Featured Upcoming Grant Opportunities
Here are three upcoming significant grant opportunities:
Whole Kids Foundation Healthy Kids Innovation Grant
Program Information: The program supports the next generation of innovative ideas in children’s healthy eating and nutrition. Whole Kids aims to bring together multi-sector leaders in food, health, fitness and technology in support of the next big idea. Projects must proposed to scale up a concept that has been piloted in at least one classroom.
Who Can Apply: Open to educators, individuals, and non-profit organizations. Each application must have a partner school or district that will provide a letter of support for the programming.
Award: Grants will range from $15,000 to $25,000
Deadlines: Letters of interest due 11/30/15, full applications for invited applicants due 12/15/15
For complete information visit the Whole Kids Foundation
Program Information: KaBOOM! has ongoing grant opportunities for community partners to transform their community spaces into dream playspaces for kids.
Deadlines: Grants are ongoing and applicants are invited to apply in advance. Notifications are made as opportunities present themselves.
For complete information visit Build it with KaBOOM!
2016 Environmental Solutions for Communities Grant Program (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation)
Program Information: “Wells Fargo and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seek to promote sustainable communities through Environmental Solutions for Communities by supporting highly-visible projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment.”
View the Project Priorities and Project Metrics here.
Who Can Apply: Non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Indian tribes, and educational institutions.
Award: Each grant will range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Deadline:12/10/15
For complete information visit the Environmental Solution for Communitites section of NFWF
Some Upcoming Grant Opportunities: Fall 2015
Here are some featured upcoming grant opportunities:
Fuel Up To Play 60 Grants (All States)
Program Information: Up to $4,000 per year is available to qualified K-12 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to kick start healthy changes. Grants are for approved physical activity and healthy eating “plays.”
Deadline: November 4th, 2015
2015 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants (California)
Program Information: This grant will allow school food authorities (SFA) to purchase the equipment needed to serve healthier meals, meet the new nutritional standards with an emphasis on more fresh fruits and vegetables, improve food safety, and expand access. Awards will be up to $100,000
Deadline: November 2nd, 2015
Program Information: Applicants may select one of the following goals: (1.) Increased student achievement; (2.) A spending reduction in the five-year forecast or positive performance on other fiscal measures established by the Straight A Fund Governing Board; (3.) Greater share of resources directed into the classroom; and (4.) Use of a shared services delivery model that demonstrates increased efficiency and effectiveness, long-term sustainability and scaleability. Individual applicants my request up to $1 Million, and consortia may request up to $15 Million; although because only a total of $15 Million is available this year, requests for under $1 Million may receive preference/priority.
Deadline: December 1st, 2015
NYS Health Foundation 2016 Special Projects Fund (New York)
Program Information: The Special Projects Fund provides grants for projects outside of the Foundation’s two priority areas of (1) Building healthy communities and (2) Improving transparency and affordability to empower consumers. Projects serving vulnerable populations and that are expected to have large-scale or statewide impact tend to be more competitive.
Deadline: There are two cycles. The required online inquiry form deadlines are November 4th, 2015 and April 7th, 2016. Full application deadlines are December 29th, 2015 and Wednesday May 25th, 2016. Applications in which the Foundation is interested following review of the online inquiry form will be invited to submit full applications and sent information on how to do that at that time.
Colorado Health Foundation’s Out-of-School Time Physical Activity Grants (Colorado)
Program Information: This funding opportunity will support organizations to provide quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school time settings (including before school, after school and summer programs). Applicants must propose to add or expand physical activity in an existing out-of-school time program. Projects must focus on grades K-8 and serve a high proportion of students from high-need/low-income communities. The funder also requires proposed programs, “Provide a minimum of 90 minutes of structured physical activity per week, for no less than two days per week. Children must be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a minimum of 50 percent of the structured physical activity time.”
Deadlines: February 15th, 2016 and June 15th, 2016
Saucony Run for Good Grants (All States)
Program Information: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed to reversing obesity rates by offering children the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of running and a healthier lifestyle. Maximum award size is $10,000 to initiate, expand, or improve running programs for children and/or teens.
Deadlines: Deadlines are on February 1st and August 1st annually.
Grant Opportunity: People For Bikes Community Grants
PeopleForBikes announced their Spring 2015 grant round awards which ranged from $800 to $10,000 over the summer. These grants support bicycle infrastructure and advocacy initiatives in communities across the country. Read about some of the cool projects they are funding here.
Information on the application process is available here, and full grant guidelines here.
