Grant Alerts - September 24, 2018

Newly Board Approved Grant Opportunities

• Farmers Insurance Group's Thank a Million Teachers (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.program is underway, $2,500, deadline September 27.
• Science Festival's Duke Energy Science Night (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers STEM Science Kits for elementary schools, deadline September 30.
• Annie's Homegrown Grants for Gardens (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers $3,000 for new grantees and $5,000 for returning grantees, deadline is November 1.
• Saucony's Run for Good Foundation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers grants of up to $10,000 to increase physical activity and running. Deadlines are December 15 and June 15. 
• NC Arts Council, Arts in Education (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.program offers grants of $5,000 - $15,000, check their website for the deadline (which was previously in March).

Other newly approved funders include:

• NC Arboretum
• Project Learning Tree
• NC School Library and Media Association
• Mr. Holland's Opus
• Office Depot
• NC Restaurant and Lodging Association
• Education Development Corporation
• Siemens Foundation
• REAL School Gardens
• Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

Upcoming Deadlines

• Lowe's Toolbox for Education (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.grant provides $2,000-$5,000 for tools for STEM education, facility and safety improvements, deadline September 28 or whenever they receive 1,500 applications.
• Target's Field Trip grant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.provides $700 for learning outside the classroom, deadline October 1.
• Toshiba American Foundation's K-5 Science Education grant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers $1,000, deadline October 1.

Details about these and other opportunities can be found in our listing of Board Approved grants, found in  three places: Learning Central, Office of Grants course (see Grant Alerts in the lefthand navigation bar), on WakeConnect, or in our Office of Grants Google site. As always, please work with your principal or school grant contact to complete an Intent to Apply form prior to submitting any grants.

Happy grantwriting!

Grants Alerts - August 22, 2018

A number of grant opportunities were approved by the Board of Education at their meeting yesterday. Here's a summary:

Publix Super Market Charities (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers grants that support youth, education, reducing hunger (May 1 - June 30), and alleviating homelessness (July 1 - August 31).  Their funding level varies, please check their website for more details.

North Carolina Aquariums (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers up to $1,000 for Title 1 schools to visit aquariums, or engage in their outreach and/or distance learning activities, deadline September 15. 

National Art Education Association (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.provides grants that support professional development for arts educators, classroom supplies, and curriculum development, deadline October 1.

Herb Society of America (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.supports indoor or outdoor herb gardens for grades 3 through 6 with grants of $200, deadline October 1.

Whole Kids Foundation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers grants of up to $2,000 for edible school gardens, deadline October 15.

AgCarolina Farm Credit (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.supports agriculture education with grants of up to $5,000, deadline October 15.

The National Dairy Council, Fuel Up to Play 60 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., which supports healthy eating and physical activity with grants of up to $4,000, deadline November 7

Vernier Software and Technology (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers support for science classrooms, deadline December 17.

NC Foundation for Public School Children (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers grants of up to $1,000 for literacy, PD, or parental involvement at economically disadvantaged schools, deadline October 31.

American Association of School Librarians (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers a variety of awards and grants to increase access to books and infuse innovative technologies into library settings. Funding levels and deadlines varies by program, but several are due February 1

National Science Teachers Association (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.offers a variety of grants and awards.

US Lacrosse Foundation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.supports Lacrosse programs with grants of equipment, requests are due the 1st of each month.

In addition to these newly approved opportunities, there are several other grant opportunities with upcoming deadlines.  These include the Target Field Trip grant Links to an external site.($700), Bright Ideas Links to an external site.(up to $3,000), Wake Electric's Classroom Technology grant Links to an external site.(up to $3,000), and the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant Links to an external site.(up to $5,000).  

Details about these and other opportunities can be found in our listing of Board Approved grants, found in  three places: Learning Central Office of Grants Resource (see Grant Alerts in the lefthand navigation bar), on Wake Connect Links to an external site., or in our Office of Grants Google siteLinks to an external site..  As always, please work with your principal or school grant contact to complete an Intent to Apply form prior to submitting any grants.

