Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Virgin Islands

K–12 schools in the Virgin Islands and other eligible areas can receive US $3,500 to create or expand hands-on learning gardens that engage at least 10 students. Newmans Own Foundation’s Garden Grants, offered through Whole Foods Market, support outdoor spaces that connect kids with food, spark curiosity, and enhance classroom curriculum.

K–12 schools and education partners in the Virgin Islands can seek funding for STEM and biomedical science education projects, including classroom and informal learning. Focused on pre-K through grade 12, the NIH Science Education Partnership Award supports innovative programs that build students’ quantitative, computational, and behavioral science skills in both school and out-of-school settings.

Focused on higher-education mentorship in physical education and related fields, this award honors exemplary faculty role models in the Virgin Islands and other eligible locations. Full-time faculty at institutions of higher education who are SHAPE America members for at least three years may be nominated for their work preparing and advising future K-12 educators.

K-12 Catholic schools and dioceses in the Virgin Islands can develop promising school leaders through Catholic Extension’s Catholic School Leadership Development Grant. Focused on Catholic K-12 education, it funds most tuition plus travel for a one-year online certificate in Catholic school administration, preparing educators for mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership roles.

Virgin Islands K-12 schools with middle or high school science educators using or managing chemicals can access funding through the American Chemical Society to improve chemical safety. Grants up to US $3,000 support curriculum integration of safety, teacher training, PPE and lab safety materials, and upgrades to chemical storage, inventory, and waste management systems.

The AAUW Community Action Grants provide up to $75,000 to support nonprofits and educational institutions that empower girls in grades K–12 to succeed in STEM fields. By fostering hands-on learning, mentorship, and family involvement, these grants aim to build confidence and skills among girls, especially those from underrepresented communities. AAUW believes that immersive STEM environments and relatable role models can inspire lasting interest and help close the gender gap in leadership and careers.

K-12 school districts and education-focused nonprofits in the Virgin Islands can apply for The Auto Club Group Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $15,000 for traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, municipal entities, law enforcement, fire departments, first responders, and colleges and universities within the foundation’s service area.

Title I preK–12 classrooms in the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories can apply for National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day grants, awarding up to US $1,000 for in-park learning experiences. Funding may cover transportation, program fees, materials, and stewardship supplies for park-focused, student-driven educational projects.

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (84.041C) offers $19M in funding to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address urgent school facility needs. This initiative supports repairs, renovations, or replacements required to maintain safe educational environments. Grants cover projects that improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that facilities meet health standards. The program aims to enhance learning conditions by responding effectively to emergency situations.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on School Safety funding opportunity aims to support essential research and evaluations focused on enhancing K-12 safety. Key areas of interest include anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence and the establishment of threat assessment teams. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with educators and communities to develop effective solutions and assess the impact of various safety initiatives, thereby contributing valuable insights to school safety practices.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) invites transformative research proposals aimed at addressing critical challenges in special education. The FY 2027 focus is on developing innovative preservice teacher education solutions that enhance the recruitment, training, and retention of both general and special education teachers. This initiative aims to significantly improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities, fostering high-quality instruction and scalable solutions to benefit future educators.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is launching the From Seedlings to Scale (S2S) Grants program to foster innovative educational solutions. Focused on integrating evidence into policy and practice, the program invites Phase One applications under the Coordinating Systems to Translate Evidence into Policy and Practice (C-STEP) area. Projects must utilize AI and technology to enhance education systems, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices for improved outcomes for students from prekindergarten to grade 12.

K-12 health and physical education professionals in the Virgin Islands working in measurement and evaluation can be honored for outstanding contributions through this national recognition award. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help U.S. members of the Measurement and Evaluation SIG gain visibility, which may benefit educators and school-based programs serving preK-12 students.

K-12 health and physical education professionals with a strong research record in measurement and evaluation may be eligible for this national lifetime achievement recognition, including those in the Virgin Islands. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help honor SHAPE America members who have significantly advanced theory and scholarly application in school-based health and PE.

K-12 schools and educators in the Virgin Islands seeking support for girls’ and women’s sports programs can apply for this US $1,000 NAGWS Legacy Award. With a mission to advance health and physical education, Society of Health and Physical Educators funds projects like research, after-school programs, conferences, and leadership development for female participation in sport.

Virgin Islands K-12 education nonprofits and school-connected organizations can seek funding to support youth learning, workforce development, and basic needs programs that benefit students and families. OneAmerica Financial Foundation supports initiatives such as K-12 education programs, job readiness, and food and housing stability, with giving available nationwide and particular emphasis on key communities.

Graduate students in psychomotor measurement and evaluation at U.S. colleges and universities can receive support to cover professional expenses through the Measurement and Evaluation Graduate Student Award. Grants from SHAPE America help members of its Measurement and Evaluation SIG advance research and practice, which may benefit K-12 health and physical education programs, including those serving Virgin Islands schools.

The Luther Halsey Gulick Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes individuals with over ten years of membership who have made outstanding contributions to health and physical education. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a candidate selected for their exemplary leadership and service in the field. Nominations are carefully evaluated based on the candidate's impact on the profession and their ability to inspire future generations to lead healthy, active lives.

K-12 schools and youth-serving music programs in the Virgin Islands can seek support for bluegrass music education benefiting students 21 and younger. With a mission to advance bluegrass-related educational activities, IBMA Foundation provides flexible funding through the Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund, which may assist school-based instruction, workshops, camps, or other youth learning experiences.

Arnold Ventures

Overview

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Request for Proposals

Causal Research on the Impacts of K-12 School Policies 

The next several years present an important opportunity to shape the future of state K-12 education policy. States are making consequential decisions about curriculum, assessment, and accountability systems; school choice and governance policies; and teacher and leader workforce policies. High-quality research in these areas will help policymakers distinguish between reforms that are merely appealing and those that meaningfully improve student outcomes over the long term.

Through this request for proposals (RFP), Arnold Ventures seeks to support research studies that estimate the causal effects of actionable, politically viable U.S. K-12 education policies that can be influenced at the state level and have the potential to improve outcomes at scale. Competitive proposals should employ rigorous causal research methods and, where feasible, examine not only short-term educational outcomes but also longer-term impacts on postsecondary and/or labor market outcomes using administrative data. Given the pace of state policymaking, we place a high value on research that can inform decisions quickly and will give preference to studies that can be completed within 18 months of project kickoff and/or produce actionable findings by the end of 2028.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations can seek funding from the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund to support established, year-round educational programming. Although awards focus on select U.S. regions, K-12 school-related initiatives in the Virgin Islands may be eligible if they meet the fund’s mission and evidence requirements; awards are approximately US $77,000.

K–12 educators seeking agricultural literacy materials in the Virgin Islands can use this grant to purchase accurate ag resources for their classrooms. Grants from American Farm Bureau Federation help teachers across the U.S. access US $100 in AFBFA store credit for approved agricultural education resources to enhance student understanding of agriculture.

Virgin Islands 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. State and county Farm Bureaus apply competitively to start or expand reusable ag literacy projects that benefit grades K-12, including local schools they partner with.

K-12 teachers and youth educators in the Virgin Islands and across the U.S. can receive Chrysalis Fund grants to run insect science projects and classroom programs. Entomological Society of America funding up to US $2,500 can cover supplies, services, travel for guest speakers, and educator or expert time directly tied to the project.

Full-time preK–12 teachers designing their own professional learning experiences can apply for Fund For Teachers fellowships to deepen skills, knowledge, and leadership. Educators in the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska with at least three years’ classroom experience who plan to return to teaching may be eligible, including those serving K–12 schools in Virgin Islands.

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 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.