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Grants and awards
Physh Ed brings boats into your curriculum
Physh Ed National Boating and Fishing Grants Initiative seeks to bring boating and fishing into your physical education curriculum. Physh Ed, a program from the Future Fisherman Foundation and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, offers grants of up to $2,500 to start boating and fishing programs in schools. Grants of $2,500 are awarded to schools to establish programs at their schools. In addition, the program covers expenses for one teacher from each school to attend training on angling skills and program development. For more information, visit futurefisherman.org. Deadline is Feb. 9.
Are you a kind teacher, or do you know of one?
If you're a teacher who incorporates lessons about kindness to other people, animals and the environment into your curriculum, or you know of a teacher who does, consider the National KIND Teacher Awards. Humane Society Youth will give the award to one teacher who will be featured on the group's Web site. The winner will also receive classroom resources and other humane education materials. For more information, visit www.humanesocietyyouth.org/awards/. Deadline is Feb. 15.
Get start-up funding for your journalistic endeavor
The New Voices project will give start-up money to news initiatives that seek to promote the exchange of ideas, news and opinions in the community. New Voices, from J-Lab, the Institute for Interactive Journalism, will provide up to $17,000 in the first year of funding for equipment, software, marketing materials, production and other expenses. For more information, visit www.j-newvoices.org/. Deadline is Feb. 15.
Help your students pay it forward
The Pay It Forward Foundation offers mini-grants of up to $500 to help fund youth-oriented service projects. The program rewards programs seeking to improve their school or community. Programs should adhere to the "pay it forward" philosophy, which is based on one person doing a favor for others, who in turn help other people, while the results grow exponentially. For more information, visit payitforwardfoundation.org/educators/. Deadlines are Sept. 15 and Feb. 15.
Make your school a School of Distinction in math and science
Intel's Schools of Distinction program rewards schools that have math or science programs with high levels of student achievement. Each finalist school will receive a $2,500 grant. Winners will receive grants of $10,000 to $25,000 plus products and services from the program's sponsors. In addition, one overall winner will receive an extra $15,000. For more information, visit www.schoolsofdistinction.com/. Deadline is Feb. 17.
Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb grants encourage school and community gardens. Twenty-two grant winners will receive up to $1,000 in Fiskars Garden Tools and up to $1,000 in materials such as plants, seeds and mulch. For more information, visit projectorangethumb.com/pot/. Deadline is Feb. 19.
Win tools for your school garden
The 2010 Mantis Award Program can give your school garden project an equipment boost. Twenty-five winners will receive a gas or electric Mantis Tiller/Cultivator for their program. The contest is sponsored by Mantis Garden Tools and the National Gardening Association. For more information, visit www.kidsgardening.com/grants/. Deadline is March 1.
Conservation department offers field trip grants
The Missouri Department of Conservation offers grants to assist educators in taking K-3 students on field trips related to fish, wildlife and natural habitats. Grants of up to $700 will be awarded Sept. 1, 2009, through March 2, 2010, or until all funds have been distributed. For more information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/teacher/grants/. Deadline is March 9, or until all funds have been awarded.
Reward schools that have changed for the better
The National School Change Awards recognizes six schools from across the country that have significantly changed for the better. Nominations will be judged based on the significance and focus of the changes and the position of the student within the change. Winning schools will receive a $5,000 and participation in awards ceremonies, conferences and research. For more information, visit www.npli.org/nsca/. Deadline is March 4.
Beveridge prize honors history teachers
Honor a team of great history educators with the Beveridge Family Teaching Prize. The prize, sponsored by the American Historical Association, honors teachers for excellence in teaching or for an innovative initiative applicable to an entire field. The winning group will receive $1,500 toward a group project. For more information, visit www.historians.org/teaching/Beveridge.htm. Deadline is March 15, 2010.
Ecology/environmental science teaching award
The National Association of Biology Teachers and Vernier Software and Technology want to recognize a secondary school teacher who has developed an innovative approach to teaching ecology/environmental science and has carried that commitment to the environment into the community. The award includes $1,000 to travel to a professional development conference and $500 in Vernier equipment. Candidates do not need to be NABT members, but they should have at least three years of teaching experience, the majority of which should be in biology or life sciences. For more information, visit www.nabt.org/. Deadline is March 15.
