Best K–12 Education Grants

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program in Ohio provides funding and resources to promote walking and biking to school for K-12 students. Annually funded at $5 million, it supports infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects to enhance safety and accessibility. Eligible infrastructure projects include construction near schools, with a maximum limit of $500,000. Non-infrastructure activities, such as educational programs, can receive funding up to $120,000 for two years, encouraging community engagement in safe travel practices.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program in Ohio offers funding and support for non-infrastructure projects aimed at encouraging K-12 students to walk or bike to school. With an annual budget of $5 million, it funds activities like education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation. Reimbursement for eligible costs can reach up to $120,000 for two-year projects, promoting safety and accessibility around schools. This initiative helps foster healthier transportation choices for students.

The Indiana Space Grant Consortium offers funding for research and outreach projects aimed at enhancing STEM education and workforce development. With a focus on aligning proposals with NASA's objectives, projects can receive up to $20,000 for multi-disciplinary initiatives or $15,000 for others. Funds can support students, faculty, and K-12 activities, promoting engagement with NASA's mission and resources. This initiative fosters unique learning opportunities and strengthens connections to the field of space exploration.

The Callison Foundation Grant supports small organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area focused on educational success for marginalized children, youth at-risk, and vulnerable adults. Grants of up to $25,000 are awarded in three areas: education, children and youth services, and adult and senior services. Organizations can receive funding for five years within an eight-year period, with a preference for those with unique offerings and limited government funding.

The GKFF Accelerator Grants aim to enhance funding access for historically disadvantaged nonprofits in Tulsa. By providing financial and technical support, the program empowers community leaders to implement effective solutions addressing local needs. Grants are available on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews in February, May, August, and November. This initiative aligns with the George Kaiser Family Foundation's mission to ensure equitable opportunities for all Tulsans, fostering community engagement and improving overall well-being.

The S.T.E.M. for Girls Grants support initiatives that encourage girls in North Central West Virginia to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math. With funding up to $4,000, eligible applicants include traditional public schools and nonprofit organizations focusing on programs for girls in grades K-12. Activities may include after-school clubs, enrichment programs, and financial assistance for STEM-related events, fostering a passion for S.T.E.M. careers among young women.

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 Adirondack Trust Community Fund's Lend-A-Hand Grants support local charities in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. With grants up to $3,000, they prioritize projects addressing civil rights, community services, education, and more. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and demonstrate a clear community need. The fund aims to efficiently allocate resources to impactful initiatives, ensuring that local needs are met effectively and sustainably.

The Charter School Facilities Credit Enhancement Grant Program in California aims to lower financing costs for charter schools by providing grants for debt service reserve accounts on bond transactions. This federally-funded initiative helps reduce borrowing costs, allowing schools to access funds for facility acquisition, renovation, or construction. With a maximum award limit of $2,000,000 per financing, this program is designed to support the financial stability of charter schools across the state.

The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant supports educational initiatives in Philadelphia and surrounding counties, focusing on children and youth. The Trust prioritizes programs that improve literacy and provide equitable educational opportunities. Grants, capped at $25,000, are available for first-time applicants and require 501(c)(3) status verification. Organizations must demonstrate effective use of funds, including audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 submission. The Trust seeks to enhance lives through community-driven educational projects.

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 Bono Brothers Memorial Trust Grant supports needy children in Marin County, California, through Catholic charitable organizations. Established in 1962 by Joseph Bono, the Trust awards an average of four grants annually to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. The funds are intended for the care, support, maintenance, and education of these children, ensuring they receive necessary assistance and resources for a better future.

The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Grant supports excellence in education and assists distressed individuals in the Greater Philadelphia area, established by Christian R. Lindback's testamentary gift. Since 1961, the foundation has honored outstanding faculty with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and partners with the School District of Philadelphia to recognize exemplary public school educators. The Foundation prioritizes discretionary grants for projects that can be accomplished in a brief timeframe.