Who Can Apply:
“PeopleForBikes accepts grant applications from non-profit organizations with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development, from city or county agencies or departments, and from state or federal agencies working locally. PeopleForBikes only funds projects in the United States. Requests must support a specific project or program; we do not grant funds for general operating costs.”
Some examples of projects that they fund include infrastructure projects: bike paths, lanes, trails, and bridges, mountain bike facilities, bike parks and pump tracks, BMX facilities, bike racks, bike parking, bike storage and advocacy projects: programs that transform city streets and initiatives designed to increase ridership or the investment in bicycle infrastructure.
This is a great program and if you are interested in a bicycle related grant make sure to research this opportunity to see if you project may be a potential match for funding.
Grant Opportunity: Learning Technology Grant (NYS)
The New York State Education Department is offering funding through the 2015-2018 Learning Technology Grant Program.
“The Purpose of this grant is to help transform learning environments through the integrated use of instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries, and to provide sustained professional development to increase the skills of teachers and school librarians in the use of instructional technology in coordination and implementation of the Learning Standards of New York State ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html), and the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/). The goals of this grant are to integrate instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries to help students attain higher levels of performance in the State Learning Standards of NY and NYS Common Core Learning Standards to ensure that all New York students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.”
Examples of Learning Technology programs given include: Professional development for the integration of instructional technology purchase through the Smart Schools Bond Act, One-to-one computing programs, closing the digital divide, flipped classrooms, online and blended learning initiatives including creation or completion of course models for use in online or blended learning environments, increased broadband access, computer-based testing readiness, online learning as accommodations for students with disabilities, and school librarians as educational technology leaders.
Who Can Apply? Public school districts and BOCES. Big Five Applicants – New York City, and Big 4 – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers –must include a primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” in the application to be considered for funding. Rest of State (ROS) applicants must include primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” or “Focus” in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must give nonpublic schools within their boundaries the opportunity to participate. In NYC, the districts/applicants are the Community School Districts (CSD) within NYC DOE.
Awards: Maximum amount is $50,000 per project year. The grant period runs December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.
Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2015
To get complete information and to access the application, visit the Learning Technology grant page at NYSED.gov.
Grant Opportunity: Health Foundation of South Florida Healthy Eating Active Communities
The Health Foundation of South Florida is accepting applications now and Healthy Eating Active Communities is one of their four priority areas. These grants can be for one to two years with award sizes between $20,000 and $160,000 for the full project period. The funder advises most grants are between $50,000 and $120,000.
Preliminary proposals are required and are due by August 7, 2015 at 3pm Eastern. If the Foundation is interested in the project, a full proposal will be requested and due by September 15, 2015 for further consideration.
This Foundation serves Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties in Florida. For more information visit the Health Foundation of South Florida website.
Grant Opportunity: Skills for Success (New Program Through ED)
A new grant program through the U.S. Department of Education titled “Skills for Success” is opening this week (6/11/15).
“The Skills for Success Program supports Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and their partners in implementing, evaluating, and refining tools and approaches for developing the non-cognitive skills of middle-grades students in order to increase student success. Grants provide funding for the implementation, evaluation, and refinement of existing tools and approaches (e.g. digital games, growth mindset classroom activities, experiential learning opportunities) that integrate the development of students’ non-cognitive skills into classroom-level activities and existing strategies designed to improve schools.”
The program has two absolute priorities:
Developing Non-Cognitive Skills in Middle-Grades Students and Supporting High-Need Students
Deadline: July 29th, 2015
Awards: 4 to 5 awards are expected to be made, with awards having an average size of $500,000
For complete information, look for the RFP to be available through the ED.gov Forecast of Funding Page under the Office of Innovation and Improvement. The Federal Register announcement can be viewed here.
Sharing Great Ideas in Action (NY)! Insight Sponsored Mini-Grants
Insight Grants Development has been proud to work with many NY schools to obtain funding and evaluate successes for AWESOME physical activity and healthy eating projects since 2006! We know that there are many schools out there who are doing terrific work – with and without outside funding. We know that funding sources are limited, and sustainability is always a critical challenge. In 2015, we’d like to play a part in helping spread the word about cost-effective strategies and activities that are working in NY schools.
Please join us in submitting your best projects and activities!
- Submitted projects and activities will be featured on our blog this Fall.
- The top 3 will receive awards of $200 each to continue making or sustaining improvements at their schools!
