000 are accepted and reviewed by store management on a quarterly basis. In 2024, open submission periods are:

Quarter 1: March 1 – April 15
Quarter 2: May 1 – July 15
Quarter 3: August 1 – October 15
Quarter 4: November 1 – December 31

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofits
City, county, or state government entities
K-12 public, nonprofit private, or charter schools
Community or junior colleges
State or private colleges and universities
Churches or religious organizations

Eligible applicants must also:

Operate on the local level
Directly benefit the service area of the store to which they are applying
Be verified through Deed

Space Tool

This tool allows organizations to request space outside their local Walmart for fundraisers and community awareness campaigns. Requests must be submitted at least 21 days prior to the proposed date and cannot be for more than 8 consecutive hours on 3 days.

For-profit businesses are not eligible, but non-501(c)3 nonprofits are.

NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants

Learning & Leadership Grants from the NEA Foundation provide funding for professional development opportunities to educators in the United States. Awards of up to $5,000 are available for educators to expand their own knowledge in ways that can be applied in the classroom.

Applications are accepted through three annual cycles. The current cycle opened on March 1, 2024 and will close on May 1st.

Grant Types

Individual

Individual educators may apply for grants to attend conferences, seminars, summer institutes, and study aboard opportunities.

Group

Groups of educators can apply for grants to fund study groups, lesson plan development, and mentoring programs.

Eligibility

Applicants for this grant must be:

Teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel
Current members of the National Education Association

Non-NEA members can participate in group grant activities, but can not be the lead applicant.

Allowable Expenses

Individual

Individual grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

Registration fees
Travel
Meals
Lodging
Materials

Group

Group grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

Stipends
Substitute fees
Travel
Meals
Materials

Neither grant type may be used to pay for:

Indirect costs
Grant administration
Salaries
Political activities
Religious activities
Reimbursing funds spent prior to the grant period

Funding Priorities

Applications focused on the following topics are the most likely to be funded:

Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Mastery of essential academic content
Communication and collaboration skills
Project-based learning
Learning experiences connected to real-world issues

It Gets Better Project: 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices

The 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices grant from the It Gets Better Project aims to fund projects in all 50 states to support LGBTQ+ youth and educators. Schools can apply for for activities that will empower members of the LGBTQ+ community and help foster acceptance.

Applications for up to $10,000 are due by April 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public or charter middle/junior high and high schools in the United States and its territories.

Allowable Activities

Grant funds can be spent on a wide variety of projects supporting LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ students and educators. Examples include

Forming a Gender & Sexualities Alliance or similar group and providing leadership training for its leaders.
Purchasing books to create an LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ section in your school library.
Creating an art installation depicting local LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ history.
Building a float for your city’s Pride parade.

Funds may not be spent on political activities, research, scholarships, or projects that benefit only one person.

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

School Environment – 15%
Project Vision – 50%
Project Budget – 15%
Overall Review – 20%

Priority Consideration

Schools will receive priority consideration and an additional 10% added to their evaluation score if they have:

A diverse student population
Federally recognized Title I status (i.e. 40% or more of students come from low-income homes)
Demonstrated support for LGBTQ+ students through policies, curriculum, etc.
Incorporation of broader community involvement
A plan that can continue beyond the grant year

Rural Technology Education Grant

The Rural Technology Fund is bridging the digital divide between rural and suburban/urban schools in the United States through their Rural Technology Education Grant. They hope to spark interest in technology careers like computer engineering, programming, and robotics.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed every 30-60 days. The average grant is $500 – $2,500, but larger requests will be considered for projects that will impact a greater number of students.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public schools and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the U.S.

Topic Areas

Potential topic areas for tech grants include:

Coding/Programming
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Design
Digital Art
Engineering
Information Technology
Robotics