The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant focuses on enhancing educational opportunities for children and youth in Palm Beach County, FL. With a commitment to supporting under-resourced communities, the Trust provides grants up to $25,000 for programs aimed at improving literacy and educational access. Eligible organizations must demonstrate financial accountability and a clear focus on serving K-12 students. This initiative reflects the Trust's long-standing legacy of philanthropy and dedication to community upliftment.

The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant supports educational programs for children and youth in Aquidneck Island, RI, with a focus on enhancing literacy and academic skills. Grants can reach up to $25,000 and are aimed at organizations serving under-resourced communities. The Trust prioritizes first-time grant applications that demonstrate a strong impact on K-12 education and youth workforce development. Applications are accepted once a year, emphasizing the Trust's commitment to sustainable educational improvement.

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.

The Encantado Foundation Community-Based Grant aims to empower underrepresented communities in STEM fields by providing funding opportunities of up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations in Central and Northern New Mexico. This grant supports initiatives that enhance access to STEM career pathways and learning opportunities, fostering professional development for individuals seeking careers in technology. Collaborative projects may receive up to $10,000, promoting partnerships that align with the foundation's mission of inclusivity and workforce development.

The Green School Works Technical Assistance Services provide crucial support for public K-12 schools in Massachusetts to advance their decarbonization goals. Eligible participants can access low- or no-cost services including comprehensive building assessments and decarbonization roadmaps, ensuring that schools can modernize their facilities effectively. This initiative not only aids in planning for energy-efficient buildings but also offers insights into renewable energy options and funding opportunities, fostering a sustainable future for educational institutions.

The Community Grants Program (CGP) by The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits in the Metro Denver area, focusing on economic opportunity, environment, housing, and youth well-being. This program aims to reduce disparities through community leadership and racial equity, assisting historically oppressed groups. Eligible organizations must align with the foundation's values, be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and address the outlined goals. The CGP prioritizes initiatives that foster community wealth and address urgent needs in low-income communities.

The Pi Chubb Field Trip New Jersey Funds offer grants to support educational trips for underserved students, connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences. Funding up to $700 per trip is available, prioritizing excursions outside district boundaries. Eligible applicants include public and charter schools, as well as non-profit organizations in Newark, who can apply for multiple trips within a school year. This initiative aims to enrich students' educational journeys by facilitating access to cultural and educational sites.

The Schumann Field Trip New Jersey Funds provide essential grants for educational trips to various arts, cultural, historical, and scientific venues, enhancing learning for students in underserved communities. With a maximum funding of $1,500 per trip, schools can apply for multiple excursions, fostering real-world connections to classroom lessons. This initiative prioritizes trips outside local districts, benefiting all Essex County schools and eligible non-profit organizations, ensuring broader access to enriching educational experiences.

The 2025-2026 Teach for America grant aims to enhance the quality of education in Texas by funding proven models to recruit and retain effective teachers, particularly in high-need areas like the Rio Grande Valley and major metropolitan regions. The initiative targets increased employment of TFA teachers, emphasizing training in Bilingual/ESL, science, and math. By 2026, the goal is to have at least 2,100 TFA educators in classrooms serving economically disadvantaged students, ultimately improving student achievement.

The School Improvement PLC Supports grant, funded by the Texas Education Agency, aims to bolster instructional practices at Title I campuses identified for improvement. By providing resources such as enhanced PLC facilitation, increased observations, and individualized coaching, the initiative seeks to strengthen the use of high-quality instructional materials. Ultimately, the goal is to improve student outcomes by ensuring effective implementation of educational strategies within these schools.

The School Action Fund (SAF) aims to enhance access to quality education by supporting districts in implementing whole-school strategies. This initiative focuses on addressing community needs and tackling chronic underperformance, ultimately striving to ensure that more students can attend A/B-rated campuses. The upcoming 2026-2027 SAF grant will specifically assist Restart Action grantees in achieving Resource Campus designation, paving the way for improved educational opportunities within their communities.

The NYSCA Arts Bring Change (ABC) Grants support local cultural organizations and artists who collaborate with public schools to provide K-12 students with engaging artistic experiences. Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, this program emphasizes art exploration and requires projects to include hands-on learning sessions. Applicants must demonstrate a partnership with schools and meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring impactful and meaningful artistic education for students.

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.