Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Washington

Nonprofits, schools, and public agencies in Washington ready to run an AmeriCorps program can seek operational funding to support service projects in areas like K-12 education, economic opportunity, disaster services, and healthy futures. Serve Washington’s New & Recompete AmeriCorps Operational Grant supports new programs or those renewing after a completed three-year cycle.

Existing AmeriCorps-funded education and youth programs in Washington can seek continuation funding to support ongoing K-12 and related community services. Serve Washington supports currently funded operational grants in years two or three of a three-year cycle; this opportunity is only for continuation grants, not new or recompeting applicants.

About Serve Washington

Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement to improve lives, expand opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington, and strengthen community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant

AmeriCorps Planning Grants provide initial funding to support current staff or to hire additional staff who can plan a proposed AmeriCorps program and develop systems for successful implementation of an AmeriCorps operational grant application. This is a great place to start if you are new to AmeriCorps! 

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act, emphasizes measuring the impact of service and focusing on a core set of issue areas. To carry out Congress’s intent, maximize the impact of investment in national service, and achieve the goals laid out in the Strategic Plan (2022-2026), AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas:

• Disaster Services: Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.
• Economic Opportunity: Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.
• Education: Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.
• Environmental Stewardship: Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.
• Healthy Futures: Support for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood obesity, especially in underserved communities.
• Veterans and Military Families: Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Funding

Awards for planning grants may not exceed $75,000

K-12 public schools and partners in Washington can seek funding for outdoor educational experiences, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $175,000. Grants from Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office help support experiential outdoor learning, STEAM activities, habitat restoration, field studies, and leadership and mentorship opportunities that enhance student engagement and academic success.

Washington K-12 education nonprofits and youth-serving organizations can seek funding for academic achievement, civic involvement, financial literacy, and students’ physical and emotional development. Banner Bank provides support for programs in Washington, with priority for low- and moderate-income populations, and also considers related efforts in housing stability, economic development, and financial education for youth and adults.

K-12 education nonprofits and school-related organizations in Washington can seek grants over US $2,500 for educational programs and student support. First Interstate Bank provides funding through the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation for 501(c)(3) entities, qualifying public organizations, or government units recommended by local branches, with awards based on community benefit and organizational strength.

K-12 education nonprofits in Washington and other eligible BECU service areas can apply for BECU Foundation’s People Helping People Awards, with grants up to Up to US $50,000 for community-focused programs. Funding supports work such as advancing education, basic needs, health, economic opportunity, and strengthening local communities, including school-based and youth-serving initiatives.

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations serving youth ages 6–18 in Washington can seek funding for athletics, culture, and education programs, including general operating support. Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes rural communities and initiatives that expand STEAM learning, cultural expression, college awareness, and access to diverse sports opportunities for K–12-age students in its five-state Western region.

K-12 schools, libraries, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Washington can receive up to US $10,000 for family literacy programs that include adult education, children’s education, and parent-child learning time. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations within 15 miles of a Dollar General store that are listed in the National Literacy Directory.

K-12 education nonprofits in Washington serving underserved, school-aged youth can seek multi-year or general operating support for long-term, transformative programs. Focused on mentoring, academic intervention, and college and career preparation, Silver Family Foundation offers US $15,000 - US $50,000 to organizations based in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho after completing an LOI process.

K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Washington can apply for $2,500 - $10,000 in youth and education funding from the Albertsons Companies Foundation. Focus areas include K-12 academic success, health and human services, hunger, veterans, and inclusion, with priority for programs serving communities near Safeway and Albertsons stores.

K-12 schools and local entities in Washington seeking to improve walking and biking safety near campuses can apply for infrastructure and safety projects within two miles of primary, middle, and high schools. Washington State Department of Transportation provides up to US $56,950,000 statewide to enhance student mobility, reduce traffic, and cut pollution around schools.

K–12 schools and local agencies in Washington seeking to improve student and community safety through walking and biking infrastructure can apply for the Pedestrian & Bicyclist Program, which offers up to US $49,380,000. Washington State Department of Transportation supports projects like sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, crossings, and speed management that enhance active transportation trips.

Ellison Education Grants

The Ellison Education Grants were created to empower and support Washington State’s most effective, innovative and inspirational K- 12 public school teachers. This is done by providing support to educators who design academic enrichment curriculum for students and or professional learning experiences for their current practice. The Ellison Foundation acknowledges a classroom teacher's expertise in understanding their own professional learning needs and the needs of their students. Since 2017 the Ellison Foundation has awarded 163 grants and over $800,000 to public-school educators in Washington State.

