How to Choose the Right K-12 Grant
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As school budgets shrink and academic needs grow, grant funds are more critical now than ever. As you explore countless grants available for K-12 educational needs, the following tips will guide you in selecting the right grant opportunity for your district:
The most common types of K-12 grants are Competitive, Formula, and Private.
Competitive grants are awarded based on how well a school’s proposal aligns with the grant goals. Because competitive grants are limited — and highly selective — districts will need to get creative to make their application stand out.
As an example, here’s what the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) typically requires in a competitive grant proposal:
Formula grants provide funding to schools based on specific criteria, such as student enrollment, poverty levels, and district financial need. These funds are allocated to eligible schools according to state formulas.
Title I grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) are prime examples of federal formula grants geared towards districts with low-income populations.
Private grants may come from foundations, nonprofits, corporations, or individual donors. These usually have more spending flexibility and fewer requirements than other types of K-12 grants, though they may not be as lucrative. Examples of private grants include:
The right grant for your school district depends on numerous factors; for most schools, a balanced approach is best. Formula grants give schools stability with ongoing funds, federal grants cover large-scale initiatives, and competitive grants are ideal for niche projects.
Identify your school’s challenges, the resources required to solve them, and how you’ll target grants that match your goals.
Your school's needs might include:
Focus on both immediate and future goals. For instance, if your school struggles with outdated technology but plans to launch more extracurricular or STEM programs in a few years, highlight both.
Early involvement from stakeholders helps pave the path for a smooth project approval when the official application process begins. Engaged stakeholders are also more likely to stay invested and become valuable advocates.
Use these 3 steps as a foundation for stakeholder cooperation:
K-12 Funding: Grant Application Guide
Download the complete K-12 Grant Application Guide for tips on creating a strong application, demonstrating need, finding grant writing resources, and more.
Download the guideEvery grant has its own set of requirements, eligible expenses, and expected outcomes. Review them carefully to avoid investing time in grants your school may not qualify for.
“Reviewers will evaluate your proposal with a form that lists the agency’s criteria and leaves space for us to comment on how well your project fits each measure,” says Jude Mikal, a grant writer and consultant at the University of Minnesota.
“You can make it easier for reviewers to complete the form and advocate for your proposal by organizing your project description around the agency criteria, spotlighting each one in a bold heading.”
As you evaluate the criteria, start outlining the main points of your proposal. Utilize any application assistance on grant sites. Keep an eye out for:
Now it’s time to shortlist grants that match your focus areas. Grant reviewers want to understand how your needs match grant objectives.
Be specific about the impact this funding will have. Instead of saying a computer lab will simply “improve learning,” explain how it will equip students with digital literacy skills, career-readiness, and equitable learning.
Example A: Infrastructure
Example B: Safety & Security
Example C: Mental Health
Whether you’re looking for federal grants, local community support, or crowdfunding options, use these resources to help find the best K-12 grants for your needs.
Lastly, visit your state and local education websites for resources relevant to your region.
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