Interested in participating? Email a submission of no more than 2 single-spaced pages (font size 11+) that includes the information below to info@insightgrants.com by July 1, 2015!
1. Full name, address, phone number for the school, and grades served. (Up to two submissions may be sent for an individual school.)
2. Full name, title, phone number, and email address of the individual sending the submission (Teachers, principals, other school staff, parents, and coaches are all eligible to participate!)
3. Full name, phone number, and email address of the school principal and assurance the principal has been made aware of the submission.
4. An explanation of the strategy, activity, or program you have participated in putting in place to increase physical activity and/or healthy eating at your school. Up to three strategies/activities/ programs may be included in each submission. Be sure to include for each:
a. Name of the strategy/activity/program and date of initial implementation
b. Whether it promotes physical activity, healthy eating, or both
c. How it works
d. When it is offered
e. Who uses the strategy/activity/program (ex: PE teachers, classroom teachers, cafeteria aides, etc.) and for which participating audiences (ex: students, staff, families, etc.)
f. Your role in putting the strategy/activity/program in place
g. Who partnered with you to put the strategy/activity/program in place and how
h. Why you chose to do this. Be clear about the challenges or problems at your school that needed to be addressed. If you looked at data to determine your need for the strategy/activity/program, please share that.
i. Results you’ve seen since implementing the strategy/program/activity (IMPORTANT)
j. If outside funding was needed, how much was received, when, and from which funder
k. Your plans for sustainability, including any ongoing funding, equipment, training, and/or staffing needs in order to sustain these efforts and their impact
Grant Opportunity: Native Youth Grant through ED
The Federal Register recently published the announcement for Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs-Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program.
The purpose of the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.
Deadline Information: Notice of Intent to Apply is June 2, 2015. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications is June 29, 2015.
Awards: Estimated range of awards is $400,000-$600,000 and 5 to 7 awards are expected to be made.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include State educational agencies; LEAs, including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law; Indian tribes; Indian organizations; BIE-funded schools; Indian institutions (including Indian IHes); or a consortium of any of these entities.
For complete information on the program visit the announcement post on federalregister.gov
Grant Opportunities: Digital Wish Technology Grants and Teaching Resources
By Jen Adams
Who is offering this grant? Digital Wish is a nonprofit organization that believes that every child deserves a technology-rich education that will provide them with the skills necessary to excel in the global economy.
What is the purpose? Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to help teachers solve technology shortfalls in their classrooms. Apply for grants, create a wish list of technology your classroom needs, and share lesson plans and fundraising ideas with fellow educators across the country. Digital Wish also provides a searchable library of grants and a myriad of ideas for fundraising. The entire site is designed to empower teachers to find funding for technology for their classrooms.
What types of activities might be supported? Digital Wish supports specific technology initiatives each month. By submitting a lesson plan that responds to the targeted material, educators have an opportunity to receive curricula and associated materials free of cost. After registering at the Digital Wish site, you can login and submit a technology-based lesson plan for a chance to win over 50 different technology grants. In addition to serving as your grant application, every lesson plan you enter will be automatically added to your classroom’s profile, allowing you to share technology integration ideas with colleagues and fellow educators across the country! Examples of current grant opportunities are listed below.
| · Digital Citizenship and Cyber Safety – April – Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Submit a lesson plan on cyber safety or digital citizenship and qualify for a Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package awards. Students will be well-prepared to use technology every day in a safe, respectful, and responsible way. Digital Citizenship Unit contains an instructor preparation checklist and four important lessons: Digital Citizens and the Internet; Cyber Safety; Safety Skits for Reinforcement; Copyright in the Classroom. | |
| · Autism Awareness Month – Tool Factory’s Autism Software Bundle for Interactive Devices ($249.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Create and submit a unique lesson plan on inclusive teaching techniques with autistic elementary students. Lesson plans utilizing tablets and interactive devices are encouraged. Award: Tool Factory’s Autism Bundle that offers tools to: Encourage collaboration; Develop concentration and attention; Inspire imaginative play; Promote reading / early literacy; Teach emotional literacy. | |
| · Mobile Devices in the Classroom – April – 1 Dell Venue Pro Smartphone ($399.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| · Let’s Get Podcasting – Simple Guide to Podcasting Book/Cd Set and the Adventures in Podcasting! Incredible Lesson Plans for Your Classroom Book/CD Set! Plus Tool Factory Podcasting w/Video Software ($100.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 11:59:59 PM | |
| · Collaborative Writing and Debating – April – Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Write and submit a lesson plan on collaborative writing or debating and you may be awarded a Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package. Using the Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package students will become editors of their own classroom wiki or other collaborative website. The right wiki program will allow students to post questions, pictures for analysis, or documents for group editing. They will also be able to see their classmates’ work and give feedback digitally, creating a classroom environment that gives all students a voice and nourishes and fosters fresh ideas. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to practice good digital citizenship. | |
Who can apply? Teachers and educators from private and public schools across the nation. Find your school and register here: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grant_awards.
