Education Grants for Teachers: A Comprehensive Guide

School and classroom grants play a vital role in supplementing the often-limited budgets of educational institutions. These grants empower educators by providing access to resources they might not otherwise obtain. This guide offers a detailed overview of notable K-12 grants available to teachers and school administrators, categorized to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Understanding Education Grants

A grant is a financial award typically given to schools to support a specific objective, such as enhancing the school library or implementing a new curriculum. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment, making them an invaluable resource for educators.

Finding and Applying for Grants

Applying for classroom grants might seem complex, but with the right approach, you can navigate the process successfully. Here are some strategies to guide you:

Identify the Right Fit: Look for grants that align with your classroom, project, or organization's goals.
Understand the Guidelines: Carefully review the grant guidelines to fully understand what the funder expects.

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Craft a Compelling Summary: Begin with an executive summary that clearly and concisely outlines your project and its potential impact.
Proofread Thoroughly: Before submitting, double-check your application for typos and ensure you've met all requirements.

Categories of Education Grants

This guide categorizes grants into four main groups to help you quickly find the most relevant opportunities:

Professional Development Grants

Educators often seek professional development opportunities to improve their teaching skills and engage students. While innovative teaching is essential, the necessary training can be expensive. Fortunately, various funding options are available to support educators in their professional growth.

NEA Foundation Grants for Professional Development: The NEA Foundation offers grants to public school teachers and faculty in public higher education institutions. These grants can fund professional development experiences, such as summer institutes, action research, equity-driven initiatives, mentoring, lesson study, or experiential learning for students. The goal is to improve teaching practices, curriculum, and student achievement. Recipients are expected to share their learning with colleagues.

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Fund for Teachers: This grant program uniquely empowers teachers to design their own professional development opportunities based on their perceived needs. It supports the belief that teachers are the best judges of their educational growth.
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation: This foundation provides grants to individual teachers or small teams in K-12 education. The grants support insightful and innovative professional training, allowing awardees to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom. Projects should aim for a significant and lasting impact.
Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Education Fund: Provides funds for new K-12 teachers (within their first five years) to attend the National Conference on Science Education, supporting their professional growth and networking. Eligible applicants must have fewer than five years of full-time teaching experience, be NSTA members, and ideally have been members as pre-service teachers. The application requires a 500-to-750-word narrative outlining conference plans, a resume, a transcript or teaching certificate, and a letter of support from a mentor or supervisor.
NCTM Mathematics Education Trust: Supports elementary school teachers (grades pre-K through 5) in developing mathematics content expertise and becoming leaders in math instruction within their schools or districts. Eligible applicants include pre-K to grade 5 classroom teachers with at least three years of teaching experience who regularly teach mathematics, as well as full-time math coaches or math teachers. Applicants must be NCTM Essential or Premium members and obtain support from their principal.

Classroom Resources and Supplies Grants

Teachers often spend their own money to ensure students have the necessary learning tools and resources. A survey by adoptaclassroom.org found that teachers spend an average of $860 of their own money on their classrooms each school year. Many organizations offer grant money to help alleviate this financial burden.

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DonorsChoose.org: While not a traditional grant, DonorsChoose.org offers a means for securing funds for your classroom. Teachers can create proposals specifying needed items, from basic school supplies to microscopes, lab equipment, and software.
NEA Foundation Grants for Student Achievement: The NEA Foundation allows public school teachers to seek funding for programs that enhance students' academic achievement. Applicants must create a plan that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills and expands students' understanding of various subjects. The grant supports teachers' efforts over 12 months and can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and technology.
Casey’s Cash for Classrooms Grant: In 2021, Casey’s awarded $1 million to K-12 public and nonprofit private schools through 99 grants. Categories include physical improvements, material needs, teacher support, and community engagement. An organization may only submit one application during the current cycle. A K-12 public or nonprofit private school in Casey’s 16-state footprint can receive more than one donation if submitted by different organizations.
Walmart Local Community Grants: Organizations must have a Spark Good account and be verified by Deed, Walmart’s third-party verification service provider. All grants are disbursed through electronic payment, so organizations must provide electronic payment information to complete the approval process.
Believe in Reading: Believe in Reading grants are for established literacy programs. They should have a proven track record of success for at least two years. Eligible recipients must possess tax-exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) or an equivalent for educational entities, including public libraries; applications from organizations with pending tax-exempt status are not accepted.
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation: The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation awards grants to organizations for whom a small amount of money can make a big difference. The application demands comprehensive details including organizational and contact information, confirmation of nonprofit status, a history of past awards or requests, and a synopsis of the organization’s mission and programs. It also requires a plan for the potential use of funds, a formal letter of request, the most recent IRS Form 990 (if applicable), a detailed program budget (for program support applicants), and a copy of the IRS letter confirming Section 501(c)(3) status, excluding private foundations.

