Best Grants for Charter Schools in Ohio

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

Middle and high school science teachers in Ohio and other U.S. locations can receive up to US $3,000 to improve chemical safety in their classrooms and labs. The American Chemical Society funds curriculum-integrated safety, professional development, and safety infrastructure upgrades, which may benefit charter school educators managing chemicals in K-12 settings.

Full-time preK–12 teachers seeking to design their own professional learning experiences can apply for fellowships that support individualized growth and classroom impact. With a mission to empower educators, Fund For Teachers provides Ohio and other U.S. K–12 teachers with funding for self-directed professional development that strengthens instruction in charter, public, and private school settings.

The Luther Halsey Gulick Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes individuals with over ten years of membership who have made outstanding contributions to health and physical education. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a candidate selected for their exemplary leadership and service in the field. Nominations are carefully evaluated based on the candidate's impact on the profession and their ability to inspire future generations to lead healthy, active 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.

K-12 teachers and educators in Ohio can receive funding for insect-themed science projects and classroom programs. The Entomological Society of America supports hands-on entomology education through the Chrysalis Fund, offering up to US $2,500 for supplies, services, travel for guest speakers, and educator or expert compensation directly tied to project activities.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.