Grant Development
Grant Development
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Welcome!
Grant Development for PPS lives within the Strategic Partnerships Department, which serves as a bridge between PPS and the philanthropic and business community. This team collaborates with stakeholders district wide to secure resources for programs, schools, teachers and students. We provide guidance to the PPS educational community for designing competitive applications to federal, state, foundation and corporate entities.
Regarding Grants
Applying for and managing large grant awards is complicated and time consuming. Before an application is submitted it is important for key stakeholders to consider multiple factors including:
- is PPS eligible for the grant opportunity and would a PPS application be competitive?
- do the grant program and proposed activities align with the strategic plan?
- do schools and/or program teams have the capacity to implement the proposed project?
- will the grant-supported work be sustainable after the grant ends?
With adequate lead time, Strategic Partnerships can advise and collaborate with departments on preparing and submitting grant applications to federal and state agencies and private foundations. Many grant programs release a “request for applications” only a few weeks or a month before applications are due. It is best practice to research large grant opportunities on an ongoing basis and track when they are forecasted to be released. Strategic Partnerships assists with this “prospecting” function, and endeavors to have a minimum of six weeks, and preferably three months to support the development of large federal, state or foundation grants. Additionally, Budget and Grant Accounting, Research, Assessment and Accountability, and other departments that help with grant applications need adequate time to perform their important functions for grant applications.
Please note that it is the responsibility of program staff with specialized expertise to develop the substantive program design, detailed workplans, timelines and compelling narrative elements required by most federal agencies and national philanthropic entities. Strategic Partnerships plays a support role.
Thinking of Applying for a Grant?
Small grants (under $10,000) based at a single school usually are placed in the Cash Contributions S Grant. If you have questions about grant applications to support a single school please contact Nailah Roque, School Partnerships Manager (nroque@pps.net).
For grants larger than $10,000, please contact Tullan Spitz, Senior Manager of Stewardship & Donor Relations (tspitz@pps.net).Grant applications larger than $25,000 will need an executive sponsor at the Chief level. Securing Chief level support is the responsibility of the Department Director or ASD.
While smaller grant offerings for individual schools and classrooms are often available nationally, making them "longshots," here are a few to consider. Please visit again for quarterly updates.
Small Grant Opportunities
for PPS Schools & Teachers
Arts Education Grants
Books & Library Grants
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American Association of School Librarians Awards & Grants Webpage
Various - Ongoing
The American Association of School Librarians has a webpage with links to applications for awards and grants.
Facilities & Garden Grants
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Walmart Community Grants Application
$250 to $2500 - Ongoing
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Home Depot’s Community Impact Grants for School Repairs
$5,000 - Ongoing
Schools may apply for up to $5,000 in Home Depot gift cards for volunteer projects aimed at school repairs, renovations, ADA accessibility, or weatherizing. Complete the “Government Funded Organizations” application online. The grant opportunity will close once 1,000 applications are received.
Field Trip Grants
Miscellaneous Grants
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Northwest Community Credit Union
Ongoing
NWCU's community relations team prioritiz youth education and development. Supporting partners and opportunities focused in pre-K – 12th grade education with an emphasis on high quality learning experiences for youth and financial literacy.
STEM/Technology Grants
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Support Available for Fluid Power Instruction
$500 - Ongoing
Middle and high schools are invited to apply for $500/year to facilitate hydraulic and pneumatics instruction. Funds may be used to purchase fluid power kits for classroom use or for participation in the Fluid Power Action Challenge Event.
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Toshiba America Foundation's STEM Grants
$5,000 - October 1st
The Toshiba America Foundation is accepting applications from teachers with well-articulated plans for innovative, hands-on projects in math and/or science. Examples of funded projects range from structural engineering challenges to citizen science weather data collection, to the real-life observation of the development and hatching of a baby chick. Toshiba does not fund technology purchases. The process is competitive, with about 12 awards each year. K-12 teachers apply by October 1.