Grants & Scholarships for Educators

School and classroom grants can fill in the gaps sometimes left behind by limited school budgets. Grants help educators get resources they might not be able to otherwise. Since many grants have rolling deadlines, teachers, ESPs, and administrators can apply as needed.

 

What is a grant? Grants are typically awarded to schools/educators to help them fulfill a specific goal, like improving their school library or implementing a new curriculum. For educators and schools who need more financial support than their current budget provides, an education grant can be a much more helpful form of school funding.

 

Below, we’ve created a guide on notable K–12 grants, fellowships and scholarships available for teachers, school administrators, and ESPs—Scroll through the application requirements and deadlines to find the right fit for your school’s needs. These funds come from all sorts of sources, from the federal government to private companies and charities, and they focus on a wide range of topics. 

Grants

 

DonorsChoose Grants: Teachers can create a fundraiser that allows others to donate toward goals like new school resources or classroom projects.
Who’s Eligible: Any teacher or school administrator with financial need
How to Apply: Create an account and set up a fundraiser, then share for others to donate.

 

NEA Learning & Leadership Grants: This grant supports educators from districts with limited budgets with the funding to access professional development opportunities.
Who’s Eligible: Teachers and school administrators who are current NEA members
How to Apply: Fill out the online application and submit a grant proposal. This grant has three application windows every year:

  • December 1-February 1 of each year, with notifications by April 1
  • March 1-May 1, with notifications by July 1
  • June 15-September 15, with notifications by November 15

 

Snapdragon Book Foundation: For school libraries in need, the Snapdragon Book Foundation provides annual grants for books and literary resources to enrich school reading programs.
Who’s Eligible: School librarians who serve disadvantaged communities
How to Apply: Fill out the online application and send it by the annual February deadline.

 

Walmart Local Community Grants: This grant provides schools in need with the funding to complete educational projects or purchase classroom resources.
Who’s Eligible: K–12 public, private, or charter schools who exhibit financial need
How to Apply: Submit an online grant application, which has an annual deadline of December 31.

 

Scholarships

 

Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship: The Alabama Humanities Alliance awards the Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship annually and is awarded to K-8 educators in support of history- and civics-related projects in their schools and classrooms. The award aids teachers in attending a conference, purchasing classroom materials, or creating programs that enhance students’ understanding of history and civics. 
Who’s Eligible: All K-8 educators in public and private Alabama schools
How to Apply:The next application period will open in Spring 2022. Interested educators will be asked to complete a scholarship form and submit it alongside a cover letter to the Alabama Humanities Alliance.