Best Grants for Charter Schools in Ohio

Public school districts, educators, and eligible nonprofit or public organizations in Ohio can seek funding to enhance K-12 STEM classroom learning, especially in Belmont, Guernsey, and Monroe counties. With a mission to strengthen K-12 education, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio provides grants up to US $1,000 for STEM materials, opportunities, and experiences that charter schools may also implement.

Ohio PK-12 public school teachers and administrators can access funding through the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation for classroom or school-wide deep learning projects. Grants up to US $3,000 support critical reading, writing, math, research, problem-solving, self-directed learning, interdisciplinary, and project-based experiences that directly involve students, which may include innovative initiatives within Ohio charter school settings.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

Local education agencies and community-based organizations in Ohio can access funding to deliver high-quality K-12 academic enrichment, after-school, and summer learning programs for students from economically disadvantaged families. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC grants support tutoring, STEM/STEAM, arts, literacy, youth development, and expanded learning time, with awards more than US $50,000.

Ohio K-12 education and workforce development organizations in Ohio can seek funding to build rural health career pipelines, upskilling, and retention initiatives; awards up to US $10,000,000 support these efforts. Ohio Department of Health and Human Services backs projects connecting schools, training institutions, and rural healthcare employers to address rural health workforce needs.

Nonprofit charitable organizations in Ohio can seek funding for K–12 education, college and career preparation, and workforce readiness programs, as well as community development and basic needs, from KeyBank Foundation, with awards of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Grants from KeyBank Foundation help charter schools and other education providers strengthen student success and economic stability.

Ohio K–12 schools and education-focused entities can receive US $60,000 - US $120,000 for non-infrastructure projects that promote safe walking and biking to school in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation funds education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation activities, which may benefit charter schools developing Safe Routes to School plans and programs.

Ohio K–12 schools, libraries, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering family literacy programs can seek up to US $10,000 for adult education, children’s education, and parent–child literacy time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds organizations within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, which may include charter schools providing direct literacy services.

Ohio K–12 schools and education-focused entities can seek funding for pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure projects within two miles of schools through the Safe Routes to School program in Ohio. Ohio Department of Transportation reimburses up to 100% of eligible project costs, with awards up to US $500,000 for engineering, construction, and related phases.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

K-12 schools in Ohio developing inclusive athletic programs for students with developmental disabilities can apply for this initiative, which offers up to US $50,000 to build educator and coach capacity. Focused on inclusive education and sports, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities supports train-the-trainer models that may benefit charter schools seeking adaptive, school-based sports programming.

Ohio public school districts, non-religious private schools partnering with public schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting PK-12 education can receive US $4,000 - US $55,000 for student learning or teacher development projects. Grants from Martha Holden Jennings Foundation help Ohio K-12 educators pursue deep learning and excellent teaching initiatives that directly involve students or teachers.

Ohio K-12 schools and education-focused organizations developing inclusive athletic programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access funding through the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, with awards of US $57,000. Projects use a train-the-trainer model to build sustainable capacity, create training materials, and support peer engagement and technical assistance in schools, including charter schools.

The SHAPE America: Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary role model committed to fostering student engagement in professional activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of membership in SHAPE America and serve as full-time faculty at a higher education institution. This award emphasizes mentorship through professional behavior, involvement in student projects, and providing academic guidance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

The Charles D. Berry Foundation, established in 2018 by Chuck Berry, aims to enrich the Greater Dayton community through grants in arts, education, health, and community services. The foundation emphasizes support for programs that foster creativity, education, and well-being, ensuring a positive impact on local residents. They prioritize requests for operating and capital support, while maintaining a commitment to social equity and inclusion. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having 501(c)(3) status.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations, including those connected to Ohio communities, can apply for approximately US $77,000 to support year-round, direct-service programming. With a mission to advance charitable and educational purposes, the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund favors proven, collaborative programs with measurable outcomes and sustainable, accountable finances.

The Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants support agricultural literacy by providing funds for educators to purchase resources from the Ag Foundation store. In 2025, 100 educators will receive $100 in store credits, selected randomly if applications exceed this number. This initiative, backed by the CSL Foundation, honors Christy Lilja's legacy of advocating for agricultural education. The grants aim to enhance classroom resources and improve students' understanding of agriculture, ensuring access to accurate information.

Ohio K–12 schools, districts, and education-focused organizations developing STEM and biomedical science programs for pre-K to grade 12 students can access funding through the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award. Projects may be classroom-based or informal, including after-school and library programs, and can support charter school initiatives that build quantitative and computational skills.

Ohio K-12 education and youth-serving organizations working on child and family issues can seek support for programs that improve quality of life. With a mission to promote strong communities, W.R. and Floy A. Sauey Family Foundation provides funding in select areas, including Ohio counties such as Geauga and Medina, for services like schooling, housing, health care, and family stability.

Ohio K-12 agricultural education programs run through county or state Farm Bureaus can seek up to US $1,000 to start or expand ongoing ag literacy projects. Focused on agricultural education, the American Farm Bureau Federation supports repeat-use materials and activities, and charter schools may participate by partnering with their local Farm Bureau.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.

The Callahan Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Northeast Ohio that demonstrate exceptional leadership and create valuable community contributions. Established in 1968, the foundation prioritizes funding for arts, education, and social services, focusing on projects that enhance access to higher education and healthcare for disadvantaged populations. Organizations can apply for capital projects, operational support, and leadership development funding, fostering sustainable growth and innovation within the region.

The OneAmerica Financial Community grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on education, workforce development, safety, wellness, and community vibrancy. With a commitment to making a difference, OneAmerica aims to transform lives through strategic philanthropy. Their initiatives include disaster relief, arts support, and civic engagement, fostering resilient communities. By investing in meaningful change, they build a foundation for shared success across the country, ensuring that community needs are met and future generations thrive.

The National Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) Legacy Award, established by SHAPE America, honors exemplary contributions to increasing opportunities for women in sports. This annual award recognizes current SHAPE America members who submit impactful proposals related to women's sports, with a monetary prize of $1000. The award will be presented at the National Convention & Exposition, with a special deadline of November 1st. Nominations can include various initiatives aimed at empowering women in sports.

The Measurement and Evaluation Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished SHAPE America professional who has significantly impacted measurement and evaluation in health and physical education. This prestigious award highlights the importance of scholarly achievement and the influence of national standards in enhancing educational practices. It aims to honor those who have dedicated their careers to improving the quality of health and physical education, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles for students across the nation.

The Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award recognizes exceptional contributions by a SHAPE America professional towards the Measurement and Evaluation SIG's mission. This prestigious accolade celebrates those who advance health and physical education practices, inspiring educators to enhance student well-being. Eligibility requires current membership in SHAPE America and the Measurement and Evaluation SIG, ensuring that only dedicated professionals are honored. This award embodies the commitment to fostering excellence in educational environments, ultimately aiming to prepare all children to lead active, healthy lives.

The Measurement and Evaluation Graduate Student Award, offered by SHAPE America, aims to support graduate students specializing in psychomotor measurement and evaluation. This scholarship assists with professional expenses, ensuring candidates can focus on their studies. Eligible applicants must be current SHAPE America members and pursuing relevant master's or doctoral degrees. The award prioritizes those who have completed their first year of study, promoting excellence in health and physical education across the U.S.