Global Updates From World View
November 2005
Grant Opportunities for Educators
Educators often ask members of World View how they can obtain funds for their global education projects. Listed below are selected foundations that have grant making programs. Each has different priorities, different application processes, and different deadlines. It also is important to note that foundations regularly change priorities, applications, and deadlines, so remember to check back with the foundations’ websites for the most updated and accurate information. The list below is a work in progress. I encourage you to send Global Updates an email when you discover additional foundations or have tips for educators in securing funds. Thanks!
Alcoa Foundation
www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/info_page/Request_grant.asp
The Alcoa Foundation grants awards in communities where Alcoa has a presence. Currently in North Carolina Alcoa has a site in Badin County, Cary, Catawba County, Greensboro, and Salisbury. Requests must align with one of the areas of interest including global education and workplace skills, conservation and sustainability, business and communication partnerships, and safe and healthy children and families.
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation (Deadline: April 6, 2006) www.mgaef.org
This small foundation provides grants of $1,000 to educators to develop or implement environmental curricula. Priority is given to public school educators, as well as to those projects that encourage the integration of multiple disciplines and include cooperative work with multiple school districts.
AT&T Foundation www.att.com/foundation
The AT&T Foundation supports initiatives that focus on technology and innovation in three primary areas: education, civic and community service, and arts and culture. The majority of funds are distributed through invitational programs and the foundation does not often fund unsolicited proposals. However, public and private K-12 and higher education institutions and educational non-profits are eligible.
Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation (Deadlines: February 1 and July 1, 2006) www.mrbf.org
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation invites proposals from local, statewide, and regional nonprofits in the Southeastern US that have track records of helping low-wealth people build assets and transform economic conditions in their communities. Proposals must align with the Foundation’s missions and beliefs. The amount of grants awarded in previous years has varied.
Bank of America Foundation (Deadline: ongoing)
www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm
The Foundation supports tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations and serves the communities located across Bank of America’s franchise. Individual public and private schools are ineligible, but systems may apply. Priorities defined for the markets within North Carolina vary. However, education is listed as a priority in each region. Visit the Foundation’s website for more information.
Best Buy Children’s Foundation, Teach Program (Deadline was in September for 2005. Mark your calendar now to apply in 2006) www.bestbuy.com/teach
Best Buy Children’s Foundation funds grants that connect kids, technology, and education. There are three levels of awards: 1. Gift cards valued at $2,500 2. Additional awards of $15,000 and 3. Winners of a $15,000 award can submit a proposal to win $250,000.
Blumenthal Foundation (Deadline: ongoing)
www.blumenthalfoundation.org
The Blumenthal Foundation focuses the majority of its grants on programs and projects that have an impact on Charlotte, and the state of North Carolina. The philanthropic efforts of the Foundation are focused in nine areas of grant making: Arts, Science, and Culture, Civic and Community, Education, Environment, Foundation Affiliates, Health, Jewish Institutions and Philanthropies, Religious and Interfaith, and Social Services. Presently the Foundation makes grants only to nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organizations and institutions that are exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code or to a governmental agency. Grants are not made to individuals.
The Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation www.brader-araje.org
This foundation supports innovative programs dedicated to North Carolina’s children, education, health care, and women’s rights. (Unsolicited proposals not accepted at this time, but check back with this foundation for future requests for proposals.)
Braitmayer Foundation Grants (Deadlines: June 30 and November 15)
www.braitmayerfoundation.org/guid.htm
The Braitmayer Foundation offers two grant programs. One is for grants up to $1,000 and a second is for grants up to $35,000. These grants fund a broad range of K-12 education programs, with a particular interest in curricular reform initiatives and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those encouraging people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. All K-12 schools in the United States, as well as independent 501(c)(3) organizations with an interest education, are eligible. See the Foundation’s website for specific application instructions.
The Cannon Foundation (Deadlines: January 5, April 5, July 5, October 5)
www.thecannonfoundationinc.org
The Cannon Foundation funds grants primarily in the areas of healthcare, higher education, and community service. Cabarrus County is the primary geographic area of interest, although grants are made throughout North Carolina, especially in rural areas. All applicants must qualify under Sections 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be classified as a public charity. Churches and governmental agencies are exempted, but grants are not given to individuals. The amount an applicant receives is based on a number of factors including the magnitude of the project, the funds available for distribution, the level of the Foundation's interest, competition for funding, and other considerations.
