...and a Quick Guide to Crowdfunding!
Due to district funding problems, the pandemic, and rising student needs, teachers are often forced to fund their own classroom materials. According to the Education Week Research Center Survey, 95 percent of teachers report spending their own money on classroom materials.
Grants are opportunities for teachers to find financial relief. Grants can fund projects, tools, equipment, materials, and more. New resources and supplies can better help your students succeed! There are plenty of easy, simple grants to apply to for your classroom.
The following grant opportunities are ongoing:
The Awesome Foundation
- About: The Awesome Foundation supports any “awesome” project: whether in the arts, technology, community development, wellness, and more! When you submit your proposal, donors can choose to fund your “awesomeness.” Looking to bring a new art program to your school? Cameras to make creative classroom projects? Community garden? The possibilities are endless.
- Award: up to $1,000
- Deadline: Ongoing. Given monthly.
Adopt a Classroom Arts Fund
- About: Adopt a Classroom’s Arts Fun allows teachers to apply for grants for specific school needs related to the arts. Whether classroom arts and crafts supplies, musical items, costumes, or props, the Arts fund can be used to support all creative endeavors.
- Award: Varies on needs.
- Deadline: Ongoing.
Believe in Reading
- About: Believe in Reading awards grants to support existing and new literacy programs. This grant is renewable for up to three years. Serves any age, literacy level, English Language Learners, or Braille projects with Believe in Reading’s grant program. Propose your project and needs and allow Believe in Reading to help you with the rest.
- Award: $1,000-$10,000
- Deadline: Ongoing.
Dell Technologies Grants Support Program
- About: The Dell Technologies Grants Support Program helps fund technology-rich projects for K-12 public school districts. Proposed projects should have a clear need and defined geographic community. Dell will help decide which technologies are needed and will best support your project.
- Award: Varies on needs.
- Deadline: Ongoing.
Educators of America Classroom Technology Grants
- About: Educators of America offers Classroom Technology Grants for any K-12 schools, community centers, English Language Learning organizations, and STEM/STEAM organizations. Proper technology lends itself to greater learning, so update your interactive whiteboards, laptops, tablets, and more!
- Award: $250-$5,000
- Deadline: Ongoing. Applications are reviewed and honored in January, April, July, and October.
Good Sports
- About: Good Sports supports equitable access to youth sports and physical activity for children in high-need communities. Create new athletic opportunities for kids 3-18 years old through new equipment, apparel, and footwear. The goal of Good Sports is to increase participation in youth sports and enhance their experiences.
- Award: Equipment of your choosing based on the number of students.
- Deadline: Ongoing.
Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries
- About: The Laura Bush Foundation stocks high-needs schools and classrooms with diverse library resources and books. Update and diversify book collections in your classroom! Enhance reading, educational opportunities, and academic success with the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries.
- Award: Varies on needs.
- Deadline: Ongoing.
Supply a Teacher
- About: The Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) sponsors the Supply a Teacher project. If you are a Public School K-12 teacher, create an ongoing list of needed classroom supplies. Your list becomes available to donors who may choose to fund your classroom items. Priority is given to high-needs schools. Donations are sent directly to your school.
- Award: $100-$500
- Deadline: Ongoing. Applications received through the school year are posted during the summer.
Target Field Trips
- About: Target Field Trip Grants for K-12 teachers support off-campus field trips for schools. Fund ticket purchases, transportation, meals, and more. Enhance learning opportunities by getting out of the classroom!
- Award: $700
- Deadline: Ongoing.
What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is when teachers use platforms to raise money. Just like its name, “crowd-funding” means gathering funds from a crowd of people. DonorsChoose.com and GoFundMe.com are well-known crowdfunding sites where multiple people contribute money towards a common cause. Crowdfunding for classroom-related needs has gained popularity in recent years. Teachers can use these platforms to raise money for anything!
Here are some important things to know about crowdfunding:
Do’s of Crowdfunding
- Choose a project with a specific goal in mind. This will make donors more likely to choose your project. Explain how your donations will be used.
- Simple and easy to create, there are no grant writing skills necessary.
- Document donations for tax purposes.
- Communicate to your friends, family, and parents, and share the link to your project widely.
Don’ts of Crowdfunding
- Don’t overshare. It is important to keep student demographics and identities private.
- Your school may have specific guidelines or regulations with crowdfunding so check out those policies first.
- It may cause inequities. If one teacher is receiving hundreds of dollars of supplies and tools, other classrooms within the same school may feel left out.
This article is based on the following research and online resources:
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-do-teachers-fund-their-classrooms-6-takeaways/2019/04
https://www.weareteachers.com/education-grants/
https://www.alleducationschools.com/blog/grants-for-teachers/
https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/the-best-grants-for-education-for-2020-and-beyond
https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/5-crowdfunding-tips-for-teachers/
https://blog.planbook.com/crowdfunding-for-teachers/
