Grants, Opportunities, & Free Resources
Learn about upcoming grant deadlines and get information about free resources that can help your school.
Communicator
January 2016, Volume 39, Issue 5
Grants | Classroom Resources | Curricula & Teaching Tools
Professional Development & Learning
FEATURED OPPORTUNITY |
“UNThink My School” grant
In collaboration with the Wahl Foundation, NAESP has launched a school grant program called “UNThink My School” that will award a total of $40,000 to schools that champion themes of innovation and creativity. The Wahl Foundation will award one $20,000 grant and 10 $2,000 “UNthink My School” grants to schools that use artistic concepts and creative expression to solve school problems and spur innovation. Applications will be accepted and reviewed from Oct. 6, 2015 until Feb. 15, 2016. Winners will be announced in March 2016.
Deadline: February 15, 2016
GRANTS |
Arts Education Grants
Sponsored by Crayola and NAESP, the Champion Creatively Alive Children grant program seeks to help educators integrate the arts across the curriculum to build students’ 21st century skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Up to 20 schools will receive grants to implement, document, and share results of an innovative arts-infused project. Each grant includes $2,500 and $1,000 worth of Crayola products. Submit an application by June 6 and receive a Crayola Product Classpack.
Early Bird Deadline: June 6, 2015
Deadline: June 20, 2015
Information Technology Pathfinder Award
Does your school have an exceptional school librarian? The Information Technology Pathfinder Award “recognizes and honors school librarians demonstrating vision and leadership through the use of information technology to build lifelong learners.” The annual award, administered by the American Association of School Librarians, offers $1,000 to awardees, and $500 to the school’s library program. Librarians are assessed based on utilization of technology to address the needs of the school community, the integration of technology into curriculum, and the impact on student learning. Applications are expected by February 1, but check the website for further details. Applicants must be a personal member of AASL. Full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the awards page on ASSL’s website.
Deadline: February 1, 2016
Green Education Programs
The Alternative Fuel Foundation is offering grants for programs that promote the concept of sustainability. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. Typical grants range from $250-$500, but larger grants are considered on a case by case basis. Schools or parent groups are required to submit their grant applications online. Further guidelines and frequently asked questions can be found on the Alternative Fuel Foundation’s website.
Deadline: Ongoing
American Honda Foundation
The American Honda Foundation is offering grants for programs that demonstrate a commitment to youth education. Priority will be given to proposals that promote education in STEM areas and the environment. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000, and organizations can only submit one application in a 12-month period. The grant-making schedule includes four application periods throughout the year, with deadlines in February, May, August, and November. Further information, including eligibility requirements, FAQ, and the online application, can be found on AHF’s website.
Close achievement gaps with matching grant for a grit program
The nonprofit EduGuide program builds students’ grit and other core learning skills to improve academic behaviors and achievement. A new matching grant covers half the cost of the evidence-based program for a limited number of schools. Learn more: edugui.de/getagrant
RGK Foundation Grants
The RGK Foundation funds programs that focus on math, science, reading, and teacher development. There is no deadline or specific project guidelines; interested applicants should submit a letter of inquiry outlining a specific project.
Deadling: Rolling
Tennis, Anyone?
United States Tennis Association Southern offers matching equipment grants to elementary schools that organize a kids’ tennis club. No tennis courts are required. Kids’ tennis clubs can be located in schools, parks, youth centers, or tennis facilities. This grant is available for schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant for Salad Bars in Schools
Seeking to increase children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables, the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools program plans to fund and grant 6,000 salad bars to schools across the nation by 2013. Any K-12 school or district participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible to apply.
Deadline: Rolling
CLASSROOM RESOURCES |
Books for Children in Need
First Book donates 35,000 books per day to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. Educators or program administrators at schools where at least 70 percent of the children come from low-income families are eligible to apply for the nonprofit’s book distribution programs.
Free Classroom Supplies
Teachers can use a helping hand when it comes to stocking up on school supplies. That is why The Clorox Company is launching the Canisters for Classrooms program to help teachers get Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes for their classrooms and get parents involved in donating, too! When teachers put Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on their back-to-school list, Clorox will automatically donate two canisters to their classroom (while supplies last)! Visit Clorox Classrooms to upload your back-to-school supply list or create your back-to-school supply list online.
Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale
Scholastic is holding a sale at its many warehouse locations across the country. Books are discounted as heavily as 25 to 80 percent, with most being at least half off. You can also register online to save $10 on your first purchase over $50, or $25 on your first purchase over $100.
