Classroom teachers!!! Do you have a million creative ideas for your classroom, but just don’t have the money to implement them? Are you frustrated with the $200 your school gives you every year to buy supplies? Do you want to incorporate technology into your lessons, but struggle to do so with the two desktop computers in your classroom?
I totally understand, I’ve been there. Teaching is one of the most unappreciated jobs in America and teachers need help more than ever! As a former teacher, I get anxiety when the school supplies monopolize stores in the summer because I know my teacher friends are about to spend approximately $500 buying materials for their classrooms. I have good news for you, superhero teachers! You don’t have to wait around for your school to give you your supply budget, or clear out your bank account to get the resources you need to teach, encourage, and motivate the learners in your classroom.
There are many classroom grants and fundraising platforms to help you get the tools you need for your classroom! Many communities, grocery stores, and sports teams have education foundations set up to help teachers and schools, so make sure to research your local area for grant opportunities too! Yes, I’m recommending for you to work harder than you already do to write out a grant proposal or application, but unfortunately, the school system and funding do not appear to be changing anytime soon. Hopefully this grant and fundraising list below will eventually make your job easier and help you get the necessary resources for your students and classroom. Eva Amurri once said “A good teacher who can take the zero pay and help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially, is literally an angel” and I couldn’t agree with Eva more.
Here are ten grants for your classroom:
Do you have an innovative idea for improving Science, technology, engineering and math learning in your classroom? Toshiba wants to help you!
Dollar General offers a Literacy grant to fill your classroom library.
Lowe’s wants to know how to make your school a better place.
Pets in the Classroom will help you purchase and maintain small animals in the classroom.
The Association of American Educators offers classroom grants that can be used for a variety of projects and materials, including but not limited to books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials.
Target wants to take your class on a great field trip!
Do you provide after school enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low income students and their families? Walmart offers community grants to help your program!
W.K. Kellogg Foundation offers a direct service grant to purchase school supplies and books for your classroom library.
If you are a teacher in Hartford, Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., or Providence, then you are eligible to apply for a community through the Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation.
Pioneer offers a Pre-K to 12 education grant that supports literacy programs, science fairs, supplies for science classrooms, teaching gardens and greenhouses, support of local FFA and 4H programs
Online fundraising opportunities for teachers:
Donors Choose gives teachers the opportunity to request the items needed in the classroom, the community donates towards the project requests, and then the box of supplies is shipped to the teacher at the school.
Adopt a Classroom thinks teachers shouldn't have to spend their own money on school supplies. My classroom was adopted by JC Penney when I was a teacher and I received much needed sensory tools for my students.
Supply A Classroom provides teachers with two large boxes of school supplies after they submit a successful application.
Best of luck on your grant application or fundraising submission! Do you have a question about any of these grants or fundraising opportunities for your classroom? Send me an email at santacruzgrants@gmail.com