I’m frequently asked about classroom grants. Here are a few grants I’m aware of as well some lists for further exploration.  Good luck!

Grants I’ve Won

Donors Choose
easiest grants you’ll ever write…use for requests of less than $400
you can ask for whatever you want…I received books as well as iPods

Best Buy Teach Awards
rewards existing technology programs to further your tech efforts

Other Grants I’m Familiar With

ING Unsung Heroes Awards
not entirely familiar with this one but it was won by Jeff Felix in LAUSD

British Petroleum A+ Education Award
the requirements for applying for this grant are scary looking; that’s the good news…the scarier looking the greater your chance of receiving the grant because fewer people apply

Adopt-A-Classroom
attempts to hook up classrooms with corporate donors to receive used computer equipment…I did try this but was never adopted

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education

More Lists of Funding Opportunities

TechLearning List of Grants

Internet4Classrooms List

Department of Education Grants

California Community Foundation

Computer Technology Grants

Lego Education List of Grants

Teachers Network Grants

Teachers Count

Grant Writing Tips

Apply. You can’t win if you don’t apply.  You always have an advantage over people who don’t show up to the party.

Recycle. Keep copies of grants you’ve written.  You don’t have to redo a budget for every single grant.  Once you’ve completed a budget you can just tweak it and use it to apply for multiple grants.

Don’t Sweat It. You never know what a particular donor is looking for.  Don’t pull your hair out applying and do expect rejection.  Put your best foot forward, mail it in, and then mentally move on  You can’t base your whole teaching program on getting a grant.  If you get a grant, consider it a bonus.

Let me know how it turns out!