Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Mississippi

About the Community Foundation for Mississippi

We Are Better Together. We Are Mississippi.

Mississippi is one of the most charitable states in the nation. Our state is full of generous people who want their communities to be great places to live. Helping communities harness their philanthropic potential is what we do. We work alongside community leaders, philanthropists, and community partners to make meaningful and lasting change in our state. Because, truly, we are better together.

Friends of Andrew Bucci Fund: Art Supply Grant

The Friends of Andrew Bucci Fund’s 2026 Art Supply Grant cycle is now open. Mississippi art teachers may apply for grants of up to $500 to purchase supplies that support visual arts instruction for students in pre-K through 12th grade.

The fund was created to honor the memory of Andrew Bucci, one of Mississippi’s most celebrated visual artists. Grants help teachers provide hands-on opportunities for students to create and explore art using supplies such as paper, paint, paintbrushes, pencils, markers and clay.

Public K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) public charities in Mississippi can seek funding to enhance education, especially math, science, and business learning, from Vulcan Materials Company Foundation. Grants support elementary and secondary education in Vulcan operating communities, with priority for projects involving school partnerships, STEM programs, and employee involvement.

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, colleges/universities, and nonprofits in Mississippi and Louisiana can apply for the Brown Foundation’s SupportSTEM grants, with awards up to US $30,000 for STEM curriculum implementation and instruction support. Funding can cover professional development, curriculum models, STEM kits, conferences, materials, equipment, transportation, and ongoing STEM programs that enrich K-12 education.

K-12 schools in Mississippi can receive support for classroom-based service learning projects that connect academic curriculum with hands-on community service. Joe W & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, via the STEM Library Lab, funds projects following NYLC standards, including transportation, project materials, nonprofit partner fees, and offers an additional $500 Principal’s Award per funded school.

Mississippi Catholic K-12 schools and dioceses seeking leadership development for promising educators can access funding through Catholic Extension’s Catholic School Leadership Development Grant. The program covers most tuition plus travel for a one-year online certificate in Catholic school administration, building leadership capacity and strengthening mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership in Extension Dioceses.

K-12 schools, libraries, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Mississippi offering family literacy programs can seek up to US $10,000 to support adult education, children’s education, and parent-child literacy time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports K-12 education by funding organizations within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and listed in the National Literacy Directory.

Nonprofit organizations providing people-focused services in Mississippi can seek one-year grants for K-12 education, family services, housing, food security, health, and related needs. Focused on community well-being, MGM Resorts Foundation invites agencies serving children and families to apply, which may include partners supporting K-12 students and school communities outside of direct school funding.

Public, charter, and private middle and high schools in Mississippi seeking to expand student mental health support services can apply for grants awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000. School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network provides a fully funded on-campus mental health professional and performance-based awards to help address chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, and declining academic performance in grades 6–12.

Middle and high school science teachers in Mississippi who use or manage chemicals can request up to US $3,000 to improve chemical safety in their classrooms and labs. The American Chemical Society funds curriculum integration of safety, professional development, and infrastructure upgrades like storage, inventory management, and waste disposal for U.S. and territory schools.

Full-time preK–12 classroom teachers planning professional learning fellowships can use this grant to deepen skills and improve student achievement, including those serving Mississippi schools. With a mission to empower educators, Fund For Teachers provides U.S. teachers with funding for self-designed professional development that they will bring back to their classrooms and school communities.

K-12 teachers and educators in Mississippi can seek funding for insect-focused classroom and youth programs, including supplies, services, travel, and educator stipends, with awards up to US $2,500. The Entomological Society of America’s Chrysalis Fund supports creative insect science projects that bring entomology into K-12 learning environments.

K-12 education programs in Mississippi focused on agricultural literacy can seek support, via local Farm Bureaus, to start or expand recurring classroom projects. Focused on agricultural education, American Farm Bureau Federation invites county and state Farm Bureaus to apply for up to US $1,000 to build reusable resources and materials for grades K-12.