CURRICULA & TEACHING TOOLS |
PBS LearningMedia
It’s summer and it’s time to play! Games-based learning is a hot topic for educators and parents, and PBS LearningMedia is featuring a collection of free educational resources aptly titled: Got Game? The digital collection includes games and interactives from PBS LearningMedia’s vast library of over 35,000 free resources for educators, and keeps kids playing and learning all summer long.
TEDed
TED provides a system for creating lessons through YouTube videos. TEDed’s tool for finding and “flipping” videos for students allows you to add questions, further resources, and even create a place for discussion. Search videos by subject, or browse other educators’ best flips and find ready-made lessons. You can find flipped videos at www.ed.ted.com, and more TED talks at www.ted.com.
Financial Literacy Resources
Money as You Grow—20 Things Kids Need to Know to Live Financially Smart Lives, an online tool to help improve the financial capability of America’s youth, offers 20 essential, age-appropriate lessons kids need to learn about money. The President’s Council on Financial Capability developed the website.
Free Fitness Curriculum
The ACE Operation FitKids curriculum from the American Council on Exercise is designed for educators looking to integrate health and fitness into classroom learning. The 7-lesson curricula for grades 3 to 8 and teach students the dangers of being overweight and the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
Free Pen Pal Club Subscription
Pen Pal Kids Club, a global social network for kids, is offering free classroom subscriptions to K-8 teachers across the United States. The website promotes cross-curricular collaboration by integrating nonfiction writing, geography, social studies, and technology while offering students a chance to discover different cultures and meet new friends from across the globe.
Powerful Free Tool for Data, Tutoring
School leaders know that every minute spent testing is a minute taken away from teaching. ASSISTments, a new, free web-based platform developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, aims to change that, offering teachers the ability to blend assessment questions and tutoring. Students receive real-time guidance, while teachers see instant reports on student progress. Plus schools and districts can build benchmarks right into the system. Contact [email protected] for training and more information.
Symbaloo Personal Learning Environment
Symbaloo is a free cloud-based, student centered educational solution that allows easy bookmarking of important websites along with the ability to share these resources. Teachers and students have instant access to their important resources, regardless of their device or where they are. To learn more, visit www.symbalooedu.com.
Grades of Green
Grades of Green is an environmental education non-profit with the mission to empower and inspire students and the broader school community to protect the environment. Their website offers free tools, lesson plans and activities for teachers and principals to use to green their schools.
We Do Listen Foundation
The We Do Listen Foundation is home to a host of free educational resources for children. The award-winning Howard B. Wigglebottom animated books are available online, along with songs, games, activities, and more, including guidelines and resources for dealing with issues like bullying.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING |
Code.org Workshops
Code.org is offering free 1-day workshops to prepare educators and content-area teachers to introduce computer science basics in a format that’s fun and accessible to k-5 learners. The workshop will cover content for all three courses and teachers will receive the supplies they need to teach the course- at no cost. These workshops will be led by experienced Code.org K-5 Facilitators in over 60 cities across the United States. Visit their website to find a workshop near you.
Partners in Learning
The Microsoft Innovative Schools Program helps district and school leaders embrace innovation and implement technology effectively to support teaching and learning. Through this program school leaders can explore the possibilities, collaborate with other leaders and create a vision for the future of your school community.
Educating K-12 English Language Learners with Disabilities
The Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota released a publication titled Impact: Feature issue on Education K-12 English Language Learners with Disabilities, which offers information on how to effectively educate English-language learners with disabilities and measure their progress.
Green Strides – Webinar Series
This webinar series, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools initiative, features experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other federal programs. Topics include fitness, solar energy, life in space, and more.
Implementing Common Core Standards in Math – Webinar Series
This free webinar series and online professional learning community, sponsored by ETA/Cuisenaire, provides advice and support regarding the national math curriculum. The program provides free webinars, live chats, lesson plans and online discussions to assist teachers in connecting and collaborating with others in the same grade level.
Global Learning for Educators – Webinar Series
The Asia Society is providing a free, year-long webinar series, Global Learning for Educators, designed to help educators prepare students for college and the interconnected world beyond. Topics include project-based global learning, preparing your school for global learning initiatives, and more.
RTI in Early Childhood Settings – Webcast
“Implementing Response to Intervention in Early Childhood Settings: National, State, and Program Perspectives,” an 80-minute webcast from the RTI Action Network, features a panel of nationally recognized researchers and dynamic RTI implementers on RTI’s role RTI in early childhood. This unique blend of multiple perspectives targets matching high-quality instruction and interventions to meet learning needs during the early childhood years.
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