September 2011

Grants

Eugene Education Fund Grants have been announced for the fall.  What's new: the option of a school's sending one big proposal requesting as much as $5,000 (though applicants must explain if and how partial funding might be sufficient).  EEF reviewers favor projects that serve the greatest number of students.   Applicants must first receive approval from their site council before submittal to EEF.  Deadline is October 9, and awards will be made sometime in November.  Of the four ranked proposals at each school, two may reach $500 and two more may reach $2,000 (or one single grant for the school of $5,000).  District-level grants are also welcomed.    The application form is attached to this e-mail or available by contacting 541-343-6877 or eef@4j.lane.edu.

Target Field Trip Grants will provide up to $700 for field trips for students that provide a demonstrable learning experience for students. This year up to 5,000 awards will be made.  Applications must be submitted electronically between now and October 3. Both Howard Elementary and Opportunity Center received these grants in the past.  For more information see http://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-002537

Subaru Healthy Sprouts Grants  will  award  a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids catalog and online store for gardening supplies and supporting educational materials; National Gardening Association's Eat a Rainbow Kit, chock full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons; and a literature package from NGA to schools planning to garden in 2012 with at least 15 students. Deadline is October 1.  More information is at http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/2011-subaru-healthy-sprouts-award

Fruit Tree Orchard Grants provide fruit trees, fertilizers, equipment, and other supports for creating orchards.  There is no deadline.  For more information, see http://www.ftpf.org/fruittree101.htm

SELCO Mini-Grants of $250 support creative and innovative school projects. Field trips and equipment are not funded.  The deadline is October 7. For more information, go to http://www.selco.org/minigrants

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grants provide $100-$500 for establishing outdoor learning centers that educate about the benefits of using native plants in our landscape and to promote biodiversity and environmentally sound practices. Grants are due October 15.  For more information and to download the application see http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.html

The Fender Music Foundation awards grants of musical instruments to music classes or after school programs which provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. Almost all grants are in the form of traditional musical instruments. Applications close when 50 grant applications have been received.  The application is on-line at http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/grants/index.cfm?sec=info

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. Oregon requests must be mailed to 495 E. Rincon Suite #150, Corona, CA 91709.  Grants are reviewed in January.  For more information see  http://www.circlek.com/circleK/AboutUs/CommunityService/guidelinesForGiving.htm

The Red Robin "U-ACT" Program will award grants from $1,200-$15,000, to K-8 schools with outstanding programs that inspire and energize students about the value of being kind to others. Schools must submit a proposal for a project, and if awarded a grant, must complete the project and document it to receive reimbursement. Grants will be awarded monthly until May 2012.  For more information and detailed instructions and assistance see http://www.redrobin.com/rrfoundation/uactprogram.aspx

Teach@15 Awards of $500-$1,500 in Best Buy Gift Cards will be granted to grade 7-12 schools with the most student votes. Awards are to help schools meet their technology needs. Teens (age 13-18) who are registered members on www.at15.com can nominate their schools beginning Fall 2011, and then can vote once a day for 15 days for one nomination.  Every 15 days, Best Buy will award 3 schools with Best Buy Gift Cards based on member votes. Near the end of each month. a new registration and voting period will start. For more information see http://at15.com/contests_scholarships/teach_rules

The Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants give $5,000 to 1,000 schools or parent groups for projects that encourage parent involvement in schools and build stronger community spirit. There is a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancements, as well as landscaping/clean up type projects. (A list of 12 model projects is at http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/sample.html#11 ) The application must be submitted on-line but created beforehand off-line because it is not possible to save and go-back to an incomplete application. The final deadline is October 14, for round one, but that may be too late, because applications will be reviewed first-come, first-served, and the site will shut down if 1,500 applications have been received.  For guidelines and details see http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/hta.html

Nike  Inc. gives product donations to schools (not cash grants).  For more information see http://www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/nike_giving_guidelines.html

Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics Grants provide up to $3,000 for  middle school projects that incorporate materials or lessons to actively engage students in tasks and experiences to deepen and connect their content knowledge.The projects should show the connectivity of mathematics to other fields or to the world around us. The applicant must be an NCTM member. The deadline is November 11, 2011.  For more information, see http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1320

The Volvo Adventure, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is designed to encourage environmental awareness and activity for young people between the ages of 10 and 16, with a teacher or adult supervisor. Grants of $10,000 (first place), $6,000 (second place), and $4,000 (third place) will be awarded to help with the continuation of successful projects. Past winners have also received an all-expense paid trip to Sweden. Schools register to begin the program and participate in it over one year or more. Final project descriptions must be submitted by January 2012. For more information, see http://www.volvoadventure.org

Elva Knight Research Grants provide up to $8,000 for research in reading and literacy.  Applicants must be International Reading Association members.  Deadline is November 1, 2011. For more information see http://www.reading.org/Resources/AwardsandGrants/research_knight.aspx