Mississippi K-12 schools and education-focused organizations can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to develop innovative STEM and biomedical science education programs for pre-K through 12 students and teachers. Projects may be classroom-based or informal, including after-school and library programs, and can also support quantitative and computational skills development. Eligible applicants span the U.S., including territories.

K–12 educators seeking agricultural literacy materials in Mississippi and nationwide can use this grant to purchase accurate ag resources for their classrooms. With a mission to support agricultural education, American Farm Bureau provides selected teachers with US $100 in credit to spend on approved items from the AFBFA store.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations can apply for approximately US $77,000 in program support, including year-round services. With a mission to advance charitable and educational purposes, the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund supports established, outcomes-driven programs, which may benefit Mississippi K-12 schools partnering with reservation-based initiatives.

Mississippi higher-education faculty who mentor future K–12 educators can access recognition through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Mentor of the Year Award. Mississippi K–12 education programs may benefit when faculty who are SHAPE America members, and exemplary role models in academic and professional preparation, are nominated by their chairs, deans, colleagues, or students.

K-12 schools and youth-serving music programs in Mississippi can seek support for bluegrass music education and related activities for students 21 and younger. The IBMA Foundation uses the Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund flexibly to help young people experience, learn, and play bluegrass through educational, artistic, and historic preservation projects.

K-12 education nonprofits and school-linked organizations in Mississippi working on youth learning, workforce development, or basic needs may be eligible for national community grants supporting education-based programs. Grants from OneAmerica Financial help fund K-12 academic initiatives, job readiness efforts, and food security or housing stability projects, with particular emphasis on communities including Indianapolis and Maine.

K-12 educators and SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sports can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award, which provides US $1,000 for research, after-school programs, leadership development, or similar initiatives. Mississippi school staff involved in girls’ and women’s athletics or physical education may be strong candidates.

Health and physical education scholars working in K–12 settings, including those in Mississippi, can be honored for lifetime contributions to measurement and evaluation through the Measurement and Evaluation Lifetime Achievement Award. With a mission to advance professional practice, Society of Health and Physical Educators recognizes SHAPE America members whose scholarly work has significantly shaped theory and application in the field.

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.

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 education organizations serving K–12 students with learning differences, including in Mississippi, can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund support; awards range from US $150,000 - US $250,000 in one-year general operating grants. With a mission to reimagine public education, NewSchools provides funding, expert coaching, and peer community for innovative schools, learning solutions, and teaching models.

The All Kids Play: Youth Sports Grant aims to support families and community-based organizations in low-income areas, ensuring access to recreational sports for children in grades K-12. This grant assists those who struggle to afford youth sports, providing essential funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible organizations must demonstrate budget constraints and operate in areas with high low-income student percentages, promoting inclusivity in youth sports participation.

The Spotlight Fund Grants, specifically the STEM Fund, provide essential funding for K-12 educators to enhance their curriculum with necessary tools and materials for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education. Aimed at supporting under-served communities, these grants typically range from $500 to $1,000 per educator, with a cap of $5,000 per school. Priority is given to educators from high-needs schools, ensuring equitable access to quality STEM education.

The Spotlight Fund Grants aim to enhance racial equity in K-12 education by providing flexible funding to BIPOC educators. With grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, these funds are essential for sourcing tools and materials that support diverse student needs. As schools face budget cuts exacerbated by COVID-19, this initiative focuses on proven strategies that foster an inclusive learning environment for students of color, ensuring they have equal opportunities to thrive.

The Spotlight Funds: Inclusive Classroom Grants support K-12 educators by providing financial assistance to acquire essential tools and materials for diverse classrooms. These grants address inequities based on race, gender identity, and ability, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed. With awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, the program prioritizes high-needs schools, empowering teachers to create inclusive learning environments that reflect their students' unique backgrounds.