Best Grants for K-12 Schools in West Virginia

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) organizations in West Virginia can apply for the Arts in Education Mini Grant, which offers up to US $1,000 for arts education performances, workshops, and similar experiences with West Virginia artists. Funding from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History supports in-school arts programming for K-12 students.

K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations in West Virginia can receive US $50,000 - US $250,000 to create or expand community learning centers offering after-school and summer academic enrichment. Grants from West Virginia Department of Education support tutoring, STEM, arts, literacy, social-emotional learning, and family education for students from high-poverty, low-performing schools.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations, including those serving West Virginia, can apply for approximately US $77,000 to support year-round, direct-service programming with measurable outcomes. The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund favors established programs that demonstrate community need, broad impact, collaboration, and strong financial accountability.

K-12 schools, libraries, colleges, universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in West Virginia can receive up to US $10,000 for family literacy programs that serve adults and children together. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports projects within 15 miles of a Dollar General store that include adult education, children’s education, and Parent and Child Together Time.

Public, charter, and private schools serving grades 6–12 in West Virginia can apply for US $5,000 - US $25,000 from School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network to expand student mental health support services. Funding includes a fully funded on-campus mental health professional and performance-based awards for initiatives addressing absenteeism, behavioral challenges, and declining academic performance in under-resourced K–12 settings.

Full-time preK–12 classroom teachers in West Virginia and across the U.S. can apply for Fund For Teachers fellowships to design personalized professional learning experiences that strengthen their teaching practice. Eligible educators must have at least three years’ experience and plan to return to the classroom to apply their new skills to benefit students and school communities.

K-12 teachers and educators in West Virginia can receive funding to run insect science projects and classroom programs, covering supplies, services, travel, and educator stipends. The Entomological Society of America offers Chrysalis Fund awards up to US $2,500, which may benefit school-based STEM and science initiatives for K-12 students.

West Virginia K-12 education programs focused on agricultural literacy can access funding through the American Farm Bureau Federation’s White-Reinhardt Grant, offering up to US $1,000 for reusable educational resources. State and county Farm Bureaus apply competitively, with priority for projects showing financial need and aiming to build lasting program capacity.

K-12 schools and education partners in West Virginia can seek support for STEM and biomedical science education projects through the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award. Focused on hands-on, innovative learning, this program funds classroom and informal education efforts that build quantitative and computational skills for pre-K through 12 students and teachers.

K–12 educators seeking agricultural literacy materials in West Virginia can apply for Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants, which provide US $100 in credit to purchase resources from the Ag Foundation store. Grants from American Farm Bureau Federation help teachers bring accurate agriculture education into their classrooms; 100 educators will be selected for 2025.

Full-time higher education faculty in health and physical education who mentor future K–12 professionals may be eligible for this national Mentor of the Year recognition, which includes West Virginia. Focused on exemplary advising, professional role modeling, and student engagement, Society of Health and Physical Educators honors outstanding mentors preparing K–12 educators.

K-12 schools and youth-serving programs in West Virginia that teach or introduce bluegrass music can seek flexible support for youth music education through the Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund. With a mission to support bluegrass-related education, the IBMA Foundation directs this fund where most needed to benefit individuals age 21 and younger.

West Virginia K-12 education nonprofits and school-based partners can access funding for youth learning, workforce readiness, and basic needs programs through OneAmerica Financial Foundation’s community grants. Organizations nationwide, with emphasis on Indianapolis and Maine, may be eligible for support in youth education, economic development, food security, and housing stability initiatives that strengthen community well-being.

K-12 educators and programs promoting girls’ and women’s sports opportunities, including in West Virginia, can seek the NAGWS Legacy Award to support research, professional development, after-school programs, or similar projects. With a mission to advance health and physical education, SHAPE America provides a US $1,000 annual award to a current member whose proposal honors this legacy.

K-12 health and physical education professionals in West Virginia engaged in measurement and evaluation scholarship may be eligible for this national lifetime achievement recognition. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators honor SHAPE America members whose work significantly advances theory and scholarly application in school-based health, physical education, and related fields.

Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help West Virginia K-12 education professionals engaged in health, physical education, and related measurement and evaluation work. SHAPE America members in the Measurement and Evaluation SIG who have made outstanding contributions to this SIG’s mission may be nominated for this national honor recognizing their impact on school-based health and physical education.

Graduate students in the U.S. studying psychomotor measurement and evaluation can receive support for professional expenses through this award, which may benefit future K-12 education and physical education programs in West Virginia. Grants from SHAPE America help eligible master’s and doctoral candidates who are members and have at least one academic year remaining.

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.

K–12 public schools and nonprofit organizations in North Central West Virginia can seek funding for girls-only STEM programs, activities, and competitions. Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia awards up to US $4,000 to support teacher-led enrichment, after-school clubs, and other science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities for girls in grades K–12.

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.

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.

The Spotlight Fund: Arts Grants support K-12 educators by providing funding for essential tools and materials to enhance art education. With grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, the program prioritizes educators in high-needs schools, fostering creativity and reducing dropout rates among at-risk youth. By engaging children in various art forms, the initiative enriches their educational experience and opens up future possibilities. This targeted support is vital for cultivating a new generation of artists and creative thinkers.

The SPFFA Educational Scholarship provides financial support of $5000 for university candidates aiming to teach French in primary and secondary schools. To be eligible, applicants must be American citizens or resident aliens, preferably enrolled in a School of Education and pursuing a Master in Teaching with a focus on French. Additionally, applicants need to maintain a GPA above 3.00, ensuring commitment to their educational goals.