Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Montana

Local educational agencies and community-based organizations in Montana can receive multi-year funding for after-school and summer academic enrichment programs through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Montana Office of Public Instruction awards more than US $250,000 total, with at least $50,000 per year for five years, to support K-12 students and families.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) education organizations in Montana can apply for First Interstate Bank’s community grants, with awards of more than US $2,500 for local educational and related needs. Funding is recommended through local bank branches and may also support health, human services, arts, and sustainability programs connected to school communities.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Montana can apply for Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Intermountain grants to support education, youth success, and related health and human services programs. Eligible organizations must serve communities where Albertsons operates and may also propose projects in areas like cancer research or inclusion for people with disabilities.

Montana K-12 schools, teachers, and education leaders can seek funding to develop or expand GIS, GPS, and other location-based technology use in classrooms, including curriculum, training, and equipment, with awards up to Up to US $1,500. The Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals also offers conference registration and a travel stipend for grant recipients to share their projects.

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Montana and other Western states serving youth ages 6–18 can seek funding for athletics, culture, and education programs, including general operating support. With a mission to expand youth education and opportunities for communities of color, Charlotte Y Martin Foundation prioritizes rural groups and programs that increase racial equity and diverse learning experiences.

Montana Catholic K-12 schools and dioceses seeking to develop emerging school leaders can access funding through Catholic Extension for graduate-level training in Catholic school administration. The program covers most tuition plus travel for a one-year online certificate focused on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, with participants committing to two years of service in their diocesan schools.

Montana K–12 schools and education partners can access funding to develop innovative STEM and biomedical science education programs for pre-K through grade 12 students and teachers. Through the NIH Science Education Partnership Award, projects may be classroom-based or offered in informal settings such as after-school programs and libraries, including those emphasizing quantitative and computational skills.

K–12 educators in Montana and across the U.S. can receive US $100 in credit to purchase agricultural literacy materials for their classrooms. With a mission to support agricultural education, American Farm Bureau provides teachers with access to accurate, standards-based resources from the AFBFA store to enhance student understanding of agriculture.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children on reservations can apply for approximately US $77,000 in program support from the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund. With a mission to advance charitable and educational purposes, this fund backs year-round, measurable programs; Montana-serving groups may be eligible if they meet its regional and impact criteria.

Montana K-12 education professionals in higher education roles who are SHAPE America members and exemplary mentors of future teachers may be eligible for this national recognition. Montana K-12 schools can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators to honor faculty who model professionalism, advise students, and encourage involvement in service, research, and professional activities.

K-12 schools and youth-serving music programs in Montana can access support for bluegrass music education through the IBMA Foundation’s Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund. The fund is used where most needed to help people age 21 and younger experience and learn to play bluegrass music, including school-related initiatives.

K-12 schools and education-focused nonprofits working on youth learning, workforce readiness, or basic needs in Montana may be eligible for community grants supporting education-based programs. Grants from OneAmerica Financial help organizations nationwide, with emphasis on Indianapolis and Maine, fund K-12 education, workforce development, and food security and housing stability initiatives.

K–12 educators and other 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, professional development, after-school programs, or similar initiatives. Montana school-based health and PE programs may be eligible if led by a current member.

K-12 health and physical education professionals in Montana focused on measurement and evaluation scholarship can be honored through this lifetime achievement award. With a mission to advance professional practice, Society of Health and Physical Educators recognizes SHAPE America members who have significantly advanced theory and scholarly application in school-based health and physical education nationwide.

With a mission to advance health and physical education, Society of Health and Physical Educators provides Montana K-12 professionals with the Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award. Current SHAPE America members in the Measurement and Evaluation SIG who have significantly advanced the SIG’s mission may be nominated, including posthumous nominations within five years.

Graduate students in psychomotor measurement and evaluation at U.S. colleges or universities can receive support to cover professional expenses, including work connected to K-12 health and physical education. With a mission to advance health and physical education, SHAPE America provides this award to members with at least one academic year remaining.