When is the application due? There are specific deadlines associated with technology initiatives which change on a monthly basis (see sample grants and deadlines above).
How much can I request? Grants are awarded in the form of technology and/or associated curricula and materials. See examples above.
When will the awards be made? Grants will be awarded on the 15th of every calendar month after the grant application deadline
Is there anything else I should know? Lesson plans may cover any subject area. For monthly recurring grants, you don’t have to reapply to be considered. Relevant lesson plans will be stored and reevaluated each month.
Judging Criteria
- Guideline adherence. Lesson plans must follow the directions outlined in each grant’s description.
- Coherency. Lesson plans must be well-organized and well-written.
- Proper Grammar Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling. Lessons should contain no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
- Curriculum Relevance. Lesson plans must be curriculum-oriented.
- Creativity and Fun. Lesson plans must be unique and exciting to implement.
- Student Involvement. Lesson plans must encourage student participation.
- Technology Integration. Lesson plans must incorporate technology.
How can I find out more? Visit the Digital Wish site at: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants and view the full grants calendar.
US Department of Education Higher Education Grants Focus on Improving Accessibility for Minority Groups and Low-Income Individuals
By Jen Adams
The 2015 grant forecast for the US Department of Education’s (ED) Grant Programs in Higher Education reflects a focus on reducing educational disparities for several key subpopulations. The Department continues to support programs for Hispanic and African American populations and has released new opportunities that assist Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders. In addition to boosting the educational progress of these minority groups, ED has announced funding for institutions serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and veteran students, and grants to support innovations that make college more affordable for low-income families. Brief descriptions of these and other recently forecasted grant programs are included below:
The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program was released in March with a deadline of May 15, 2015. HSI provides grants to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students, aiming to help large numbers of Hispanic and other low-income students complete postsecondary degrees. Eligible applicants include: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that qualify as HISs by having: 1) An enrollment of needy students, as defined by the Higher Education Association; and 2) Average educational and general expenditures that are low, per full-time equivalent undergraduate student, in comparison to similar institutions. Estimated total program funding for 2015 is $52,287,473 and 87 awards of $500,000-$650,000 are expected. Learn more here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-20/pdf/2015-06501.pdf.
The First in the World Program is available only to Minority-Serving Institutions or consortia and will provide grants to spur the development of innovations that make college more affordable for students and families. $20,000,000 has been slated for seven awards in 2015, but limited information is available until its official announcement, expected later this Spring.
The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions Program has been offered previously by the Department of Education, but appears not to have distributed a competitive award since 2011. The program provides grants to eligible IHEs that have an undergraduate enrollment of at least 10 percent Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students, to assist such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and their capacity to serve this population. Applications are due May 19, 2015 and the Department anticipates funding ten awards of $300-$400,000. Find more information at this link: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/applicant.html.
Funding will be offered this Spring to support Predominately Black Institutions. Applicants that applied for Designation as an Eligible institution for FY 2015 are eligible to apply as well as accredited IHEs that meet guidelines for enrollment of needy students and minorities as well as parameters for tuition expenses. Institutions may use Federal funds to establish or strengthen programs in the following areas: 1. Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM); 2. Health education; 3. Internationalization or globalization; 4.Teacher preparation; or 5. Improving educational outcomes of African American males. The grant is targeted for release in early May with a June deadline. $13,000,000 is expected to fund 25 awards. Find out more here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/pbi/index.html.
$5,000,000 for approximately 15 awards has been set aside for Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success. The program was previously offered in 2010, but awards do not appear to have not been made since that time. Competitive and discretionary funding is due for announcement this month with an anticipated deadline on or around June 12, 2015. This program is open to IHEs and encourages model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address their academic, financial, physical, and social needs. Find out more here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/cevss/index.html.
The Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities will be extended to IHEs or consortia who propose to create or expand high quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. A single round of funding for this program was offered in 2010 and archived application materials as well as additional information are available here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/tpsid/applicant.html. A competition is expected to be announced this Spring with a deadline in early May. $9,972,879.00 is available for an estimated 27 awards.
