There’s no shortage of innovative technology solutions that support strategies such as personalized learning and effective teaching strategies, but the cost can quickly become prohibitive. With tightening school budgets and personal spending accounts only going so far, what other funding sources are available for teachers?

Donor Programs

One possibility is to create a project through a donor program, such as DonorsChoose.org. This website allows the public to search for a project that they want to support through donations. Teachers create a page that describes their project, upload pictures, and set a goal. Each submission is vetted by staff to verify that the goal is fair and the project is well-explained. Donations are tax-deductible and because each project receives its own URL, it’s easy to share with others through social media or email. Over 75% of teachers reach their goal, and once funded, DonorsChoose.org takes care of ordering and shipping all the materials directly to the school. Before submitting your own project, we recommend browsing through some successful examples to get an idea of what works.

Grants

The other major source of funding for teachers is through grants. Many sites exist that search all currently offered grants for a particular topic or area. For example, grants.gov allows users to search by keyword and includes thousands of available grants. To find education-specific grants, sites such as Grants for Teachers or Get Ed Funding are good options as well. To apply for a grant, simply follow the instructions to create a proposal that describes why your classroom needs the funds and how they would be used. For tips on how to write a successful grant, check out these tips and resources. If you have a particular program you want to implement, their staff may also be willing to help you put together the proposal.

For more info on the Wowzers K-8 online math program, contact our team or try a free trial.