Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Michigan

Michigan high school seniors and college underclassmen preparing for Pre-K–12 teaching careers can receive up to US $15,000 in summer professional development, mentoring, and support through the Golden Apple Scholars Program. Grants from Golden Apple Foundation help Michigan future educators gain hands-on classroom experience that ultimately benefits K-12 schools across the state.

Public and charter K–12 schools in Michigan near Livonia can apply for funding to start a PLTW Biomedical Science course, covering fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and teacher core training. Focused on STEM education, Project Lead the Way and the ON Semiconductor Foundation offer US $20,000 grants for the 2026–2027 school year.

K-12 schools, libraries, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Michigan offering family literacy programs can receive up to US $10,000 to support adult education, children’s education, and parent-child learning time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports literacy initiatives within 15 miles of its stores and requires listing in the National Literacy Directory.

Schools serving grades K–12 and affiliated nonprofits in Michigan can receive up to US $15,000 per school to develop active transportation programs that make walking and biking to school safer and more appealing. Michigan Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Mini Grant supports planning, coordination, and safety activities around school travel.

Michigan 501(c)(3) and governmental K-12 education organizations can seek funding for programs that improve the educational, economic, cultural, or religious lives of residents. Grants from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation help support innovative, collaborative projects, especially those not typically covered by public funding and planned for long-term self-sufficiency.

Public and charter K–12 schools offering at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in 2026–2027 can apply for Project Lead The Way’s ON Semiconductor Foundation grants, with awards of US $10,000 for curriculum fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training costs. Eligible campuses must be within 50 miles of Livonia, Michigan, and other listed onsemi communities, with preference for high-need student populations.

Michigan K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children can seek funding for educational, recreational, health, and welfare programs, with awards of US $5,000 - US $50,000. The Carls Foundation supports children’s welfare in Michigan and preservation of natural areas through capital, limited operating, start-up, and multi-year grants.

K-12 schools and education-focused organizations in Michigan can seek funding for innovative programs that boost college readiness, enrollment, and completion, especially for low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Michigan College Access Network offers up to US $10,000 for initiatives that increase postsecondary attainment and may involve partnerships with Local College Access Networks.

Community-based organizations in Michigan planning Local College Access Networks can apply for Michigan College Access Network’s planning grants, awarding up to US $20,000 for strategic planning to launch an LCAN. K-12-focused collaboratives working to boost college readiness and completion, especially for low-income, first-generation students and students of color, may be strong candidates.

K-12 programs in Michigan public schools and ISDs that provide unconventional learning and enrichment experiences can apply for Kahler Foundation’s Kahler Foundation Grant, with awards of US $1,000. Eligible programs in Clinton, Eaton, or Ingham Counties must have operated at least one year and show educational impact in areas like STEAM, literacy, arts, or student well-being.

Michigan K-12 schools and other eligible public entities can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy programs through the Auto Club Group Foundation, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $15,000. This private foundation supports initiatives within its 14-state footprint, including Michigan, that improve roadway safety and student financial knowledge.

K-12 schools and education-focused nonprofits in Michigan can seek support for academic success, enrichment, and college or career preparation programs. Grants from KeyBank Foundation help expand K-12 education, financial literacy, and basic needs initiatives, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $25,000 for organizations that align with its community-focused priorities.

Michigan K-12 education nonprofits and youth-serving organizations can seek one-year project support for student and family services, including education, housing, food insecurity, health, and workforce development. Focused on community well-being, MGM Resorts Foundation invites agencies serving people in Michigan communities where its employees live and work to apply through local Community Grant Councils.

Michigan public, charter, and private middle and high schools serving grades 6–12 can apply for School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network support to expand on-campus student mental health services. Grants provide a fully funded mental health professional plus US $5,000 - US $25,000 in discretionary funding for schools demonstrating high economic need, chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, and social-emotional concerns.

Middle and high school science educators in Michigan can seek funding to improve chemical safety in their classrooms and labs, with awards up to US $3,000. The American Chemical Society supports integrating safety into curriculum, professional development, and infrastructure upgrades for U.S. and territory schools, which may benefit K-12 programs focused on safer science education.

Full-time preK–12 classroom teachers can design their own professional learning fellowships to strengthen K–12 instruction and student outcomes. With a mission to empower teacher leaders, Fund for Teachers provides Michigan educators and others nationwide with funding for individualized growth experiences they can bring back to their classrooms and school communities.

K-12 teachers and educators in Michigan can receive funding for insect-focused science projects and classroom programs. The Entomological Society of America supports hands-on entomology education, with Chrysalis Fund awards up to US $2,500 covering project-related costs such as supplies, services, travel for guest speakers, and educator or expert compensation.

K-12 education programs in Michigan focused on agricultural literacy can seek funding through the American Farm Bureau Federation’s White-Reinhardt Grant. Focused on agricultural education, the program invites county and state Farm Bureaus to apply for up to US $1,000 to start or expand reusable, capacity-building ag literacy projects for grades K-12.

Michigan K-12 schools and education partners can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to develop innovative STEM and biomedical science education projects for pre-K to grade 12 students and teachers. Eligible projects include classroom initiatives, after-school or library-based programs, and activities that build quantitative and computational skills and interest in science careers.

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.

The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Charitable Fund Grant is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, established in 1992. It focuses on philanthropy, specifically supporting K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations. The foundation directs its grants primarily to regions preferred by donors, including several states in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming to improve educational opportunities and foster community development in underserved populations.

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.

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 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.