Best Academic Success Enrichment Grants

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is launching its second cycle of collaborative grants aimed at eradicating poverty through community-driven initiatives. The grants focus on five priority areas aligned with their Blueprint for Prosperity, which addresses stability, prosperity, wellness, and vibrant communities. Eligible applicants must operate within specific parishes and demonstrate a commitment to systemic change and equity. Funding supports planning, implementation, and continuous improvement efforts to foster long-term community impact.

The Benwood Foundation Grants focus on fostering shared prosperity in Chattanooga by partnering with diverse stakeholders. They prioritize inclusive growth, particularly for Black and Latinx communities, and support initiatives in urban vitality, talent, economic opportunity, leadership engagement, and cultural belonging. The foundation is committed to creating equitable pathways to success and addressing systemic barriers. Proposals are invited from strategic partners aligned with these goals, emphasizing collaboration for greater community impact.

The Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education Fund, established in 2013 by Dr. Carl Jelley, supports educational initiatives for children in Eastern Jackson County, Missouri. With an average grant award of $5,000-$8,000, and a maximum of $10,000, the foundation encourages innovative proposals focusing on at-risk youth. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public education institutions, with a new 3-year funding rule starting in 2024 to enhance sustainability in educational projects.

The Tippecanoe Educational Endowment Fund Grant supports Tipp City Schools by providing funding for enrichment programs aimed at enhancing academic excellence, fine arts, and general activities. Established in 1999, this grant awards up to $2,500 annually to classroom teachers and employees to promote various educational endeavors, including scientific inquiry, literacy, and leadership. The goal is to foster a culture of kindness and conflict resolution within the school district.

The WACF Opportunity Gap Grant aims to address the disparities in opportunities for children and families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. By funding innovative projects focused on early childhood education, K-12 engagement, and support for stable families, this grant encourages the development of essential life skills. Organizations in Kandiyohi County, MN, are invited to apply for funding to create impactful programs that promote success and inclusion for underserved youth, with a maximum capital grant of $20,000.

The WACF Community Impact Grant aims to empower local organizations in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, by providing funding between $5,000 and $20,000 for initiatives that address community needs. This grant supports projects focusing on youth development, enhancing community connections, and promoting productive aging. Organizations that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, innovation, and sustainable community impact are encouraged to apply. The foundation prioritizes grants that foster collaboration and improve the quality of life for residents.

The Torch Helps Grant provides $10,000 to non-profit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This funding aims to support local charities that deliver essential health and human services to underserved populations. Eligible organizations must operate in the communities where Torch Technologies employees reside and must ensure services are accessible to all, regardless of background. Grants are awarded quarterly, and applications are accepted anytime but must meet specific deadlines.

The Delta Foundation, established by CFD Research Corporation in 2021, aims to enhance community well-being through collective employee-owner contributions. By funding local non-profit organizations, the Foundation supports vital initiatives in arts, mental health, and basic needs, ensuring that every dollar directly benefits the Huntsville area. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that align with its mission to improve quality of life, fostering impactful change through collaboration and community engagement.

The Social Justice and Resiliency Fund offers vital support to nonprofits addressing systemic inequities in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties. By providing flexible, unrestricted funding, the fund empowers organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to implement impactful changes. Grants focus on capacity building and systemic change, ensuring communities are equipped to respond to future crises. This initiative fosters equity and social justice, creating a more resilient and diverse nonprofit landscape.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is launching its Multi-Year Grants program, with applications opening in January 2026 for funding starting in July 2026. This initiative aims to support nonprofit organizations addressing critical community needs across five counties. Key investment priorities include meeting basic needs, promoting financial stability, and enhancing educational success for youth. Interested applicants can attend information sessions from October to November 2025 to learn more about the grant process.

The Kindergarten Transition Grant Program, managed by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, aims to ensure a smooth transition for children entering kindergarten. This initiative fosters collaboration among educators, parents, and community members to provide essential support and resources. Activities such as parent orientations, summer camps, and classroom visits help ease the transition, promoting early literacy and timely registration. The program underscores the importance of quality early childhood education, ensuring children start school with confidence and readiness.

Power:Ed offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for initiatives benefiting South Carolina residents and students. The program focuses on supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students, improving access to college, and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Applications are accepted year-round with quarterly reviews following set deadlines. Eligible organizations must be dedicated to enhancing education and career readiness for South Carolina's residents, while ineligible projects include Pre-K programs and routine operating expenses.

The Early College Planning Grant aims to provide essential planning resources for applicants seeking Massachusetts Early College Designation. This grant prioritizes underrepresented students and supports partnerships between K-12 schools and higher education institutions. Eligible programs can apply for funding to develop infrastructure that fosters college access and success, with funding totals reaching approximately $1,105,000 for the fiscal year. Key deadlines for submissions are set for October 2025 and November 2025.