Individual K-12 health and physical education professionals in Montana and nationwide can be recognized for long-term excellence, leadership, and service through this top professional honor. The Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Luther Halsey Gulick Award annually celebrates one SHAPE America member with at least ten years of membership and prior national recognition.

The James & Ursula Williams Teacher Grants Program : Field Trip Grants

As a born native of Vallejo, James was generationally admired for his enduring work ethic and was lovingly embraced for his dedication and support to family, friends, and community. Ursula’s self-motivation, persistence, and quest for excellence brought her professional recognition. As a community activist, she shared her leadership organizational skills as a member of community and political organizations who made positive contributions to the community.

In life, they created and took advantage of all opportunities presented to them. Both recognized the important role that education made in creating healthy, happy, and productive lives for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. The Williams Family hopes to continue their legacy through The James & Ursula Williams Family Fund.

Field Trip Grants:

Grants of up to $1,000 are available to fund 1-day excursions; field trips should have an academic component that supplements your classroom curriculum. Funds can cover the cost of transportation, and admission fees. Examples: Vallejo Flood and Water District, the Exploratorium, etc. The purpose of this program is to bring learning outside of the classroom and provide hands-on experiences to students.

The White-Reinhardt Grant offers funding for projects that enhance agricultural literacy among K-12 students. With grants of up to $1,000 available, state and county Farm Bureaus can initiate new educational programs or expand existing ones. This initiative, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and its Women’s Leadership Committee, honors the contributions of Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, aiming to bolster agricultural knowledge across the nation.

The Chrysalis Fund, managed by the Entomological Society of America, supports K-12 educators in fostering youth interest in insect science. Grants can cover various project expenses, including supplies and travel costs. Funding levels include micro-grants (under $500), regular grants ($500-$999), and large grants ($1,000-$2,500). This initiative encourages innovative educational programs that engage students with entomology, enhancing their learning experience and promoting science education.

The Fund for Teachers Fellowship empowers educators to design personalized learning experiences that enhance their professional skills and student engagement. With over 20 years of experience, this initiative has supported more than 10,000 teachers, enabling them to transform their classrooms through unique fellowship opportunities. Eligible applicants include full-time teachers in the U.S. who have at least three years of teaching experience and plan to return to the classroom after their fellowship. This fellowship fosters innovative teaching practices and collaborative growth.

The CCS High School Chemical Safety Grant, offered by the American Chemical Society, aims to enhance chemical safety in secondary education. Educators can apply for up to $3,000 to support initiatives like curriculum integration of safety practices, advocating for safe chemical usage, and improving safety infrastructure. Eligible applicants include middle and high school science teachers in the U.S. Grants cover training, equipment, and workshops to promote a culture of safety in educational environments.

The Principal Student Support Services Grant, offered by the School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network, aims to enhance mental health support for students in grades 6-12 at under-resourced public schools. With funding available for hiring mental health professionals and performance-based awards, this initiative addresses critical challenges like chronic absenteeism and behavioral issues. By providing targeted interventions, the grant seeks to improve academic performance and overall well-being among students facing mental health crises.

The Montana Wild Transportation & Lodging Grants provide financial assistance to Montana public schools for travel and lodging expenses related to educational visits to Montana WILD in Helena. Grants support hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students in various subjects, including wildlife and conservation. Eligible expenses include lodging for schools located over 150 miles from Helena, with maximum awards of $2,500 for outlying schools and $500 for local schools. Applications are accepted annually from April to May.

The NewSchools Learning Differences Grant Program aims to enhance educational opportunities for students who learn differently, particularly those affected by poverty and racism. The program invests in innovative solutions and models that support personalized education for these students, ensuring they have access to quality instruction and belonging within school communities. With a focus on equity, it seeks ideas that align with its core investment areas and addresses the needs of marginalized learners.

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.