District, schools, and other local education agencies (LEA) oftentimes work with limited resources and budgets. Decision-makers and educators have become adept at locating education funding opportunities. For example, Grants.gov is a valuable resource for finding a variety of federal grants that can be searched by category, eligibility, and agency. For an improved opportunity of winning an award or grant, it is critical that decision-makers note key information such as requirements and deadlines, as submission dates vary throughout the year.
When potential grant opportunities are identified, the next step is the application process. Many schools and districts have an experienced coordinator who is responsible for ensuring proposals align with award requirements and application specifications, increasing the likelihood of winning the award. For schools that do not have this dedicated person, the Boxlight Grant Assistance Program (GAP) is headed by Dr. Don Gemeinhardt, a grants expert. The GAP can also help find the funding needed to enhance learning spaces and experiences. For more information on the Boxlight GAP, go to www.boxlight.com/services/grant-writing.
To help you find the money you need when budget is limited, here are our 23 funding opportunities for 2023. Mark deadlines on your calendar to give the grants team at your site time to gather required materials.
*Note highlighted submission dates (first quarter of 2023)
General
1. Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grants - https://www.aaeteachers.org/index.php/classroom-grant-application
Classroom grants are available to full-time educators for projects and materials including books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials. State specific contests for Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, and Washington.
Award: $500
Deadline: March 1, October 1st
2. Adopt a Classroom - https://www.adoptaclassroom.org/
A national nonprofit organization that provides classroom funding to PreK-12 teachers and schools.
Award: varies
Deadline: ongoing
3. Brown Rudnick Center Community Grants - http://www.brownrudnickcenter.com/foundation/community-grants/
The Foundation awards Community Grants to address specific, one-time, tangible, and immediate needs in Boston, MA; Providence, RI; Hartford, CT; New York, NY; Washington, D.C., Orange County, or London (U.K.).
Award: up to $2000
Deadline: ongoing
4. The Dekko Foundation 101 - https://www.dekkofoundation.org/grant-making/grantseeker-support/dekko-foundation-101/
Awards grants in Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota. Grantseeker should visit the website for process.
Award: varies
Deadline: ongoing
5. Digital Wish - https://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants
The Digital Wish Provides organization shares information on various classroom technology grant opportunities.
Award: varies
Deadline: ongoing
6. Donors Choose - https://www.donorschoose.org/
Create a fundraiser that allows others to donate toward goals like new school resources or classroom projects
Award: varies
Deadline: ongoing
7. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation - https://www.kauffman.org/grants/grantseekers/
The Kauffman Foundation is open to new ideas and innovative project submissions at any time throughout the year, that support ideas and solutions designed to improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help communities and individuals thrive.
Award: varies
Deadline: ongoing
8. Farrell Family Foundation - https://www.farrellfamilyfoundation.com/Home
Funding awarded to those that promote and encourage self-reliance, responsibility, and accountability through education, health, human welfare, and the arts.
Award: varies
Deadline: March 31, 2023
9. The NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants - https://www.neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships/learning-leadership-grants/
Through the Learning & Leadership grants, NEA supports the professional development of NEA members by providing grants to individuals and groups. The grants are intended to provide resources for educators hoping to engage in professional learning that can be implemented in their classrooms.
Award: TBD
Deadline: application window March 1 – April 27, 2023
10. Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers - https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/school-support-and-accountability/21st-century-community-learning-centers/
This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.
Award: contact for info
Deadline: contact for info
11. Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program - https://apply.scholarsapply.org/unsungheroes/
Each year 50 educators are selected to receive $2000 to help fund innovative class projects.
Award: 50 at $2000; three are chosen for additional awards of $5000, $10,000, and $25,000
Deadline: April 28, 2022
STEM
12. American Electric Power’s Teacher Grant - https://www.aep.com/community/education/grantsFunding for any project that has an academic focus and a goal to improve student achievement. AEP has a special interest in science, mathematics, technology, and the study of energy and a sustainable environment, and energy efficiency.
Award: range from $100-$500
Deadline: midnight the third Friday in December (December 15, 2023)
13. Cyber.org Technology Grant Program - https://cyber.org/technology-grant
Designed to support teachers and qualified extracurricular programs to provide cyber education to K-12 students in the United States.
Award: TBA
Deadline: every year on March 15 for April awards, and August 15 for September awards
14. Innovative Technology Education Fund - https://innovteched.com/itefgrant-2/
The ITEF funds projects that are innovative and elevate learning and exploration. Projects should engage students, push teachers, and generate excitement and enthusiasm for learning.
Award: varies
Deadline: window is November 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023
15. Lockheed Martin -https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/communities/applying-for-contributions.html
Lockheed Martin provides contributions to help cultivate the STEM workforce of the future.
Award: varies
Deadline: varies
16. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Grants - https://www.nctm.org/grants/
NCTM Mathematics Education Trust offers a wide range of grants, scholarships, and awards.
Awards: ranges from $1500 to $24,000
Deadline: May 1, 2023
17. STEM Teacher Scholarships - https://www.afcea.org/stem-teacher-scholarships
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is offering competitive-based scholarships of $2500 each to students actively pursuing a graduate degree or credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching STEM subjects at a U.S. school in grades K-12.
Award: $2500
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Literacy
18. American Association of School Librarians Innovative Reading Grant - https://www.ala.org/aasl/awards/innovativeThe AASL Innovative Reading Grant supports the implementation of a unique program for learners, K-9, that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.
Award: $2500
Deadline: next cycle of awards begins September 2023
19. Believe in Reading Grants for Literacy - https://believeinreading.org/
Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs. They will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, and Braille-related products for the blind and visually impaired.
Awards: TBD
Deadline: TBD
20. Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants - https://www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs/?#youth-literacy-grants
The Foundation makes available Youth Literacy Grants for schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations that help students that are below grade level or having trouble reading.
Awards: max $4000
Deadline: applications available March 9, 2023
21. The Nora Roberts Foundation - http://norarobertsfoundation.org/index.php
The primary focus of the Nora Roberts Foundation is to support Literacy.
Awards: range from $2500 - $7500
Deadline: dependent on quarterly board meetings, with general deadlines as March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1
22. ProLiteracy Literacy Opportunity Fund - https://www.proliteracy.org/Literacy-Opportunity-Fund
The Literacy Opportunity Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations within the United States that provide literacy services directly to students.
Awards: range from $3000 - $6000
Deadline: Awarded quarterly throughout the year – January 3, April 1, July 1, October 1
23. Snapdragon Book Foundation - http://snapdragonbookfoundation.org/application/
SBF funds worthy projects in PreK-12 schools/educational libraries for disadvantaged students.
Awards: range from $2500 - $10,000
Deadline: Applications are accepted from November through January of each year. The 2024 application will be available at the end of October 2023.
To explore Boxlight award-winning solutions and learn how they can meet grant requirements, go to https://boxlight.com/home.