Grant Opportunities for Educators (April deadlines)
In an effort to make grant opportunities I know about available to more than just who I know, personally, please see the educator grant opportunities (from NEEF) below. The word "grant" is intimidating, but often these grants are quite easy to apply for. Don't let the fear of bureaucracy stop you from at least skimming over what's required. Many times you'll find that there are very few applicants, giving you a good chance of getting the funding. (Recently, after I'd already been informed that they had not awarded us their shade structure grant, I got an email from the American Academy of Dermatology that they would, in fact, be able to fund the project. This kind of thing has happened more than once.)
If you have any questions about a grant or would like another pair of eyes on it before you submit it, email me at melissarooneywriting@gmail.com, noting that I do miss emails from time to time. (Heck, who am I kidding? I miss emails all the time, so you may have to nudge me a second (or third) time, depending on how busy my schedule is).
On the local front, I have found Durham Public Schools' current Sustainability Project Manager to be accessible, helpful and sincere in his mission - if you live/teach in Durham, don't hesitate to contact him either (I'm happy to put you in touch).
(Note: If your principal isn't amenable to a worthwhile, student-centered project you'd like to do, contact a school board member or your local PTA council. It is very important to ensure our principals are truly community and student focussed, even if it means ruffling a few feathers.)
Here are the NEEF grants (note April deadlines):
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation: Academic Enrichment Grants
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The grant is open to educators in amounts up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of $30,000 over three years.
Submissions accepted through April 15 or when 350 submissions are reached.
Rooted in Justice will support organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically and/or presently experience a lack of access to land or nature, agricultural oppression and/or neglect, food apartheid, and/or other forms of injustice. The Cedar Tree Foundation strongly encourages groups and organizations from the Deep South to apply.
Proposals are due Friday, April 8, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. ET.
Project Green Schools is challenging schools across the country to develop and implement a meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space. The challenge will award one Grand Prize of $10,000 to enhance an existing space or build a new space.
Applications are due Friday, April 8, 2022.
And here are grants I've written that have been awarded and implemented at various DPS schools:
American Academy of Dermatology Shade grant: https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants.
Durham County Open Space Matching Grants (if awarded, Durham County Open Space will match funding from other grants/sources): https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/engineering-and-environmental-services/durham-county-open-space-matching-grants-program. Here's an article I wrote about a project completed in this way: ThanksDurham.html
NC Beautiful grants (up to $1000 for environmental education/school beautification via vegetation): https://ncbeautiful.org/programs/.
WRAL/NC Beautiful Azalea Celebration (they will provide heaps of azalea's for your group to plant on campus): https://ncbeautiful.org/azalea-celebration/.
Durham Soil and Water Conservation District's Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP provides funding (and assistance) for installing rain-collecting cisterns (a MUST if you are planting vegetable gardens at your school), rain gardens, and similar projects to be installed on school campuses. You should definitely call them if you have flooding or erosion issues on your school campus: https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/soil-water-conservation-district/community-conservation-assistance-program.
It is also worth checking with the Durham Public Schools Foundation from time to time. Their (often incredibly easy) grants are distributed rapidly to Durham Public Schools that apply: https://www.bullcityschools.org/school-grants.
And the Durham Hub Farm provides free programs supporting school (and home) gardens and environmental education. Just a couple weeks ago, they *gave away* beautiful Spring vegetable plants (6 per attendee) and freshly packaged seeds (6 per attendee) to anyone who came by at the appointed time. I took home bok choy, broccoli, two types of lettuce (which practically glowed with health), collards, and cilantro (last one); plus, I took home enough seeds to plant two sizable backyard gardens. Here's the link for the Hub Farm: https://www.thehubfarm.org.
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