Purpose

The purpose of this competitive grant program is to support teaching and learning related to the history of genocide. As stated in Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021 , "Every school district shall, for the purpose of educating middle and high school students, provide instruction on the history of genocide consistent with the content standards articulated in the history and social science curriculum framework."

This grant supports LEAs to develop and/or select curriculum materials, implement professional development, and design other enriching learning experiences intended to further secondary students' understanding of the history and patterns of genocide. LEAs may propose to collaborate with vendors to support this work.

This grant is structured as a two-year program. LEAs awarded funding in FY27 (Year 1) may apply only for continuation funding in FY28 (Year 2) to support the next phase of their projects, contingent upon available funds and satisfactory progress. Continuation funding is not guaranteed. FY27 awardees will not be eligible to apply under a new FY28 competitive RFP. However, contingent upon available funds, a new cohort of LEAs may be selected through the FY28 competitive RFP process.

For more details about the genocide education in Massachusetts, please visit Genocide Education Resources and Guidance.

Priorities

DESE seeks to fund genocide education initiatives that exemplify:

Grant-funded projects should increase all students' access to high-quality genocide education experiences and work to address historical inequities where they exist. In addition, projects should provide students with culturally and linguistically sustaining learning experiences that value and affirm their identities and linguistic resources, center student and community agency, and develop students' critical perspectives. Supports for multilingual learners should be developed in alignment with the 2020 WIDA English Language Development Framework.

Grant-funded projects should take steps toward long-term enhancements to genocide education, including, but not limited to, the development of supportive instructional leadership structures. Investments such as professional development for educators or acquisition of needed instructional materials can provide benefits long past the period of this grant, as opposed to "one-off" activities.Grant-funded projects should include opportunities to work in partnership with relevant organizations and/or engage local community members. Examples include (but are not limited to): partnering with organizations with expertise in genocide education, partnering with local community-based organizations, soliciting input from relevant community stakeholders, and designing learning opportunities at local sites.Competitive priority in the scoring process will also be given to:

• Districts and schools in the strategic transformation region.
• LEAs that have not previously been awarded a Genocide Education Grant
• LEAs with a student population in which greater than 40% are designated as low-income.
• Grant-funded projects that enhance the antibias impact of their work by strengthening students' sense of safety and belonging in school. This may include learning about the relationship and differences between bullying, hate, prejudice, bias, and factors that can potentially lead to or disrupt violence and genocide, and/or applying these concepts to modern-day contexts and examples relevant to the school community. These efforts may also include work grounded in an analysis of available data [such as from the Views of Climate and Learning (VOCAL) and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)].

Funding

Approximately $1,200,000 is available through this grant. Total amount of awards will be determined based on quality of proposals received.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Maximum award is determined by the total student enrollment of the applying LEA or group of LEAs if applying as a partnership. The maximum award represents what an LEA may receive over a two-year period.

• Size Tier 1: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling up to 1,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $40,000
• Size Tier 2: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 1,001 – 6,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $80,000
• Size Tier 3: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 6,001 – 10,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $120,000
• Size Tier 4: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 10,001 or more students (total)
  • May apply for up to $160,000

Fund Use

The total funding amount listed in this RFP represents the maximum cumulative award an LEA may receive across both FY27 and FY28. This means the amount is not per year, but rather the combined ceiling for the entire two-year period. Year 2 funding is not guaranteed and is dependent on annual funding appropriation and continuation grant application approval. Applicants may request any portion of the maximum funding amount for Year 1. While applicants are encouraged to plan a two-year project, LEAs may propose a one-year project if it better aligns with their needs and capacity. Please see the Fund Use Details attachment for additional information including allowable fund use.

The McKinney-Vento Competitive Grant Program in New York supports educational initiatives for homeless children and youth, ensuring they have equal access to quality education. Funded by the New York State Education Department, the program allocates substantial financial resources to local educational agencies based on the number of identified homeless students. This grant is pivotal in providing essential services like tutoring, health care, and transportation, ultimately promoting academic success and stability for vulnerable populations.

The NY Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for students in underserved communities. It focuses on academic enrichment, offering a variety of services including tutoring, youth development, and health education. The program also encourages family engagement in education, promoting literacy and overall development. This initiative is supported by the New York State Education Department to foster a well-rounded educational experience for children.

The High Ability Program Grant, provided by the Indiana Department of Education, aims to enhance inclusive access to high ability services for Indiana students. This grant focuses on specific expenses that extend beyond general education, ensuring increased access to vital services. It promotes the retention of qualified educators, raises community awareness, and significantly impacts program success, thereby fostering an environment that nurtures high ability learners.

The Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant by the Indiana Department of Education supports schools in utilizing formative assessments to enhance curriculum and instruction. This funding is aimed at public school corporations, charter schools, and accredited non-public schools serving students from kindergarten to grade 10. By focusing on data-driven practices, this grant aims to improve educational outcomes and ensure targeted support for individual student needs.

The Quality Schools Grant Program, funded by the Alaska Department of Education, aims to enhance student achievement by aligning educational practices with Alaska Standards. Schools may apply for $16 per adjusted Average Daily Membership to support various educational activities, including curriculum development and tutoring. The program prioritizes interventions that positively impact students struggling with core subjects like reading, writing, and mathematics, ensuring that all funded efforts contribute to measurable academic improvements.

The Balanced Calendar Grant, funded by OSPI's federal ESSER funds, supports public school districts, educational service districts, state-tribal education compact schools, and charter schools. It aims to enhance academic achievement by reducing summer learning loss through modified school calendars. Three grant opportunities are available: New Grant for first-time applicants up to $20,000, Continuation Grant for past recipients up to $75,000, and Implementation Grant for the 2023-24 school year up to $100,000.

The Arizona - Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program aims to provide safe and enriching environments for students during non-school hours, particularly targeting economically disadvantaged students. Funded for five years, the program promotes academic enrichment and offers various supportive services, including tutorial assistance and family engagement opportunities. Applicants may request between $50,000 and $120,000 in funding, with the first three years fully funded and continuation years at 75% funding, contingent on compliance.

About the Arizona Department of Education

Equity for all students to achieve their full potential

This is the guiding vision of the Arizona Department of Education — the state agency tasked with overseeing Arizona's K-12 public education system. Our department, led by a publicly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, comprises more than 600 staff across four state offices working to serve Arizona's students, families, educators, and school communities.

Mission Statement

The Arizona Department of Education advances equity and excellence for all students by serving school leaders, educators and staff, collaborating with communities, and leading with data-driven best practices. 

Arizona Charter Schools Program (AZCSP)

The Arizona Charter Schools Program (AZCSP) has received a $55 M grant from the US Department of Education, Title IV, Part C, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS. The purpose of the grant is to hold competitive applications for school leaders who will open schools serving disadvantaged Arizona students.

Project’s Objectives:

• Objective 1 - Increase the number of high quality charter schools in Arizona focusing on supporting and improving the academic outcomes for educationally disadvantaged students.
• Objective 2 - Close the achievement gaps for all educationally disadvantaged students in AZ CSP schools.
• Objective 3 - Increase high school student academic achievement and graduation by encouraging participation in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high schools (Preference points will be allocated in the application).

Funding

Subrecipients will be supported by $250,000 annual award over a period of five years for a total of $1.25 million.

The FY 2025 After School Programs grant from the Illinois State Board of Education aims to support non-school districts in establishing after-school programs. These programs are designed to enhance academic achievement, promote positive behaviors, and provide safe environments for enrichment activities. By fostering partnerships among public, private, and philanthropic entities, the grant seeks to deliver durable support services to students facing challenges, ultimately benefiting working families and communities.

The Routt County United Way Grant Cycle supports programs that enhance education, financial stability, and health for lower-income residents. With a vision for community growth, grants prioritize developmental support for children, safe environments for youth, and financial stability for families. Nonprofits can apply without funding limits, while community programs are capped at $5,000. This initiative aims to address pressing social issues through targeted funding and community engagement.

The Longleaf Fund Grant supports capital projects aimed at enhancing the lives of at-risk children and youth across the Carolinas. Focusing on building accessible play spaces, promoting educational technology, and improving environments for children with disabilities, this grant encourages community engagement and collaboration. Eligible projects must be completed within 12-18 months and demonstrate significant community support. The fund prioritizes initiatives that address the needs of vulnerable populations and can secure additional funding.

The Youth Support Services Competitive Grant Program, funded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, aims to empower low-income communities by providing essential support services. This includes job training, internships, financial literacy, and academic interventions for low-performing students. The program specifically targets young adults from families with a history of poverty, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to thrive and succeed in their professional and personal lives.

The Kids in Motion Grant Program by The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation aims to empower underserved children in Indian River County, Florida, through health, fitness, nutrition, and enrichment initiatives. This initiative encourages schools and community organizations to enhance their programs by promoting lifelong healthy habits and offering safe environments for children to thrive. The Foundation supports over 2,400 children, fostering positive youth development through active participation in various activities including tennis, dance, and sports.