Best Grants for K-12 Schools

Nonprofit organizations, school sports programs, and government-run programs in low income U.S. communities can seek support for community-based recreational sports for students in grades K-12. Grants from All Kids Play help K-12 schools and youth-serving groups cover sports participation costs on a need and first-come, first-served basis, subject to income and budget constraints.

K-12 schools and education nonprofits in the U.S. and other eligible countries can seek project-based support for students with physical or mental disabilities through Enterprise Mobility’s employee-led grants. Local organizations in areas like health and human services, education, arts, environment, disaster relief, animals, and military/veterans support may be eligible when actively backed by an Enterprise Mobility team member or partner.

The Hearst Foundation: Education Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that promote education across various levels, focusing primarily on higher education. With a minimum grant size of $100,000, the foundation prioritizes organizations demonstrating significant impact and sustainability. They support innovative educational models, professional development, and scholarships, specifically targeting underserved populations. Since the 1940s, the foundation has evolved while maintaining its commitment to fostering healthy and productive lives for all individuals in the United States.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) public charities working with elementary and secondary students can access funding through Verizon Foundation to support digital skills and STEM-focused education programs. Eligible projects include K-12 digital skills development, STEM summer or afterschool programs, teacher professional development, and research on technology-infused pedagogy; new applications are by invitation only.

K-12 schools, education-support nonprofits, and other 501(c)(3) organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington can apply for M J Murdock Charitable Trust’s strategic project grants; awards more than US $50,000 for new or expanded programs and related staff. Projects in K-12 education and leadership development may be especially competitive.

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

Building the Future Workforce Challenge

Awarding $5 million and the opportunity to test bold, tech‑forward solutions that strengthen the advanced manufacturing and industry technician workforce—today and for the future.

About the Challenge

Caterpillar knows preparing the workforce for the future is urgent. Communities, employers, and industry need new ways to close advancing skill gaps. The Building the Future Workforce Challenge invites fresh perspectives from all sectors to rethink training. Up to five teams will be awarded $1 million each for sustainable, tech‑forward solutions that strengthen today’s—and tomorrow’s—advanced manufacturing and industry technician talent pipelines.

What types of solutions are you looking for?

The Building the Future Workforce Challenge aims to identify, test, and scale innovative, sustainable solutions that will address today’s and tomorrow’s advanced manufacturing and industry technician skill gaps. A core requirement of any solution is that it remains relevant amid evolving technology—ensuring that breakthrough innovation and human potential rise together.

Strong proposals for Building the Future Workforce Challenge will meet four criteria outlined in the scoring rubric, and proposed solutions must focus on one or more of the following solution categories for Building the Future Workforce Challenge:

K-12 schools and educational nonprofits worldwide can apply for Amateur Radio Digital Communications grants to support amateur radio, STEAM education linked to wireless or digital communications, and related research projects. Eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities, government agencies, and international schools must make all funded materials openly available under approved open-source or Creative Commons licenses.

K–12 schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, parent groups, autistic individuals, and direct autism service providers in the U.S. can apply for the Organization for Autism Research Community Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $15,000 for practical, noncommercial tools. Projects must create publicly accessible resources that improve autistic students’ physical health, services, or adult-life outcomes.

K-12 public and nonprofit schools and 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. can seek grants of US $1,000 - US $15,000 for basic needs, youth development, community spaces, arts and culture, and workforce development programs. Target Foundation supports community-focused education and enrichment initiatives through its Community Engagement Funds, with local Target leaders guiding funding decisions.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S. delivering economics or financial literacy education can seek support for curriculum, programs, or competitions. Grants from Calvin K. Kazanjian Economics Foundation help education-focused organizations, including those serving youth in non-school settings or underserved communities, with US $10,000 - US $25,000 for economic and personal finance initiatives.

Public K-12 schools and eligible nonprofit parent groups in the U.S. can receive up to US $50,000 to purchase theatre equipment, instruments, licensing, and production supplies. With a mission to expand theatre education access, American Theatre Wing supports under-resourced schools seeking to create or enhance in-school theatre programs and nurture student talent.

K–12 schools and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada can receive funding or equipment to start or expand student bee education programs through Whole Kids Foundation’s Bee Grants, awarding US $500 - US $1,500. Grants support live hive setups, observation hives, and related educational activities that integrate pollinator learning into school curricula.

