Teachers are often limited by their school budgets, making it more difficult to infuse creativity and innovation into their classrooms. Teachers who want to give the best to their students don’t have to limit themselves by having a modest school budget. Multiple education foundations offer educators and non-profit organizations the funding they need to implement innovative programs in their schools and communities to make a significant impact on the lives of students.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Foundation funds large-scale projects that improve education and have a greater impact in the community. Organizations in Los Angeles County are given priority. Grants are available from $10,000 to $250,000. The Annenberg Foundation also offers educational materials for free and workshops for leaders of non-profit organisations to learn how to submit grant proposals.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a US foundation that focuses on helping children get a high-quality secondary and post-secondary education. Most grants go to schools and organizations in the Pacific Northwest. They help to implement kindergarten readiness programs, align instruction with the Common Core State Standards, and create programs that prepare students for college.
American Honda Foundation
The American Honda Foundation grants multiple grants every year, ranging in value from $20,000 to $75,000. The grants are available in all areas of education but are primarily focused on STEM education and literacy. This education foundation may receive grant proposals four times per year from organizations that want to implement programs in these areas.
The NEA Foundation
The NEA Foundation grants are focused on teacher leadership and student achievement. The education foundation has awarded more than $8 million in grants and nearly 200 new grants each year. The Learning & Leadership grants range from $2,000 to $5,000 and are designed to assist educators in planning, presenting and attending professional development sessions. The Student Achievement grants, which range from $2,000 to $5,000 in award amount, are intended to help students develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills through programs, activities, and experiences.
These are just a few of the many foundations that offer grants to improve education in America. The Foundation Center reports that the top 50 foundations awarded $850 million to elementary and secondary education in 2007. Many grants were awarded to large educational institutions and non-profit organizations, but many others were given to students who wanted to improve the lives of their communities and schools.