Get recognized for promising character-ed practices
The Promising Practices Awards program offers awards to schools who have developed and implemented unique character-education strategies. Winners in the awards program, part of the National Schools of Character program, will share their practices with other districts through NSOC's publications. In return, winners will receive a certificate and a copy of the publication. For more information, visit www.character.org/promisingpracticesoverview. Deadline is March 15.
Recognize a great new biology teacher
The National Association of Biology Teachers Outstanding New Biology Teacher Award honors great teachers within their first three years of teaching. The winner will have developed an original and outstanding program or technique, and will have made a contribution to the profession at the start of his or her career. The winner will receive a plaque at the NABT Professional Development Conference, along with a one-year NABT membership. For more information, visit www.nabt.org/. Nomination deadline is March 15.
The Defense of Academic Freedom Award is given annually to an educator who has defended the principles of academic freedom in specific controversies, fostered academic freedom through advocacy, and defended or advocated the freedom to teach and learn. The award is sponsored by the National Council for the Social Studies and includes a $1,500 award. Preference will be given to social studies teachers, although teachers of all subjects are eligible. For more information, visit www.socialstudies.org/awards/academicfreedom/. Deadline is March 21.
Environmental grants from Captain Planet
The Captain Planet Foundation accepts grant applications for projects that seek to provide hands-on environmental education for young people. Grants of $250 to $2,500 are available depending on the project. For more information visit www.captainplanetfoundation.org. Deadlines are March 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31.
Japan program offers grants in the Midwest
The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership seeks to improve awareness and understanding of Japan in the U.S. and is offering grants in Southern and Midwestern states to help accomplish that goal. Up to $5,000 will be awarded to projects that seek to enhance understanding of Japan through cultural events and outreach. The projects must be underway to be eligible for the funding. For more information, visit www.cgp.org/index.php?option=article&task=default&articleid=379&id=6 . Deadline is March 31.
Nominate a K-6 math or science teacher for Presidential award
Nominations are now being accepted for the nation's highest honor for math and science teachers. In 2007, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching will recognize teachers in grades K-6. Teachers may nominate themselves; colleagues or community members may also submit nominations. Nominations must be made to each state's coordinator. For more information, visit www.paemst.org/. Nomination deadline is April 1.
Does your playground need shade?
Grants of up to $8,000 are available to help schools and nonprofit organizations purchase permanent shade structures to offer shade and UV-protection for outdoor areas. The American Academy of Dermatology offers the grants to help promote sun safety and awareness. Grant winners will also receive a sign from the academy explaining the importance of sun safety. For more information, visit www.aad.org/public/sun/grants.html. Deadline is April 12.
Entertainment Software Association offers grants
The Entertainment Software Association Foundation offers grants for youth programs that focus on education, personal development, risk-behavior prevention and other issues. Grant amounts vary. For more information, visit www.theesa.com/foundation/application.asp. Deadline is April 15.
School newspapers benefit from grant
ING Financial Services honors teachers who propose creative and innovative projects with its Unsung Heroes program. The top 100 finalists will receive $2,000 for their project, while the top three winners will receive additional awards of $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000 respectively. For more information, visit www.ing.com/us/unsungheroes. Deadline is April 30.
Lawrence Foundation offers grants
The Lawrence Foundation offers grants to support education, environmental causes and human services. Grant amounts vary by project. For more information, visit www.thelawrencefoundation.org/. Deadlines are April 30 and October 31.
Do you know a disability inclusion champion?
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation is offering an award for individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the inclusion of youth with disabilities in society. Efforts could include helping to create a culture of inclusion within an organization or community, or developing strategies for inclusive programming in school activities, after-school programs and community service. The winner will receive a trophy and $1,000 donated to the charity of his or her choice. For more information, visit meaf.org/grants-inclusion.php. Deadline is May. 1.
Reach for the stars with a Christa McAuliffe award
The Christa McAuliffe Reach for the Stars Award honors National Council for the Social Studies members who develop projects that represent excellence and innovation in social studies education and have the potential of serving as a model for other teachers. Winners will receive $2,500 to make their project possible. For more information, visit www.socialstudies.org/awards/grants/mcauliffe. Deadline is May 1.