STEM Education Grants

These grants support teachers who aim to improve student learning by integrating innovative teaching methods in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Classroom Grant Program: The AIAA is committed to advancing STEM education and offers grants of up to $500 to K-12 teachers. Grant proposals must explicitly link to STEM fields with a special focus on aerospace. Eligible applicants are K-12 classroom teachers, with funds disbursed directly to their schools. Teachers must be active AIAA Educator Associate members before the grant is awarded. Note that each school may receive a maximum of two grants annually.
National Weather Association Foundation: The National Weather Association Foundation promotes meteorology education in elementary, middle, and high schools. It awards grants to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to improving meteorology education and increasing awareness about this aspect of science.
ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant: The American Chemical Society (ACS) provides innovative chemistry teachers with the opportunity to put their ideas into action. This grant promotes dynamic and engaging scientific exploration among students and is awarded to high school teachers who wish to enhance classroom learning and increase students’ interest in chemistry.
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant: The Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT recognizes the achievements of inventors and has created the InvenTeams initiative, a grant program focused on STEM education. It encourages hands-on engagement and the application of STEM concepts to solve real-world problems. Teams of students and their teachers can apply for the InvenTeams grant when they have identified a relevant societal issue and conceptualized a technological invention to address it.
Shell Science Lab Challenge: This award, in partnership with Shell USA and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), recognizes one exceptional K-12 science teacher who has positively impacted their students, school, and community through exemplary science teaching. Award: $10,000 for the recipient; expense-paid trips to the NSTA National Conference for the recipient and two finalists.
Verizon Foundation Grants: For education grants, Verizon Foundation funding is intended to support projects that promote science, technology, engineering, and math (“STEM”), including, for example, summer or after-school programs, teacher training, and research on improving learning in STEM areas through use of technology. Organizations must maintain auditable records, adhere to legal standards for registration and reporting, uphold high business ethics, and not replicate public agencies’ efforts. Additionally, organizations receiving mixed income and those operating in support of these entities are eligible, with specific conditions for K-12 schools, which must be not-for-profit and registered with the NCES.
ASM Foundation K-12 Teacher Grants: The guidelines for each grant are unique. Eligible candidates for this opportunity must be full- or part-time high school teachers. They must be actively employed in the USA or Canada. Ideal candidates are those who have previously received ASM Foundation K-12 Teacher Grants or have graduated from the ASM Materials Camp Teachers Camp program.
Dell Technologies Grants Support Program: At least two programs from distinct organizations listed on the NGCP Program Map must collaborate, with one chosen as the lead, located in a state or region currently offering mini-grants. Preference is given to innovative projects involving first-time collaborations.

Subject-Specific Grants

These grants are targeted toward specific subject areas, such as history, math, literacy, or the arts.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation: This grant is for graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to becoming a high school history teacher. The award emphasizes American history education and the teaching of the U.S. Constitution. Fellowship recipients commit to teaching in their field of study for a specified period after graduation.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Grants: The NCTM offers grants for math teachers in Pre-K through grade 5 who have demonstrated a commitment to strengthening their teaching methods and applying innovative ideas in their classrooms. Applicants must have the support of their principals and be members of NCTM. Funds may be used for professional development, college coursework, fees associated with attending national conferences, and material resources.
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Bookmobile Grant Program: The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The LLCF Bookmobile Grant Program offers funding for acquiring books for children from preschool through grade 8, encompassing early reader to young adult and hi-lo books. Eligibility is restricted to organizations operating within the United States, its territories, or commonwealths.
American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Grants: Members of the American Association of School Librarians can apply for this curriculum grant. To qualify, a certified librarian or paid professional must oversee the school library’s collection and maintenance. Eligible public schools must meet Title 1 criteria, including neighborhood, charter, and magnet schools. Private and parochial schools can apply if at least 50% of their students are eligible for financial aid. Applicants must have a designated library space accessible for all students to borrow books. The application requires a digital signature from the principal and complete financial documentation, including the school/district’s W-9 and a voided check or bank letter.
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation: Provides vital support services to school districts and new musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide. The organization should ensure regular access to physical activity, which does not need to be a structured sports program.
Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching: Must be full-time K-8 earth science teachers in the United States or United Kingdom, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to instruction. Required application materials include an essay, a detailed CV or resume, a recommendation letter from the principal, two additional recommendations from educational peers, and a standout earth science lesson plan.
Innovative Art Integration Grants: For projects within schools serving all children that integrate the arts into educational programs.

Additional Grant Opportunities

The American Institute for Stuttering (AIS): Dedicated to helping young Americans with disabilities maximize their potential and fully participate in society. For full-time educators who have not received a grant or scholarship from AAE in the past two years.
Jimmie Johnson Foundation: Eligible applicants are K-12 public schools and charter schools in Charlotte, North Carolina, that have been fully operational for at least three years. Applications must be submitted by school staff, not PTOs, through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation’s online grants management system.
ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program: Full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff with effective and innovative projects that improve student learning. Award: $25,000 (first place), $10,000 (second place), and $5,000 (third place).
Action for Healthy Kids: Schools, nonprofits. The organization should ensure regular access to physical activity, which does not need to be a structured sports program.
Whole Kids Foundation: Provides elementary schools with resources to create and maintain school gardens that support inquiry-based, hands-on STEAM learning. elementary schools only. Schools receive garden beds, seeds, soil, tools, a mobile cooking cart with a Vitamix blender, access to garden-based lessons, literacy materials, and online training for teachers.
Library Grants for Alternative Education: School libraries within alternative education settings, such as youth detention centers, in the United States and its territories that cater to disadvantaged youth are eligible to apply for grants. Individuals working across multiple schools may submit separate applications for each or a single district-wide application if they oversee multiple libraries.
Literacy Research Association (LRA) Collaborative Literacy Research Grant: Collaborative teams of two or three professionals, known for functioning as a unit in their field, can be nominated or self-nominated for recognition. These teams should have a history of working together on various projects that have significantly contributed to the advancement of literacy education over a minimum of five years. Eligible contributions may include a body of research and practice evidenced through publications or impactful field-based projects that explore new literacies, foster literacy collaborations, or enhance literacy engagement.
Charter School Growth Fund: Grants are typically awarded for a one-year period. Applicants must have the endorsement and backing of their superintendent or head of school, as well as their Information Technology department. Recipients are required to showcase adherence to grant conditions via quarterly reports, mid-project visits, and a final report. Eligible applicants are those whose charter has been in effect for at least three years.

State-Specific Resources

In addition to national grants, each state offers its own grant resources for classrooms, teachers, and schools. To find these, search online using terms like "classroom grants for teachers," "grant money for schools," or "classroom grants for teachers" along with your state's name.

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