November 2009

Grants

EPA Environmental Education Grants provide up to $10,000 for projects that increase awareness of environmental issues and build skills needed to take action.  Projects should design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Applicants must provide 25% of project costs.  Deadline is December 15.  For more information see http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html

The Witter Bynner Foundation gives grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to further the art of poetry, including school programs or programs focused on at-risk youth or minorities. Deadline is December 31 for a letter of intent.  For more information go to http://www.bynnerfoundation.org/grants/index.htm

Circle K supports 501(c) 3 organizations that assist youth-at-risk and education.  Donation requests must be made in writing to Circle K Stores, Inc., c/o Communications Department, Attention: Donations. Please mail your request to the appropriate regional office with addresses at http://www.circlek.com/CircleK/AboutUs/CommunityService/GuidelinesForGiving.htm

Wildlife Forever grants of $1,000 to $10,000 support habitat restoration and acquisition and educational projects. Special emphasis is on grassroots programs that involve local conservation, sportsmen's or outdoor recreation groups. Funds must be matched on at least a one-to-one basis from a third-party donor. Application Deadlines are January 1 and July 1.

For more information, go to http://wildlifeforever.org/grants/overview.aspx

The SME Education Foundation gives grants of unspecified size to ignite and fuel young learners’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). An emphasis is on attracting under represented populations to manufacturing-related technical programs. On-line applications are accepted October 15 through December 15. For more information, go to http://www.smeef.org/programs/grants/youthGuidelines.html

OCIA Education Micro Grants of $300 to $1,500 fund programs supporting organic agriculture (including camps, community gardens, grocery store taste tests, presentations to interested parties, etc.). For more information, go to http://www.ocia.org/RE/MicroGrant.aspx

Wells Fargo provides grants of $100 to $17,500 to promote academic achievement for low- and moderate-income students in the area of math/science/technology, financial literacy, staff training, parent and community partnerships, and history of the American West.  No grants for travel, equipment or technology. There are no deadlines.  More information is at https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/or_apply

The RGK Foundation awards one-year grants of up to $25,000 in the broad areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health.  Primary interests include programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading/literacy) after school tutoring, integrating technology into curriculum; and teacher development. The first step is an online Letter of Inquiry.  The foundation accepts only one letter of inquiry per organization per year, so please notify the grants office of your intent to send one. There is no deadline. For more information, see http://www.rgkfoundation.org/public/guidelines

Qwest Foundation grants provide $500-$10,000 to community-based programs in the area of pre-K-12 education. Most grants (of $500) are to acknowledge the volunteer work of a Qwest employee at the receiving institution.  The Foundation will also consider providing larger grants for programs that: 1. Effectively use technology to improve preK-12 public school instruction. 2. Promote innovative models to strengthen preK-12 public school education. 3. Improve the skills and leadership of educators and parents. 4. Promote innovative early childhood education programs. There are no deadlines.  For more information see http://www.qwest.com/about/company/community/foundation/index.html

The Women's Educational Fund of the AAUW offers two-year Community Action grants ranging from $5,000-$10,000 to promote education and equity for women and girls.  One-year grants of $2,000 to $7,000 provide seed money for short-term projects.   Applications are due January 15.  For information see http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/community_action.cfm

The College Board Costas Grants award $3,000 to six exceptional teachers of any subject in grades 6-12 for innovative methods used to develop students' writing skills. Grants are awarded to teachers who do an inspiring job of teaching students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project.  Deadline is November 20. For more information see http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/costas

The NEH "We the People Bookshelf" awards a set of outstanding fiction books with the theme "A more Perfect Union" to K-12 schools that plan to organize programs to highlight the theme.  Titles vary according to student age.  The last date applications will be accepted is January 29. For a complete list of "Bookshelf" titles, more information and an on-line application, see http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/guidelines.php

The Alibris Collection Award is an annual grant of up to $3,000 worth of books to one academic, public, special, or K-12 library supporting specific collection development projects that advance the mission, priority areas, and goals of the selected library.  This once-a-year award goes to one library that is most "deserving."  Applications must be received by December 1.   For more information see http://library.alibris.com/collection-award

Teacher Opportunities

The Horace Mann Companies offer $30,000 in scholarships for educators to take college courses. One recipient will receive $5,000 in scholarship funds payable over four years, and 15 other recipients will receive $1,000 each in scholarship funds payable over two years. Twenty additional recipients will each receive one-time $500 awards. Deadline is March 1.  For more information see https://www.horacemann.com/resources/scholarships/default.aspx

The Packing with PEAK Fund will provide free teaching materials that teach minimum impact outdoor skills and ethics to children ages 6 to 12.  Schools that offer outdoor programs or camping experiences might find these useful. More information is at

http://www.lnt.org/programs/peak/PackingwithPEAKFund.html

Earthwatch Institution Awards enable teachers, librarians, counselors, principals, and high school students to join scientists in research expeditions around the world. Competitive awards range from partial to full grants. (The recipient might be responsible for significant travel costs.)  Most expeditions take place between April and September. Applications for next summer received by February have a higher chance of acceptance. For more information see http://www.earthwatch.org/aboutus/education/edopp/edfelfund/

The MEAF Inclusion Champion Award honors individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the full inclusion of youth with disabilities in society.  Nominations must be submitted via email or mail by May 1, 2010. For more information, go to

http://www.meaf.org/grants-inclusion.php#incchamp

Student Opportunities

The 2009 LEGACY ESSAY CONTEST will award cash awards and computer laptops, at a VIP Capitol Hill Awards Ceremony, to junior or senior high students who write the best essay on the legacy and the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement.  Deadline is December 15. For more information, go to http://www.legacyandlessons.com/

The Lexus Air/Climate Eco Challenge awards $10,000 in scholarships and project support to middle and high school teams that focus on Global Warming and Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, or Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy.  Winning project teams can compete for a $50,000 prize. Teams can register on-line after November 16, and the final action plan must be submitted on-line by January 19.  For more information, see http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3749922

Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment (HIKE) Program each year provides assistive listening devices to 100 children whose parents cannot afford them.  The application must be submitted by a parent or guardian and include evidence of low-income status. Deadlines are rolling.  For more information see http://www.thehikefund.org/

The Young JAZZ Composer Awards provide a prize and monetary award for an original jazz composition by a young person. All materials must be postmarked no later than December 1. For more information see http://www.ascapfoundation.org/awards.html#youngjazz

Earthwatch Institute's Student Challenge Awards give 75 teens fellowships for expeditions in which they will be a member of a research team. High school teachers and counselors  nominate 1-2 students (who will be at least age 16 by June) with limited opportunities for enrichment and resources, and no prior experience helping a scientist conduct research.  Nominations and applications are due by December 1.  For more information see

http://www.earthwatch.org/aboutus/education/studentopp/scap/

The Cray-Pas Wonderful Colorful World of Art Contest  provides art supplies, savings bonds, and other prizes to students who submit outstanding works of art created with pastels. Teachers may also receive art supplies.  Deadline is December 11.  For more information see http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/?q=Craypas-contest-prizes