Following is a list of sites that provide useful guidance about writing grant proposals.
- Differences Between Public and Private Sources of Funding
Advice and Information on Grant Seeking and Proposal Writing
This website provides an overview of the differences between public and private sources of funding. - Short Course in Proposal Writing
The Foundation Center
Free online course that breaks down components of a proposal including statement of need, project description, the budget, and the executive summary. - A Guide to Proposal Writing
National Science Foundation
Guide developed by the National Science Foundation provides guidelines for getting started and writing proposals. - Scholastic’s Grant Writing Seminar
Scholastic
Free online seminar course for educators that includes information on developing a needs assessment, the budget, project description and sample proposals. - Grant Writing Guide
Vernier
Guide for educators interested in grant writing. Includes formulating an idea, finding funding sources, writing the proposal, and following up with the grant. - “The Fundamentals of Funding: How to Identify, Write, and Submit Grants for School And Program Initiatives”
Edutopia
Webinar hosted by Edutopia in August 2007. Video archive and PowerPoint slides are available.
Local funding opportunities are often not heavily advertised. Information on local opportunities can be learned by contacting
- Community Foundations
- Local Clubs of Civic Organizations including: Rotary International, Lions Club International,The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and Altrusa International
- Local City & County Offices
Additionally, corporate donations are increasingly limited to the communities where their businesses are located. So contacting local corporate representatives about their social contributions programs can lead to funding opportunities.
There are state agencies in Illinois that provide a combination of formula grants and competitive grants. These opportunities tend to be focused on specific target areas related to the mission and purpose of the state agency. Many of these grants reoccur on a specific cycle. Below are links to to state agencies that provide funding that may be applicable to STEM program.
- Illinois Department of Agriculture
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunities (Search for Grant under “Assistance Type”)
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois State Board of Education
- American Honda Foundation: Educational Grants
- Application Deadlines: November 1, February 1, May 1, August 1, (limited to one request in a 12 month period)
- Purpose: Youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or elementary/secondary schools (in NCES)
- Funding Range: $20,000 – 75,000 over a one-year period
- Amgen Foundation: Grant Program
- Letter of Inquiry: Ongoing
- Purpose: To advance science education (focus biotech in health care industry)
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or 509(a) (including educational institutions)
- Historical Funding: Minimum $10,000
- Captain Planet Foundation: Educational Grants
- Application Deadlines: January 31st, September 30th
- Purpose: Provide hands on environmental stewardship activities for youth
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 including educational organizations
- Funding Range: $500-2,500
- LEGO Children’s Fund: Educational Grants
- Application Deadlines: January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15
- Purpose: Project grants that support technology and community project that advance learning opportunities
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 including educational organizations
- Funding Range: $500-5000
- Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin
- Application Period: Ongoing
- Purpose: K-16 STEM Education
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or public K-12 educational institution
- The NEA Foundation: Grants to Educators
- Application Deadlines: February 1, June 1, and October 15
- Purpose: Support ideas and practice to strengthen teaching and learning
- Eligibility: Any U.S. teacher, counselor, or education support professional employed in a public educational institution. Full time administrators, such as principals, assistant principles, and school district staff are not eligible.
- Funding Range: $2,000 – $5,000
- RGK Foundation: Grant Program
- Letter of Inquiry: Ongoing
- Purpose: Education, Community, and Health/Medicine
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or 509(a) (including educational institutions)
- Historical Funding: Average $25,000
- TG: Educational Grants
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Purpose: Retention/persistence in Postsecondary Education including transition programs and pre-college outreach
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or 509(a), Guidelines
- Historical Funding Range: Between $30,000 -$200,000
- Toshiba: Educational Grants under $5000
- Application Deadlines: Ongoing
- Purpose: Project based learning opportunities that engage students in science and mathematics
- Eligibility: Teachers in 6-12
- Funding Range: Less than $5000
- Toshiba: Educational Grants over $5000
- Application Deadlines: February 2st, August 1st
- Purpose: Project based learning opportunities that engage students in science and mathematics
- Eligibility: Teachers in 6-12
- Funding Range: $5000+
- Toyota USA: Toyota USA Foundation
- Application Period: Ongoing
- Purpose: K-12 Mathematics and Science Education
- Eligibility: 501(c)3
- Funding Range: $50,000-$200,000
- Wells Fargo: Chicagoland, Western Illinois, and other Areas in Illinois
- Application Period: Ongoing
- Purpose: Education, Human Services, Community Development, Artistic, Cultural, Civic and Environmental Programs
- Eligibility: Nonprofits
- William T. Grant Foundation: Research Grants
- Letter of Inquiry Deadline: August 5, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m. EST.
- Purpose: Research on youth (age 8-25) setting work – includes educational settings
- Eligibility: 501(c)3 or 509(a)
- Funding Range: $100,000 – 600,000 over two to three years
I-STEM Educational Initiative
The I-STEM Educational Initiative maintains a list of external funding opportunities for P-16 STEM Educational Outreach and STEM Teacher Training & Development. I-STEM is a University of Illinois coalition that “works with internal and external partners to evaluate STEM education programs, provide news coverage of STEM initiatives and events, to facilitate the development of education and outreach programs, and to help develop policies in Illinois and nationally that promote STEM education. Subscribers to the I-STEM listserv receive information about upcoming STEM educational opportunities including funding opportunities.