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Education and Training
Sources of Funding for Education

Funding information available includes—

Federal Agencies

Budget Office of the U.S. Department of Education
The Department of Education's budget office provides the latest news on the funding of the U.S. Department of Education programs, including congressional action on appropriations. Its site provides, among other information, a table that shows appropriations for the last few fiscal years, alongside the president's education budget request.

e-Scholar
This Web site provides information for students (in high school and above), parents, and career professionals on different educational opportunities offered by federal government departments and agencies or partnering organizations. This site contains links to information on cooperative programs (work-study programs that provide on-the-job training), fellowships, grants, internships, and scholarships. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that "the site features about $400-million in scholarships." The site was created by the United States Office of Personnel Management.

ED Grants Forecast
Current and projected grant offerings from the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Business Commons
The Federal Commons Web site lets users search most federal agencies to locate potential sources of funding for education programs and other areas.

Funding for After School and Youth Development Programs
The afterschool.gov database contains information about more than 100 sources of federal funding for after-school and youth development programs. Searching the database provides a summary of each program and a link to details about each funding source.

National Science Foundation
The NSF includes grant and program information from the Division of Undergraduate Education, which serves university, college, and K-12.

Rural Assistance from the U.S. Department of Education
To assist rural school districts in using federal resources, the Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has released guidelines on the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). REAP consists of two initiatives: the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program (including REAP-Flex) and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program. SRSA provides formula grants directly to eligible school districts for a wide range of local activities and provides districts with greater flexibility in using Title I and other formula grant funds that they receive under certain state-administered federal programs. RLIS awards similar formula grants to states, which in turn make grants to eligible districts either competitively or by formula. Districts eligible under the SRSA program may not receive funding under the RLIS program. More information about rural assistance is available from the Department of Education.

USDA Higher Education Programs
Program descriptions and grant offerings from college and university programs.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD awards grants to organizations and groups for a variety of purposes—including university and college programs such as Community Outreach Partnership Centers, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and Youthbuild—to assist disadvantaged young adults in distressed communities in completing their high school education; to provide on-site construction training experience that also results in the rehabilitation or construction of housing for homeless persons and low- and very-low-income families; to foster leadership skills; to further opportunities for placement in apprenticeship programs; and to promote economic self-sufficiency. The HUD grants page offers funding announcements and instructions about applying for grants.

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Foundations and Organizations That Target Appalachia

Appalachian Education Initiative
The Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI) is a charitable foundation that fosters and encourages education in Central Appalachia by funding academic programs in public schools and community programs that enhance "arts in education." AEI helps develop programs that will place fine arts education in the Region on equal footing with that in other parts of the country. AEI works to ensure the arts are included in education for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve; to expand opportunities for children and adults to participate in and to increase their understanding of the arts; and to provide professional development opportunities for arts professionals and teachers.

Blue Grass Community Foundation
Grants from the foundation go to 501(c)(3) agencies in central and eastern Kentucky. Grants seldom exceed $3,000. The grant review process starts with a letter of inquiry, a one-page letter that states the purpose of the agency, the project for which funding is sought, and the amount requested. Grants support projects such as early childhood education, concerns of the aging, the environment, and the arts. Scholarship Funds give awards to students from a particular high school or geographic area or who are studying in a specific discipline.

Phil Hardin Foundation
This foundation funds programs in Mississippi, particularly those focusing on education youth services.

Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
This foundation funds programs in Georgia, particularly those focusing in the arts, civics, health, education, the environment, social service, and economic development.

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Organizations That Maintain Lists of Funding Sources

The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Program (EZ/EC)
Sources of funding and other information for organizations located in designated EZ/EC areas.

Grantmakers for Education
Sources of funding for schools and educational groups.

NetDay Compass
Sources of funding for schools, particularly related to technology issues such as Internet access and acquiring hardware and software.

Society of Research Administrators
Sources of funding for researchers and research organizations. Funding lists include foundations, nonprofit centers, charities, government agencies, and others.

South East Initiatives Regional Technology in Education Consortium
Sources of funding for schools, particularly in the area of technology. The site also includes information and tips about how to apply for a grant and how to write a proposal.

TechLEARNING
Sources of funding for schools, particularly in the area of technology. This site also includes tips and articles for teachers, administrators, and technology coordinators.

Triangle Coalition
Sources of funding for math, science, and technology education programs. (Please note that membership is required to access funding information.)

Wired Scholar
This site contains a database of scholarship information for students.

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Other Foundations and Organizations

These organizations regularly make grants in education, training, and/or youth services.

Abney Foundation
The Abney Foundation makes grants for innovative and creative projects, and to programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of education, health, social service, and cultural affairs. The foundation's primary focus is higher education. Agencies applying for funds should serve the citizens of South Carolina. The foundation endows scholarships at 12 colleges and universities in South Carolina. The site includes grant application guidelines.