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DONORSCHOOSE AND TECHNOLOGY: Over the past few months, Technology Services and the Office of Grants have been working closely with DonorsChoose to establish a process whereby teachers can request technology, including Chromebooks, ipads, laptops, printers, and more, using WCPSS purchase orders. This means that technology received through DonorsChoose will be fully supported, with extended warranties, upgraded specifications, and configuration/setup services completed. While these services may add to the cost of a base model, it results in added longevity and support of the device while ensuring compatibility with WCPSS infrastructure and core application requirements.

Teachers who want to include technology items in a DonorsChoose proposal will be prompted to submit a Special Request Project to DonorsChoose, which will allow them to select WCPSS approved technology offerings. Please note that teachers who are new to DonorsChoose will not be able to include technology in their first project, as they will first need to earn 6 points to create a Special Request Project. Learn more about the DonorsChoose Point System hereLinks to an external site..

Technology Services has posted information about how to request technology through DonorsChooseLinks to an external site., and we encourage you to visit their site to learn more about how this process will work. In addition to providing step-by-step directions, the Technology Services page also has information about the technology items included, links to WCPSS Purchase Orders, more detail about WCPSS technology guidelines, and responses to frequently asked questions. 

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or suggestions.

Best wishes as you begin the new school year!

Grant Alerts - August 8, 2018

Several new grant opportunities were approved by the Board of Education when they met on August 7.  Here are some highlights:

NC Museum of History   (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.provides for travel expenses for field trips to the museum, deadline September 14.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Society (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. offers $250 - $1,000 for travel and project grants related to NC Lighthouses, due January 31, 2019.

Kids Gardening (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. has a variety of grants, ranging from $250 - $1,000, that support school gardens, deadlines vary according to the grant program.

National Education Association (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. offers Student Achievement and Learning and Leadership grants to members, up to $5,000, next deadline is October 15.

Charlie Lovett Foundation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. supports elementary level drama programs, opens in August and provides up to $300 per grant until their funds are depleted for the year.

Toshiba American Foundation supports science education. K-5 grants (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. offer up to $1,000, with an October 1st deadline. Grants for grades 6-12 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that are less than $5,000 have a September 1st deadline, and grants that are more than $5,000 have a November 1st deadline.

Harbor Freight (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. supports skilled trades education and their grants provide tools. They have a rolling deadline. 

In addition to these newly approved opportunities, there are several other grant opportunities with upcoming deadlines.  These include the Target Field Trip grant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.($700), Bright Ideas (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (up to $3,000), Wake Electric's Classroom Technology grant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (up to $3,000), and the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (up to $5,000).  

Details about these and other opportunities can be found in our listing of Board Approved grants, found in  three places: this Learning Central Resource (see Grant Alerts in the lefthand navigation bar), on Wake Connect (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., or in our Office of Grants Google site (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  As always, please work with your principal or school grant contact to complete an Intent to Apply form prior to submitting any grants.

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DONORSCHOOSE AND TECHNOLOGY: Over the past few months, Technology Services and the Office of Grants have been working closely with DonorsChoose to establish a process whereby teachers can request technology, including Chromebooks, ipads, laptops, printers, and more, using WCPSS purchase orders. This means that technology received through DonorsChoose will be fully supported, with extended warranties, upgraded specifications, and configuration/setup services completed. While these services may add to the cost of a base model, it results in added longevity and support of the device while ensuring compatibility with WCPSS infrastructure and core application requirements.

Teachers who want to include technology items in a DonorsChoose proposal will be prompted to submit a Special Request Project to DonorsChoose, which will allow them to select WCPSS approved technology offerings. Please note that teachers who are new to DonorsChoose will not be able to include technology in their first project, as they will first need to earn 6 points to create a Special Request Project. Learn more about the DonorsChoose Point System hereLinks to an external site..

Technology Services has posted information about how to request technology through DonorsChooseLinks to an external site., and we encourage you to visit their site to learn more about how this process will work. In addition to providing step-by-step directions, the Technology Services page also has information about the technology items included, links to WCPSS Purchase Orders, more detail about WCPSS technology guidelines, and responses to frequently asked questions. 