The Ellison Foundation wishes to award multiple grants in the Spring of 2027 for the 2027 – 2028 school year. Grant amounts range between $1,000 and $10,000.

With a mission to improve education and workforce outcomes, KeyBank Foundation provides Washington K-12 schools and education-focused nonprofits with grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Funding can support academic success, college and career preparation, financial literacy, and related programs that help students achieve strong educational and future employment outcomes.

Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants

Funds for this grant are available in two categories: physical education/physical activity and nutrition. The nutrition category includes but is not limited to, renovations or repairs, new purchases and improvements to cafeteria and kitchen equipment, and spaces, water bottle filling stations, garden-related structures, and greenhouses. Garden related and greenhouse projects must provide students access to fresh produce. The physical education and physical activity category includes, but is not limited to, physical education renovation, indoor or outdoor physical education equipment, playground equipment, covered play areas, related structures and renovations. Prior to applying, districts must consider their ability to sustain improvements over time. Districts receiving funding must also demonstrate a consistent commitment to addressing school facilities’ needs. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. No single district may receive more than $200,000.

Grant Process Key Points

• There is no district leveraged or matching funds requirement.
• Grants are for procurement of equipment, repair, and renovation of existing equipment or facilities, or design and construction of new facility space and infrastructure related to the categories listed above.
• In-house labor costs will not be reimbursed.
• For more information including scoring criteria, see Form Package 505.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment Grant

The Indoor Air Quality Assessment Grant grant will fund technical assistance from various state and local entities, as well as commercial experts, to help schools improve their HVAC and smart building systems. 

This grant will support technical assistance from state funded entities, such as OSPI, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health. It will also provide funding for technical assistance from other entities, such as local health jurisdiction school safety programs, the Smart Building Center’s K-12 ventilation and the indoor air quality resource team. Additionally, the grant will help cover the cost of hiring commercial experts who know how to troubleshoot modern HVAC or smart building systems. 

The Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program aims to empower local education agencies (LEAs) by funding initiatives that equip school staff to identify and respond to human trafficking signs. Collaborating with nonprofit partners, LEAs will provide students with essential knowledge on avoiding victimization and recognizing trafficking indicators. This program fosters a safer school environment by establishing reporting procedures and safety plans in consultation with local law enforcement, ultimately enhancing awareness and prevention of human trafficking in educational settings.

The Women Helping Women Fund is dedicated to empowering women and children in Spokane County through community-based programs. This responsive grant initiative supports organizations that align with their mission, ensuring that funds are utilized effectively to create stronger homes. Eligible agencies must hold 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate financial stability. The fund emphasizes philanthropy and aims to uplift the community, fostering a brighter future for those in need.

K–12 public, charter, and private schools in Washington can apply for School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network’s Principal Student Support Services Grant to expand on-campus mental health services for grades 6–12. Awards US $5,000 - US $25,000 plus a fully funded mental health professional for schools serving at least 500 students with high economic and behavioral need.

Washington K-12 science teachers who use or manage chemicals can seek funding to improve chemical safety in their classrooms and labs. Middle or high school educators in U.S. schools may request up to US $3,000 for safety training, PPE, professional development, safety infrastructure, or related substitutes and consulting through the American Chemical Society.

Full-time preK–12 classroom teachers in Washington and across the U.S. can apply for Fund For Teachers fellowships to design personalized professional learning experiences that enhance K–12 instruction. Eligible applicants have at least three years of teaching experience and plan to return to the classroom, making this a strong opportunity for school-based educator development.

K-12 teachers and educators in Washington can receive up to US $2,500 to run insect-focused science projects and programs for students. The Entomological Society of America’s Chrysalis Fund supports classroom and school-related activities, covering direct project costs such as supplies, services, travel for guests, and educator or expert compensation.

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 Woodworth Family Foundation Grant supports nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tacoma and Pierce County, focusing on education, youth services, health care, and human services. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, with no back-to-back funding in consecutive years. Applicants must submit an online Letter of Inquiry, with reviews completed within 60 days. The foundation aims to enhance community well-being through various targeted initiatives.

The NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) fosters innovative educational initiatives aimed at pre-college students, promoting their interest in STEM fields, especially in biomedical and behavioral sciences. This program supports both classroom projects and informal science education activities, such as after-school programs and library events. Emphasizing the development of quantitative and computational skills, SEPA seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and thinkers through engaging educational experiences.

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.