American Association of Community Colleges
The association lists both AACC-funded grants and grants available from other funding sources. The list is updated biweekly to ensure timely information. The site includes contact information and links to grant application documents.

American Express Philanthropy
The American Express site lists three grant funding priorities: community service, cultural heritage, and economic independence. Funding priorities include cities where many American Express employees work and grants that support efforts of American Express employees who volunteer. The site includes a "How to Apply" page with instructions for applicants.

Barbara Bush Family Literacy
The Barbara Bush Foundation's national grant program aims to develop and expand family literacy efforts nationwide, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers. The foundation awards about $500,000 each year; no grant exceeds $50,000. To be considered, programs must include all of the following components: reading instruction for parents or primary caregivers (pre-GED/GED/ESL, etc.); literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children; and intergenerational activities where the parents/primary caregivers and children come together to learn and to read. Programs can also include additional components such as parent support groups, parent involvement, home visits, job training, and the like.

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BellSouth Foundation
The BellSouth Foundation's mission is "to improve education in the South and other communities where BellSouth operates by stimulating fundamental change in education institutions and systems that will result in active learning and improved life chances for all students." The foundation will invest the majority of its grantmaking funds for 2001-2005 in special initiatives through a targeted request-for-proposal process. Check the foundation's Web site for current initiatives. A limited number of "opportunity grants" are available for unsolicited proposals. The site includes an extensive "Grant Guidelines" section.

Charles Lafitte Foundation Grants Focus On Education, Children, Medical Issues, and the Arts
The mission of the Charles Lafitte Foundation is to provide for and support inventive and effective ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to lead healthy, satisfying, and enriched lives. Four distinct charitable programs are offered focusing on education, children's advocacy, medical issues and research, and the arts. Applications are accepted throughout the year from nonprofit organizations across the country. Visit the Charles Lafitte Foundation for more information.

Foundation for Rural Education and Development
The foundation promotes activities that improve rural educational, social, and economic conditions. The foundation awards over $180,000 in scholarships and grants each year to rural students, residents, and communities.

Gates Millennium Scholars
Gates Millennium Scholars provides African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in all discipline areas, and a graduate education for students pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science. The site includes application information. Applicants must be eligible for federal Pell Grants.

Grants from the Teammates for Kids Foundation
The Teammates for Kids Foundation accepts proposals for grants from nonprofit organizations that specialize in working with children. Grants from the Foundation support the ongoing work of operating organizations that help needy children in the areas of health, education, and inner-city services. The Foundation's giving cycle is semi-annual.

Hasbro Children's Foundation
The Hasbro Children's Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children age 12 and younger through the support of innovative, model direct service programs in the areas of health, education, and social services. The foundation awards grants only to tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations. The foundation also funds universally accessible play spaces; however, the majority of funds should come from local resources. Ongoing maintenance of the playground must be provided and funded.

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Hazen Foundation
The Hazen Foundation's grantmaking priorities focus on public school reform and youth leadership development. Applications in the area of public education should center on community and parent organizing initiatives that foster educational equity and improved student achievement. To enhance the development of a new generation of grassroots leaders, programs "should focus on youth organizing and leadership development initiatives that help middle- and high-school-age youth develop the interest and skills necessary to become involved in meaningful social change efforts."

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation supports community-based, grassroots organizations that address the issues of concern to local communities the company serves. The Foundation primarily provides support for education initiatives and community improvement projects, including projects at parks and other public areas, housing for the underprivileged, and innovative environmental initiatives. Applications may be submitted throughout the year though the Foundation's Web site.

Network Associates Community Relations Giving Program Targets Youth Literacy
The Network Associates Community Relations Program is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that support children, youth, and education. Organizations whose operations or projects are located in relative proximity to Network Associates' offices may be given priority when competing for funding. The company is looking for opportunities to develop and disseminate quality programs, adapt and pilot proven programs for local use, encourage the development of alternatives to traditional solutions, foster collaborative efforts among public and private institutions, and contribute to the development of sound public policy. Funding requests are reviewed year round.

Fundraising Help for School Principals and Other School Leaders
The January 2003 edition (Vol. 3, No. 5) of Principal Leadership magazine featured an article called "A Bigger Piece of the Pie," which includes practical help for principals to improve their fundraising efforts. Included in this piece are tips for writing grant proposals and creating fundraising strategies. Principal Leadership magazine focuses on school leaders' needs, offering practical, hands-on strategies for improving their schools in a constantly evolving educational environment.

Paul G. Allen Virtual Education Foundation
The Foundation supports innovative uses of technology in K-12 schools focused on transforming their educational practices. The Foundation works with schools that are employing technology in new ways to advance learning, support teachers, and improve educational outcomes. The Foundation also supports evaluation and research designed to identify, understand and disseminate information about effective uses of technology in K-12 schools. Projects that will help connect cognitive research to classroom applications are of particular interest.

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