Best Elementary Education Grants

Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students. Under the leadership of the Iowa Department of Education Director and in partnership with the State Board of Education, Department team members, in collaboration with a wide range of community partners, support schools and districts as they prepare students for college and career training and ensure they receive the support needed to succeed.

Programs for At-Risk Early Elementary Students Grant

The Programs for At-Risk Early Elementary Students is a grant made available to eligible Iowa public elementary schools in a year in which funds are made available by the Iowa legislature. The grant provides funds to assist schools in addressing the needs of kindergarten through third-grade students who are at-risk of educational failure.

Funds are awarded to elementary schools with a high percentage of low-income families in grades K-3 as reported on the previous year’s fall certified enrollment report (SRI). Elementary schools notified by the Iowa Department of Education are eligible to participate. Funds can be used to pay for expenditures designed to improve academic achievement and to “provide activities and materials designed to encourage children’s self-esteem, provide role modeling and mentoring techniques in social competence and social skills, and discourage inappropriate drug use” (Iowa Code § 279.51).

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Vera DoLean Ginn Kiwanis Scholarship

Shelby County resident pursuing a career in elementary education. 

Selection based upon:

• Intent to pursue the field of elementary education, financial need, academic ability, community and school service, recommendations.

Awards

• Two $1,000 scholarships

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees the Texas Mathematics Academies, which provide evidence-based mathematics instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 3. TEA allocates grant funding to Region 11 and Region 13 Education Service Centers to coordinate statewide program operations, content development, and professional learning. This initiative ensures high-quality implementation aligned with TEA’s instructional vision, ultimately aiming to enhance educational outcomes across Texas.

Read Conmigo Grant Program

Advancing Dual-Language  Education for Bilingual Students

The Read Conmigo Educator Grants support educators in dual-language (Spanish-English) programs at public and charter elementary schools. Grant applications are accepted twice annually in the spring and the fall.

Each year, The Kemper Foundation awards up to 100 Read Conmigo Educator Grants of $3,000 each. Grant funds must be used towards classroom resources and/or professional development that advance dual-language (Spanish-English) education for bilingual students.

Classroom Resources Examples of eligible uses:

• Audiovisual equipment
• Books
• Computers
• Field Trip(s)
• Furniture
• Games
• Lesson plans
• Manipulatives
• Technology

Students pursuing elementary education careers in the Fox River Valley region can receive scholarships for college from the Eleanor C. Hungar Scholarship Endowment Fund, typically around US $1,000. Administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, this funding supports graduating high school seniors with permanent addresses in specified northern Illinois counties.

Nonprofits and educational institutions serving children’s educational, health, and welfare needs in northeastern Illinois may be eligible for this fund, including elementary education initiatives and scholarships. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley provides support across counties such as Kane, Kendall, DuPage, and surrounding areas for child-focused programs and student success.

Graduating high school seniors in Northern Virginia pursuing early childhood or elementary education careers can receive up to US $20,000 for full-time undergraduate study. Northern Virginia students interested in strengthening elementary education can access funding through the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, which considers academic achievement, financial need, dedication to education, and community service.

Male students pursuing an elementary education degree at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls can apply for the Steve Brovold Scholarship, awarding US $1,000 for higher education costs. This scholarship from St. Croix Valley Foundation may benefit those preparing for future work in elementary education settings.

Alumni of Pasco School District and educators at Virgie Robinson Elementary in Franklin County, Washington can receive support for academic scholarships and staff development. Three Rivers Community Foundation provides elementary education funding that may help with academic enrichment, teacher training, and related school-based needs at this specific school community.

Graduating high school seniors in Prince William County planning an undergraduate degree in education, especially early childhood or elementary education, can receive up to US $2,000 for college costs. Focused on educator preparation, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia invites students active in their communities and strong in academics to apply.

Education Service Centers in Texas that support Title I campuses with Comprehensive Support and Improvement labels can apply for Texas Education Agency’s School Improvement Facilitation funding. Grants help ESCs deliver diagnostics, technical assistance, leadership coaching, and performance management support that strengthen elementary and other school systems’ improvement efforts.

Teachers, students, and professionals developing STEM education materials or programs for Kentucky elementary and secondary schools can receive up to US $2,500 for supplies, tool-kits, travel, small equipment, and related costs. Kentucky Academy of Science members can use this funding to enhance classroom learning and outreach resources hosted online for statewide access.

Elementary schools and related educational organizations in Noble County, Indiana can seek funding to teach chess to all elementary students and support participation in chess competitions. Focused on elementary education enrichment, the Noble County Community Foundation invites local schools to build or expand structured chess programs through the Noble County Chess Fund.

Central Noble High School seniors planning to attend a four-year Indiana college to become teachers can receive $1,500 for tax-exempt educational expenses through the Carol Ann Tieman Scholarship Fund. Focused on supporting future educators, Noble County Community Foundation gives preference to students pursuing elementary education and intending to teach at the elementary level.

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development can apply for the Marion I. Hall Endowment Scholarship to support their studies. U.S. residents with at least a 3.0 GPA, especially those preparing for elementary or secondary education careers, may benefit from this academic funding opportunity.

California charter schools seeking financing for acquiring, renovating, constructing, or refinancing school facilities can access funding through the California State Treasurer's Office. This federally funded program helps establish debt service reserve accounts on bond transactions, lowering overall borrowing costs and supporting facilities that serve elementary and other K–12 students.

New Jersey elementary and secondary education providers offering after-school or summer learning programs can access funding to expand community learning centers that support academic enrichment and youth development. New Jersey Department of Education provides New Jersey elementary education organizations with support for tutoring, mentoring, arts, STEM, internships, and family engagement activities that complement the regular school day.