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FOR SCHOOL GRANT CONTACTS:  With the beginning of the school year, we've had some calls regarding difficulties accessing the Intent to Apply form. The form is only available within the WCPSS domain, so you need to be logged into Chrome using your @wcpss account in order to access it. If you encounter any trouble accessing the form, please contact us and we will be happy to help you troubleshoot.  

Best wishes as you begin a new school year!

Grant Alerts - March 9, 2018

New Grant Opportunities

The Board of Education approved a couple of new grant opportunities for schools at their meeting on March 6. 

• The National Weather Association Foundation Sol Hirsch Grant provides up to $750 for projects related to the science of meteorology, the deadline is May 3rd.
• The NC School Counselor Association provides mini-grants of $375 for school counseling programs.

 Upcoming Deadlines

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation provides mini-grants of $500 to design and implement a creative program for schools or school libraries.  The deadline is March 31.

The NC Music Educators Association offers grants of up to $1,000 for music teachers (who are members) for special projects aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study that support quality music education. The deadline is March 31.

The American Chemical Society offers grants up to $1,500 for high school chemistry classrooms. Grants support ideas that enhance classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry. The deadline is April 16.

Office of Grants Canvas Course migrates to Learning Central

This Office of Grants Canvas Course migrated to Learning Central recently. For those who use a bookmark to access the course, please be sure to update the link to  https://wcpss-staff.instructure.com/courses/359 so that you reach the new course and the most up-to-date information about grants.  

WakeConnect

The new district intranet site, WakeConnect, is now live!  Most all of the information about grants that was previously available on the intranet is now available on WakeConnect. Happily, this is available to you whether or not you are connected to a WCPSS network, so you can now reach the intranet from home if needed. To find information about the Grants Office, click on Workspaces (top center, by the district logo), and then scroll down to 'Grants' in the dropdown box.

On the Grants home page, we have placed frequently used items, such as the Board Approved Grant Opportunities and the Intent to Apply form, under 'Resources' on the right side of the page. Other information can be found in the blue 'buckets' at the bottom of the page. If you have trouble finding something you need, or if you have suggestions on how to make our intranet presence more friendly and accessible, please email or call and let us know.  

Details about grants listed in this announcement, along with other grant opportunities, can be found in our current Grant Alerts, located in three places: 

• On the Office of Grants Intranet site

• In the Office of Grants Canvas course, click on “Grant Alerts" in the left hand navigation bar

• At the Office of Grants Google site which can be accessed from anywhere with no sign in required. 

Should you decide to apply for a grant, please work with your Principal or School Grants Contact to complete the Intent to Apply form. A preview of the information needed can be found here. 

Don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.  Happy grant writing!

Grant Alerts - February 8, 2018

Greetings from the Office of Grants!

With the meeting of the Board of Education this week, we have several newly approved grant opportunities that you might consider:  

NC Music Educators Association (NCMEA)
Subject: Music education
Funding Level: Up to $1,000
Deadline: March 31, 2018
Website: https://www.ncmea.net/programs/grants/mini-grant/

Youth Service America (YSA)
Subject: Youth leadership
Funding Level: Varies by program
Deadline: Varies by program
Website: https://ysa.org/grants/

Snapdragon Book Foundation
Subject: Books for school libraries
Funding Level: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 20, 2018
Website: http://snapdragonbookfoundation.org/

Good Sports
Subject: Sports equipment, footwear, and apparel
Funding Level: Varies according to need
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.goodsports.org/

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
Subject: Academic enrichment and teacher development
Funding Level: Up to $10,000/year for 3 years
Deadline: April 15, 2018
Website: https://mccartheydressman.org/

Lemuelson-MIT InvenTeam Initiative
Subject: STEM for high school students
Funding Level: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 9, 2018
Website: https://lemelson.mit.edu/inventeams

Presidential Awards of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
Subject: Honor teachers of science and math
Funding Level: $10,000
Deadline: May 1, 2018
Website: https://www.paemst.org/about/view

Together Counts
Subject: Healthy diet and fitness
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://togethercounts.com/

Some upcoming deadlines include: 

• The Toshiba America Foundation offers grants to support teachers who are passionate about making science and math more engaging for their students through project based learning.  Requests for $5,000 or less are considered year round. The deadline for requests above $5,000 is coming up on March 1. 
• The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation provides mini-grants of $500 to design and implement a creative program for schools or school libraries.  The deadline is March 31.

