Funding Opportunities for Educators
As most educators are already aware, financial support is necessary for creating and maintaining new programs and classroom enhancements. While much of AquaGrove’s equipment and resources can be easily sponsored or acquired through a fundraiser (see previous post on AquaGrove’s Fundrasing Resources Kit), there are also a myriad of grants and funding opportunities available every year that can help with both program start-up costs and ongoing expenses.
For this reason, we have gathered a few of the latest grant and funding sources available. Although amounts and deadlines are subject to change based on the funder, as of today, the following grant opportunities are active and serve as solid opportunities for educators to develop and support valuable environmental education and aquaponics learning plans:
KidsGardening offers a variety of grants to new and existing youth garden programs nationwide. As noted on their website, each funding opportunity has its own timeline, defining features, eligibility requirements, and reporting expectations. Current applications that are now available include:
The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the U.S. In 2022, 150 programs will be awarded $500 to start or expand their youth garden or green space. Programs will have the opportunity to apply for additional funding through various specialty award categories.
The grant is open to any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, and certain tax-exempt organizations.
Application Period: January 4, 2022 - February 4, 2022
NEA Foundation Student Success Grants
According to its website, the NEA Foundation aims to support educators engaging students in project-based learning to support the development of skills and dispositions contributing to success and fulfillment in a changing world. Grant funds can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, or technology. Funds are available to current members of the National Education Association who are educators in public schools or public institutions of higher education. Applicants must be teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel. There are two levels of funding ($1,500 and $5,000), and grants fund activities for 12 months from award date.
Winter 2022 Application Period: December 1, 2021 - February 1, 2022
Spring 2022 Application Period: March 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022
Summer 2022 Application Period: June 15, 2022 - September 15, 2022
Toshiba America Foundation Grant
Toshiba America Foundation offers grants for grades 6-12. The program supports innovative ideas for improving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning in the classroom. Grants of $5,000+ are available for teachers who are actively working with 6th-12th grade students. Applications are received on a rolling basis (see website), with the next deadline being March 1, 2022.
While the above listed grant opportunities are just a few of the many available to schools and educators, they are a good place to start when looking to implement a new program in STEM, aquaponics, and/or sustainability. To receive updates on funding opportunities and receive the AquaGrove e-newsletter, send us a request here. To stay connected and have AquaGrove updates added to your social news feed, join us on Twitter, Instagram and FaceBook.