State Farm Youth Financial Education Grants provide up to $1,500 to train youth to educate their community about financial issues. Deadline is October 1. For more information see http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/ptl_suppdocs/Financial_Education_Grant.pdf

SHOPA Kids In Need Grants provide $100 to $500 grants for up to 300 original projects that enhance the educational experiences of K-12 students.  Deadline is September 30.   Applications and more information are at http://www.kidsinneed.net/grants/

Toshiba America Foundation Grant Program for K-5 Science & Math Education provides up to $1,000 to fund projects designed by classroom teachers to improve science and mathematics education. Applications must be received by October 1.  Projects must advance the teacher's science and math teaching units, take place during the school day, and be completed by May 1.   Projects should not be based solely on the purchase of a prepackaged kit.  For more information and an on-line application, go to http://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/about/HowApply.jsp

The US Institute of Peace awards 20-30 grants of $50,000 to $120,000 for development of curricula, teacher training, or educational programs on the causes of war, peacemaking and the conditions of peace. Applications must be received by October 3.  For more information see http://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/annual-grant-competition

Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Grants of up to $1,500 facilitate the development and implementation of environmental curricula that incorporate basic ecological principles and field activities.  Some larger grants are given. Applicants must submit a pre-application to determine interest in their project.  Pre-applications cannot be submitted after September 20, and those requested to submit final applications must do so by September 25. For more information see http://www.mgaef.org/grants.html

The Ultimate Players Association gives grants up to $1,500 to develop new ultimate flying disc programs.  Applications are accepted between August 1 and September 16. For more information see http://www.upa.org/grants/index.shtml

The "Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms" Contest awards $750 to teachers to incorporte healthy eating messages into classroom activities.  Ten winners will be selected each Monday in October and November.  Winners are selected based on the number of votes they receive. For more information, see http://www.fruits.com/home.aspx

The Avery Give Back to Schools Contest provides 30 schools up to $10,000 worth of new Avery school supplies. Winners are the schools that receive the most online votes. The contest ends September 16. To register your school or vote for a local K-8 school, visit: http://givebacktoschools.avery.com/schools/index.

Teacher Opportunities
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is a one-week all-expense-paid intensive science and math professional development program held in July for third- through fifth-grade teachers. The Academy provides teachers with the knowledge and skills to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math.  Math Solutions Professional Development, founded by Marilyn Burns, and the National Science Teachers Association design the curriculum and provide instructors. Applications are due by October 31.  For more information see http://www.sendmyteacher.com/teachers_and_grown_ups.htm

Shell Science Teaching Awards recognize one outstanding K-12 classroom science teacher who has had a positive impact on students, school, and community through exemplary science teaching.  The winning teacher will receive $10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to NSTA's National Convention.   The deadline for receipt of applications is October 17.  For more information see http://www.nsta.org/shell

Edwyna Wheadon Postgraduate Training Scholarships will provide $500 (or more) for professional development for English/Language Arts teachers.   The purpose of the scholarship is to support postgraduate training to enhance teaching skills and/or career development in teaching. Applications should be submitted no later than January 31.  Awardees will be informed by March 1 so they can participate in activities during the following semesters. For more information see http://www.ncte.org/second/awards/wheadon

Surdna Foundation Arts Teachers Fellows Program provides teachers in public arts high schools with up to $5,500 for fellowships for programs that provide both immersion in their own creative work and the opportunity to interact with other professional artists in their fields. Required letters of intent must be submitted by November 14.  Finalists will be invited to submit applications by February 10.  For more information see http://www.surdna.org/grants/how-to-apply/109.html

Student Opportunities
The United States Senate Youth Program will be held in Washington, D.C., in March 2012. Two student leaders from each state will spend an all expense-paid week in Washington experiencing their national government in action and will each be awarded a $5,000 College scholarship. Oregon applications are due in October,to Ms. Mindy Addison, Office Specialist, Office of Student Learning and Partnerships, Oregon Department of Education, 255 Capitol Street, NE, Salem,, 97310, (503) 947-5731, Mindy.addison@state.or.us  For more information see http://hearstfdn.org/ussyp/about_overview.php

The Christopher Columbus Awards are designed to get middle school students excited about science. Teams of 3 or 4 students along with an adult coach work to solve a problem they identify in their community.   Deadline is February 6, and activities that must be completed before submitting take about 10-20 weeks.  Eight teams win a trip to Disney World to participate in the finalist activities.  Two teams win savings bonds and plaques. One team wins a grand prize of $25,000 to make their project a reality.  For more information see http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship provides scholarships of $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 to extraordinary young people under the age of 18 who have completed a significant piece of work in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Literature, Music, Technology, Philosophy and "Outside the Box."  Deadlines are in early February. For more information, see http://www.davidsongifted.org/Fellows/