Details about these and more grant opportunities can be found in our current Grant Alerts, located in three places: 

• On the Intranet at http://www2.wcpss.net/departments/grants/alerts.htm  

• In the Office of Grants Canvas course, click on “Grant Alerts" in the left hand navigation bar

• At the Office of Grants Google site which can be accessed from anywhere with no sign in required. 

Should you decide to apply for a grant, please work with your Principal or School Grants Contact to complete the Intent to Apply form (click here to view the information needed). Don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.

Happy grant writing!

Grant Alerts - January 24, 2018

Here are a couple of grants with deadlines coming up soon:

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society Foundation is offering grants to help school children visit lighthouses, up to $1000, and the deadline is coming up on January 31.

The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education spring grant cycle is underway. This grant offers up to $5,000 for school projects. The deadline is February 9 or whenever they receive 1,500 applications, so apply early! 

Information about these and other grant opportunities can be found in three places: 

• On the intranet at http://www2.wcpss.net/departments/grants/alerts.htm 

• In the Office of Grants Canvas course, click on “Grant Alerts" in the left hand navigation bar

• At the Office of Grants Google site which can be accessed from anywhere with no sign in required.

Should you decide to apply for a grant, please work with your Principal or School Grants Contact to complete the Intent to Apply form (click here to access the form, (please note that only Principals or School Grant Contacts may submit the form). Don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.

Happy grant writing!



PS. If you are not already receiving Grant Alerts directly into your email box, and would like to do so, then self-enroll in the Office of Grants Canvas Course and set your notifications to send you an email when announcements are posted (Account  > Notifications > Course Activities, Announcements).

Grant Alerts - December 7, 2017

Some great grant opportunities are open right now! 

• The 4C Fund Grant is now open and offering up to $10,000 for innovative projects that incorporate the 4Cs. More information can be found here: https://goo.gl/mbCxYE (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  The final information session will be held on Thursday, December 15, from 4:00 - 5:00 PM at Crossroads I, Room 2003.  If you would like to attend via Google Hangout, please contact Cindy DeFoor (cdefoor@wcpss.net or 919-533-7720).
• CenturyLink's Teachers and Technology grant offers up to $5,000 for advancing student success through the use of technology.  Schools that apply should be located in the CenturyLink service area. More information is available at https://online.foundationsource.com/public/home/CenturyLinkGrant (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  The deadline is January 12, 2017.

At the Board of Education meeting on December 5, the following grant opportunities were approved:

NC Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center Grants
Subject: STEM
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.ncsmt.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Follett Learning Challenge
Subject: Engaging Students
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: December 15, 2017
Website: https://follettchallenge.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

US Lacrosse Foundation
Subject: Lacrosse programs
Funding Level: Lacrosse equipment
Deadline: 1st of each month
Website: https://www.uslacrosse.org/programs-grants/soft-stick-program (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

No Kid Hungry Share our Strength
Subject: Ending hunger
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.nokidhungry.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Batters Up USA
Subject: Baseball equipment
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: http://www.battersupusa.org/Equipment.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Opal Apple
Subject: Youth leadership in addressing food security and nutrition
Funding Level: $5,000 - $10,000
Deadline: Check website
Website: http://www.opalapples.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Subject: Optics and photonics
Funding Level: Up to $2,000
Deadline: January 31, 2018
Website: http://spie.org/education/education-outreach-resources/education-outreach-grants?SSO=1 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The Actuarial Foundation
Subject: Math education and literacy
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.actuarialfoundation.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Freedoms Foundation
Subject: Teaching entrepreneurship
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: http://www.freedomsfoundation.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

South Arts
Subject: Performing and literary arts
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Varies, check website
Website: https://www.southarts.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Studentreasures Publishing
Subject: Self publishing
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://studentreasures.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

GENYOUth
Subject: Nurturing healthy, high-achieving school communities
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Website: https://www.genyouthnow.org/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Subject: Science
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Subject: Arts Education
Funding Level: Varies
Deadline: Check website
Website: https://www.ncdcr.gov/arts-education-grants (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.