Interest students in the material world
The ASM International Foundation wants to excite young people about careers in materials. Bring the world of materials science into your classroom with one of 10 grants of $500 each. Applicants should submit a two-page proposal describing a curriculum-based hands-on project that involves students' observation, communication, and mathematics and science skills to enhance their awareness of the materials around them. For more information, visit asmcommunity.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/Foundation/. Deadline is May 25.
Braitmayer grants support education initiatives
The Braitmayer Foundation gives grants twice annually to school- and curriculum-reform initiatives and professional development opportunities for teachers, especially those that encourage them to stay in K-12 education. Funding can total $35,000, but varies on the program's size. For more information visit www.braitmayerfoundation.org/guid.htm. Deadline is June 1 and Nov. 15.
Collect equipment from Campbell's
Involve your school in a 36-year tradition. Campbell's Labels for Education program offers educational equipment in exchange for proofs of purchase from Campbell's brands. If you've participated before, be sure to check the Web site, as some of the collection rules have changed. For more information, visit www.labelsforeducation.com/. Deadline is June 1.
Do you have a great parents' group?
PTO Today will award cash and other prizes in the Parent Group of the Year contest. PTOs, PTAs and other groups are eligible for awards in eight categories. Categories include Outstanding Family Event, Outstanding Community Service Program and Outstanding New Group. Winners will receive $500 to $3,000 and cases of personalized chocolate bars for fundraisers. For more information, visit www.ptotoday.com/pgy/. Deadline is June 1.
Recognize a Garden Crusader from your school
Honor a great Garden Crusader from your school or district. The Garden Crusader Awards from Gardener's Supply Co. honors individuals who are improving the world through gardening. Twenty-one winners will receive awards up to $2,500 in cash and gift certificates. http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Link-Page?id=5549. Deadline is June 1.
Teach your students about the weather
The National Weather Association and the Sol Hirsch Education Fund will award grants of $500 to K-12 teachers to improve their students' understanding of meteorology. Teachers can use the money to take an accredited course in atmospheric sciences, attend a workshop or conference or purchase equipment or materials for their classroom. For more information, visit www.nwas.org/grants/solhirsch.php. Deadline is June 1.
National Endowment for the Arts offers grants
The National Endowment for the Arts Learning in the Arts for Children grant supports programs that help young people gain knowledge, understanding and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning, and engage students with skilled artists and teachers. Projects may take place in school or community settings. For more information, visit www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP11/LITA.html. Deadline is June 10.
Are bugs abuzz in your classroom?
The Entomological Society of America recognizes educators who have used insects as educational tools. The President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary and Secondary Education will be awarded to one teacher each at the K-6 and 7-12 levels. Winners will receive $400 for their school to expand the use of insects in the teaching curriculum; a $400 award for travel expenses to present a paper or poster on the use of insects in the classroom; an $800 award to cover travel expenses to attend the ESA's annual meeting; and free registration for the ESA's annual meeting. Recipients do not need to be members of the society. For more information, visit www.entsoc.org/awards/professional/educational.htm. Deadline is July 1.
VFW recognizes citizenship education
The VFW will give its National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award to K-12 teachers who teach citizenship regularly and promote American history and traditions. Winners and their schools will each receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Community Service Conference. For more information, visit www.vfw.org/. Deadline is November 1.
Allstate Foundation offers grants
The Allstate Foundation supports national and local programs that fit within three focus areas: safe and vital communities; economic empowerment; and tolerance, inclusion and diversity. For more information, visit www.allstate.com/foundation/funding-guidelines.aspx. There is no deadline.
Bring baseball and softball to your school
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a program from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to improve youth participation in baseball and softball. Funds distributed through the program may cover fields, uniforms, equipment, coaches' training and more. About 40 grants are awarded per year, with an average $50,000, to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations, including schools. For more information, visit mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/btf.jsp. There is no deadline, but applications take three to six months to review.