NEA state affiliates planning K-12 literacy and diverse reading initiatives in the U.S. can apply for Read Across America State Affiliate Event Grants up to US $7,500. National Education Association Staff Organization supports events, book distributions, author visits, and other activities that celebrate diverse books, reading, and the freedom to learn throughout the school year.

Colocation America provides U.S. K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with funding for innovative STEM programs, offering US $1,500 - US $7,500 for tools, equipment, curriculum, staff stipends, field trips, and professional development. Public and private elementary and secondary schools with STEM-specific programming serving K-12 students may be eligible.

K-12 schools and education-focused nonprofits in the U.S. can access funding for community services and local projects that benefit their Walmart or Sam’s Club service area. Walmart Foundation’s Spark Good Local Grants offer US $250 - US $5,000 for initiatives like student support, community engagement, and other locally driven needs, pending Deed verification.

The NewSchools: Learning Solutions Grant Program aims to empower K-8 students by enhancing their literacy and numeracy skills, crucial for overcoming educational challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. With a focus on innovative learning solutions, the program seeks to fund early-stage ideas that engage students and support educators. By leveraging research and technology, including generative AI, it aims to create equitable educational opportunities, fostering a brighter future for all students.

K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations in the U.S. can receive funding to develop or expand conflict resolution education and training for students and the adults who work with them. Jams Foundation provides up to US $40,000 to support programs, especially those helping middle school youth navigate multicultural environments and improve peaceful interactions in school communities.

K-12 schools, districts, libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S. can receive US $500 - US $10,000 to run autism peer education and awareness initiatives. Organization for Autism Research supports projects using its Kit for Kids materials, with strong encouragement for school districts and organizations serving low-income communities.

K-12 public schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving at-risk children or those with special or medical needs in Ohio can seek funding for programs that enrich students’ educational experiences. With a mission to support children’s education and wellbeing, GPD Group Employees Foundation provides grants for projects like STEAM, literacy, classroom supplies, therapy, and life skills programs.

K-12 schools and other U.S. 501(c)(3) or governmental entities can seek support for nutrition and healthy eating programs, education, training, and research. Focused on human nutrition, Allen Foundation invites projects that teach good nutritional habits, train nutrition educators, and advance school-based or academic research with potential for long-term self-sufficiency.

Focused on expanding evidence-based student supports, the National Partnership for Student Success invites U.S. K-12 nonprofits, school districts, agencies, and higher education institutions to collaborate on high-impact tutoring and mentoring initiatives. Grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000 can fund tutoring, mentoring, success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound supports for students.

The Akamai Foundation's Early Learner STEM Education Grant aims to foster STEM education for students aged 5-19, especially during the pandemic. It addresses digital inclusion and encourages diverse participation in technology. Applicants must provide a detailed plan outlining their program goals, including strategies to eliminate barriers to technology access. The foundation emphasizes equitable opportunities in mathematics education, supporting programs that uplift underserved communities and inspire future innovators.

Educational and human service nonprofits and government entities in the U.S. can seek US $3,000 - US $5,000 to introduce or expand mindfulness or contemplative Christian meditation programs for students and other underserved groups. Trust for the Meditation Process funds short-term projects like school-based courses, teacher training, curriculum development, and research that promote silent, non-discursive practice and well-being.

K-12 education nonprofits and school-affiliated organizations in the U.S. can seek Imagine Learning Foundation support for programs that advance students’ social, physical, mental, and emotional well-being at home and in communities. Grants from US $25,000 - US $100,000 back services, basic needs, and research addressing chronic absenteeism, housing insecurity, and related wraparound supports.

K–12 schools and related education organizations in the U.S. can receive funding to enhance mathematics learning through innovative use of tools and technology. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics provides up to US $4,000 for materials like devices, software, or professional development, with proposals focused on math content and clear plans to assess student impact.

State and county Farm Bureaus in the U.S. can apply for the White-Reinhardt Grant, offering up to US $1,000 for K-12 agricultural education programs and materials. Projects should build long-term capacity to increase agricultural literacy, and schools may partner with their local Farm Bureaus to participate.