Elementary schools in South Carolina can receive funding to provide students with free fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snacks throughout the school day. South Carolina Department of Education provides South Carolina elementary education programs with $50 per student to expand produce variety, increase consumption, and improve children’s diets, prioritizing schools with at least 50% free or reduced-price meal eligibility.

Teachers in the Watertown Unified School District area can apply for the Educational Foundation of Watertown’s Watertown Teachers Grant, offering up to US $2,500 for classroom projects and materials. Funding supports PreK–12 initiatives with continuing value and multi-year student impact, which may benefit elementary education programs in Dodge and Jefferson counties, Wisconsin.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving elementary-age youth in the Pikes Peak Region can seek US $5,000 - US $15,000 to support education, youth services, and related programs. Grants from The Moniker Foundation help Colorado groups in El Paso and Teller counties fund early childhood education, after-school programming, literacy initiatives, and critical operating or project needs.

Focused on early literacy, Arkansas Community Foundation invites Arkansas elementary education and early childhood organizations to apply for project support. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, government entities, and some community groups serving counties with local affiliate offices may be eligible for programs in school readiness, classroom instruction, attendance, summer learning, parent engagement, and whole-child supports.

Los Angeles elementary schools promoting student health and physical activity can access funding through the Los Angeles Rams Foundation’s Play 60 Field Day program. This structured, in-school football engagement event serves K–5 students in the greater Los Angeles area, combining character education, healthy eating messages, and active play stations to support elementary education and wellness goals.

Elementary schools in Southern California seeking literacy enrichment for 1st–3rd graders can request an in-person Rams Readers visit featuring a read-along assembly and free books for each student. Los Angeles Rams Foundation supports elementary education by bringing Rampage, cheerleaders, and ambassadors to campuses across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.

The Tait Foundation Grants aim to support innovative early childhood education programs for under-resourced families and children aged 0-8 in Montgomery County, Ohio. The foundation emphasizes evidence-based practices and measurable outcomes, ensuring that grantees demonstrate solid organizational capacity and community engagement. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt non-profit organizations and adhere to specific criteria, while the foundation does not support multi-year commitments or certain restricted areas such as medical research or lobbying activities.

The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education Grant, administered by the Maine Community Foundation, supports professional artists collaborating with teachers to integrate arts into public schools for grades 3-5 in Penobscot and Washington counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities, public schools, and recognized Indian tribal governments. This grant aims to enhance educational experiences through the arts, fostering creativity and engagement among students.

Mission Statement

The Belk Foundation believes that education is a basis for successful society and that a quality education is the right of all children and youth. Our mission is to invest in schools and organizations that work aggressively to ensure all students graduate from high school and continue on an intentional path toward college, career and life.

Belk Foundation Grant

The Belk Foundation has two areas that it is interested in supporting:

• K-3 Achievement: Increasing the number of children in grades K-3 who achieve on or above grade level in core subjects
• Quality Teaching and Leading: Increasing quality teaching and leading in K-12 public schools

We support non-profit organizations with a 501(c)3 status as well as direct grants to public school systems and institutes of higher education. We dedicate our resources to K-3 Achievement and Teaching and Leadership locally in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and at the state level in North Carolina.

In order to assess your fit as a potential partner, we encourage you to read the following:

• Our approach
• Our guidelines
• Outcomes sought
• Past grantees

Oakland Human Services Department

The Oakland Human Services Department exists to make our city a place that works for all. We offer free programs and provide public resources to community organizations that make sure all of our residents can access what they need to be safe, healthy and realize their full potential.

Oakland Fund for Children and Youth

The Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) is a cornerstone initiative of the City of Oakland, operating within the Children and Youth Services Division of the Human Services Department. As the city’s largest grantmaking program, OFCY plays a vital role in supporting the well-being and success of Oakland’s children, youth, and families. 

Through strategic funding of community-based organizations, OFCY invests in programs that uplift, empower, and protect Oakland’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring access to critical resources, enriching opportunities, and brighter futures for the next generation.

Mission Statement: We provide strategic funding to support Oakland's children and youth from birth to 21 years of age to become healthy, happy, educated, engaged, powerful and loved community members.

OFCY Request for Proposals (RFP) for Children, Youth, & Family Services

Scope of Services

The City releases the Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit program proposals from non-profit organizations and public agencies to provide services to children, youth, and their families in Oakland. OFCY will fund programs that are prevention and early intervention oriented.

Programs should be culturally responsive, age-appropriate, and child, youth, and family-centered. Investments are designed to support all children in Oakland, particularly those who experience the greatest disparities in the city.

The OFCY Three-Year Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) outlines how funds should be distributed to meet the four OFCY foundational goals:

• Support the healthy development of young children
• Help children and youth succeed in school and graduate high school
• Prevent and reduce violence, crime and gang involvement among children and youth
• Help youth transition to a productive adulthood 

Eight Funding Strategies were identified to support the four OFCY foundation goals: Strategy 1: Family Resource Centers & Parent Engagement; Strategy 2: Elementary School-Based Expanded Learning; Strategy 3: Middle School-Based Expanded Learning; Strategy 4: Youth Development & Leadership; Strategy 5: Career Access & Employment; Strategy 6: Youth Summer Jobs/Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program; Strategy 7: Independent Living; Strategy 8: Placed-Based Innovations for Safety 

Strategy 2: Elementary School-Based Expanded Learning

The Elementary School-Based Expanded Learning strategy aims to support student success in elementary school. Under this strategy, school-based afterschool and summer programming will be provided at OUSD elementary schools where most students qualify for a free/reduced lunch. OFCY and OUSD have a longstanding Oakland Expanded Learning partnership that has created access to free school-based afterschool and summer programs for families whose children attend Title 1 schools. This strategy funds programs providing extended learning days for elementary school students that offer a variety of diverse academic and enrichment programs.