Bring bluegrass to your school
The Bluegrass in the Schools mini-grant offers supplemental grants of up to $200 for educational in-school programs that present bluegrass music. Programs that bring live ensembles to schools are encouraged, as are those that discuss the history and pioneers of bluegrass, instruments involved and vocal harmony structure of bluegrass music. For more information, visit www.ibma.org/events.programs/schools/. There is no deadline.
Build-A-Bear Workshop offers grants
The Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation offers grants for projects and organizations that support children, families, animals and the environment. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with an average grant amount of $2,500. For more information, visit www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/babwfoundation.aspx. There is no deadline.
Digital Wish: One link, 43 grants
Create a lesson plan with Digital Wish and be entered to win a digital camera lab and up to 43 grants and awards. Each lesson plan will be entered into your class profile, and the top entries will be invited to be part of a national database. Olympus and Tool Factory created Digital Wish to help connect educators with funding for technology. Your digital "wish list" will also be posted so that donors can see what your classroom needs. For more information, visit www.digitalwish.com/. There is no deadline.
The Fender Music Foundation offers grants of $500 to $5,000 to provide musical instruments and equipment to youth music programs. The grants are available to school music classes, after-school music programs and music therapy programs. For more information visit www.fendermusicfoundation.org/grants/. There is no deadline.
Get actuaries into your school
Schools wishing to develop an actuarial mentoring program can apply for a grant from the Actuarial Foundation's Advancing Student Achievement program. Programs should enhance learning, foster a love of math and aim to bring actuaries from the region into the classroom. For more information, visit www.actuarialfoundation.org/grant/what.html. There is no deadline.
Grants bring archery to the schools
The Easton Sports Development Foundation offers grants to schools and other organizations for programs that promote archery and bow hunting to young people. For more information, visit www.esdf.org. There is no deadline for grant requests of less than $25,000. For grants of $25,000 or more, deadlines are Sept. 1 and March 1.
Grants for Congressional awareness
The Dirksen Congressional Center has resumed its special-project funding program, now called the Robert H. Michel Special Project Grants. The grants will fund projects that advance understanding of the U.S. Congress through research and teaching. For more information, visit www.dirksencenter.org/print_grants_overview.htm. There is no deadline.
Grants for educators who are Civil Air Patrol members
The Civil Air Patrol Educator Grant offers grants of up to $250 for aerospace-related materials such as model rocket and airplane materials, books, DVDs, or software, or field trips to aerospace-related sites. The grant is open to teachers who are members of Aerospace Education or the Civil Air Patrol. The grant is sponsored by the Air Force Association and the Civil Air Patrol. For more information, visit www.afa.org/aef/aid/cap_ed.asp. There is no deadline.
Grants for innovative teaching of English to immigrants
The Ray Solem Foundation offers grants for organizations that provide language education to immigrants. Organizations could receive a grant of up to $10,000. For more information, visit www.raysolemfund.org/grants.html. There is no deadline.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is offering grants to enhance science, technology and mathematics programs with materials and supplies. Grants of up to $200 are available four times a year, with schools being limited to $1,000 per year. Grants include sponsorship of teams for robotics competitions. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=244. Grants are made quarterly.
Mini-grants foster students' interest in radio
The AARL Foundation, supporting amateur radio across the country, wants to improve access to amateur radio programs for youth. Mini-grants of up to $1,000 will be given to such projects as securing equipment for club stations, purchasing training materials, supporting service projects that bring favorable public exposure, and similar activities. Preference will be given to projects for which matching funds are raised locally. For more information, visit www.arrlf.org/special_programs/VCC_youth_fund. There is no deadline.
Musical instruments for small or rural schools
Country music star Chely Wright wants to help out the music programs at small and rural schools. Wright, a native of the Kansas City area, founded Reading, Writing and Rhythm, which allows small and rural schools to request musical instrument donations. The organization makes donations twice a year, and tries to accommodate as many requests as possible. For more information, visit www.rwandr.com. There is no deadline.
Seek support with Adopt-a-Classroom
Adopt-a-Classroom allows public-school teachers to register in hopes of matching them with businesses or other organizations that offer financial contributions. Adoptees will receive $500 from their benefactors to use on classroom supplies and materials. For more information, visit www.adoptaclassroom.com. There is no deadline.