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (Deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15 for 2005. Check back for 2006 deadlines) www.cfgg.org
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation allocates support for a wide range of community issues through the Community Grants Program. Grants are awarded to meet community needs and opportunities in the arts, humanities, civic affairs, community development, health and human services, education, and the environment; local nonprofit organizations may also apply for grants to help strengthen their organizational capacity in various aspects of nonprofit management. Grants will vary in size, duration, and frequency, and are determined based on the merit of the program and its potential impact. Grants usually range in size from a few hundred dollars up to $10,000; larger grants may be considered in rare occasions.
Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (Deadlines: vary depending on grant) www.cfwnc.org/grants.html
A key role of The Community Foundation is to match donor funds with promising projects from nonprofit organizations across Western North Carolina. There are several different grants available and each grant program has specific application criteria and deadlines. Please consult with the Foundation’s website for more information.
The Dirksen Center, Michel Special Projects Grants (Deadline: ongoing) www.dirksencenter.org/print_grants_specialprojects.htm
The Center serves two primary audiences: scholars who conduct research about Congress and teachers who teach social studies, history, political science, and other subjects which relate to Congress. Accordingly, the Michel Special Projects grants are intended to support work that advances the public understanding of the federal legislature through research and teaching. The projects must have as their central focus the U.S. Congress. The Center places a higher value on innovative endeavors that have the potential to reach a broad audience.
DonorsChoose (Deadline: ongoing) www.donorschoosenc.org
DonorsChoose is a unique and innovative program that matches donors’ funds with school projects. Public school teachers submit a project proposal for materials or experiences for their students and philanthropists can search a proposal database and choose which project they might like to fund across the state. There are no deadlines and no dollar limit, but the majority of the projects funded within three months of a request are under $400.
Ford Foundation (Deadline: ongoing) www.fordfound.org
The Ford Foundation provides grants to organizations and individuals in several fields of interest. One current spectrum of interest is: knowledge, creativity, and freedom. There is no application, but a letter of inquiry should be sent to the Foundation’s headquarters in New York to determine whether the foundation's present interests and funds permit consideration of the request.
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program (Deadline: generally in October of each year) www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/index.html
This program provides short-term study/travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators (K-12 and higher institutions) in area studies and humanities for the purpose of improving their understanding and knowledge of the people and culture of another country(ies). All seminars are in non-Western European Studies. Seminars take place from late-June to mid-August and last 4 to 6 weeks.
FutureReady (Deadline: November 15, 2005) www.futureready.org
FutureReady, a collaboration between Dell, Microsoft, and Intel, is accepting applications for the K–12 IT Visionary Contest. K–12 educators, staff, and administrators in the U.S. can submit essays describing their vision for the future and how technology could transform education for their students. Winners will be selected by a panel of national experts, and each winning school will be awarded technology and services with an approximate retail value of $250,000.
Gannett Foundation (Deadlines: January 15, May 15, August 15) www.gannettfoundation.org/communities.htm
The Gannett Foundation supports local organizations in communities where the Gannett Company owns local daily newspapers or broadcast stations. In North Carolina, Gannett has operations in Asheville and Greensboro and in South Carolina, Gannett has operations in Greenville and Columbia . The Gannett Foundation values projects that take a creative approach to issues such as education.
Inspiration Software, Inspired Teacher Scholarship (Deadline: January 30, 2006 ) www.inspiration.com/scholarship
Inspiration Software is offering 25 scholarships in the amount of $750 each to educators who demonstrate an understanding of visual learning and a commitment to the integration of visual learning techniques into the curriculum. Five scholarships in the amount of $750 each will be awarded to educators just starting out in the area of visual learning who are ready to learn more. All 30 scholarships are available to fund professional development activities in the areas of visual learning and technology.
National Geographic Teacher Grants (Deadline was in September for 2005. Mark your calendar now to apply in 2006) www.nationalgeographic.com/foundation/grants_teacher.html
Teacher Grants are given directly to K-12 educators to help them make a difference in the classroom, school, district, and community. The goal of the grants is to promote geographic literacy in all children.
National Science Teachers Association (Deadline: January 19, 2006)
www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry/index.htm
Administered by the NSTA, the Toyota TAPESTRY program awards grants and "mini-grants" to K-12 science teachers in 3 categories: environmental science education, physical science application, and literacy and science education. Interested teachers should propose innovative science projects that can be implemented in their school or school district over a one-year period. Projects must demonstrate creativity, involve risk-taking, possess a visionary quality, and model a novel way of presenting science. Grants can be made for up to $10,000 and mini-grants for up to $2,500.
NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education (Deadlines: September 15, February 1, June 1) www.nfie.org/grants.htm
The NEA Foundation provides Innovation Grants and Learning and Leadership Grants of $2,000-$5,000 to teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff in public schools, colleges, and universities for the purpose of engaging in high-quality professional development or implementing innovative ideas that raise student achievement. Groups may also be supported for collegial study.
North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (Deadlines: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1) www.gsk.com/community/ncfound.htm
The NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports activities in North Carolina that help meet the educational and health needs of today's society and future generations. The Foundation focuses on programs that emphasize the understanding and application of health, science and education at all academic and professional levels. The Foundation makes grants only to non-profit, charitable organizations and institutions.
Progress Energy Foundation (Deadlines: Corporate Grants, ongoing. Program Grants, K-12: Feb 1, Higher Education: November 1)
www.progress-energy.com/community/foundation/index.asp
Progress Energy funds two kinds of grants in the areas of education, economic development, the environment, and employee involvement. Corporate grants are available for programs that are relatively small in scope and serve a single community up to a few counties, although they may sometimes have a statewide impact. The grants range in size from several hundred dollars up to $10,000. Most corporate grants focus on education, economic development and the environment, although they may support other important community issues. There are no submission deadlines for corporate grants, which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Progress Energy Foundation also funds larger program grants in the areas of education, economic development, and the environment. The funds for programs are larger in scope and impact and serve a larger region or an entire state. Grants are a minimum of $10,000. Both grants are limited to organizations that serve Progress Energy customers in Florida, North Carolina or South Carolina.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Deadline: ongoing) www.sloan.org
The Sloan Foundation funds initiatives in several areas including education and careers in science and technology, mostly in higher education institutions. Requests for grants can be made at anytime and there is no standard application.
Staples Foundation for Learning (2006 deadlines to be posted)
www.staplesfoundation.org
The goal of the Staples Foundation for Learning is to provide funds to programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people. Proposals up to $25,000 are accepted, but typical grants range between $5,000 and $25,000.
Starr Foundation (Deadline: ongoing) http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/starr
Education has traditionally been the largest area of giving for the Starr Foundation, which also supports activities in international areas. There is no formal application, and the foundation prefers to receive a cover letter setting forth the terms of the grant proposal. The foundation has funded a number of exchange programs over the years to encourage education of US students abroad.
Target, Arts and Reading Grants (Deadline: May 31, 2006) http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/arts_in_education_grants.jhtml
Receiving a grant from Target is unique in that it begins and ends at the store level. Your local Target Store Team Leader is your initial contact when making a grant request. These grants focus on arts and reading programs. The Arts Grants help support programs that bring the arts to schools or children to the arts. Reading Grants are awarded to schools, libraries, and non-profits with programs that promote reading. Both grants range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Teaching Tolerance Grants (Deadline: ongoing) www.tolerance.org/teach/grants/index.jsp
The Southern Poverty Law Center provides Teaching Tolerance grants of up to $2,000 to K-12 classroom teachers for implementing tolerance and youth activism projects in schools and communities.
Triangle Community Foundation (Deadline: ongoing) www.trianglecf.org
The Triangle Community Foundations funds programs and activities from all areas. Nonprofit organizations and other organizations seeking funding can visit the Grant Seekers sections of “Philanthropy Central” to learn more about the Foundation's grants. All organizations must create an Impact Profile, outlining the basic information and needs for the organization. This is not an application, but serves a similar purpose. There is no geographical restriction, although most of TCF donors are located in the Triangle and many have interests in the Triangle.
Toshiba America Foundation Grants (Deadlines: K-6 grade grant: October 1; 7-12 grade grant: year round for grants under $5,000 or February 1 and August 1 for grants over $5,000) www.toshiba.com/taf/apply.html
This foundation provides funding for innovative programs, projects, and activities that help to improve the teaching of science and math in K-12 schools. Grant program is divided into two divisions: grades K-6, and grades 7-12. Public and private schools and teachers are invited to apply.
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (Deadlines: February 1 and August 1) www.zsr.org
Through its interests in pre-collegiate education, the ZSR Foundation supports activities to ensure an equitable and sound education for every student in North Carolina. ZSR hopes to help strengthen programs that train and retain highly qualified teachers and improve educational achievement.
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