10 Ways to Fund Your Classroom Projects and Professional Development Dreams This Winter
It’s that time of year again. Our clocks have turned back, our days seem shorter, and the temperatures are starting to lower. Gatheredu2026
It’s that time of year again. Our clocks have turned back, our days seem shorter, and the temperatures are starting to lower. Gathered below is a list of some great funding opportunities to apply for this winter for your schools, your career, and your students. Warm up by the fire and start applying today!
Funding opportunities listed in order of deadline.
1. Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in Federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts. At the end of the Fellowship, educators are prepared to return home, equipped with access to a national network of education leaders and programs, a better understanding of the challenges and possibilities in STEM education, and a renewed passion for teaching, ready to make significant contributions to their schools and school districts.
Deadline: November 17
Maximum Grant: up to $1,300/month, plus travel, living, and education expenses.
2. California Casualty Academic Award
The California Casualty Academic Award was created to help defray costs that educators pay for classrooms and other instructional materials. The entry form is super simple and winners are selected by a random drawing.
Deadline: December 2
Maximum Grant: $2,500
Immerse yourself in a 7–14 day science learning and professional development experience in natural landscapes around the world. Support a critical conservation research project and help to solve key environmental challenges. A Teach Earth Fellowship includes the full cost of your assigned expedition, including meals, accommodations, and on-site transportation. Fellows also receive a travel award grant.
Deadline: December 18
Maximum Grant: Varies
4. Dollar General Literacy Grants
Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grants can be used to expand existing literacy programs, purchase new technology, or to purchase new books or materials for literacy programs.
Deadline: Information available in January
Maximum Grant: Varies
5. Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant
The International Literacy Association (ILA) Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant is an annual $2,500 award that honors an outstanding mainstream elementary classroom teacher dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of reading and writing. At least 60 percent of the school’s students must qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Deadline: January 15
Maximum Grant: $2,500
6. Captain Planet Foundation Grant
The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. Grants are made for project-based activities performed by you that have real environmental outcomes in the United States.
Deadline: January 31
Maximum Grant: $2,500
7. NEA Student Achievement Grant
The NEA Foundation provides NEA members with grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.
Deadline: February 1
Maximum Grant: $5,000
8. NEA Learning and Leadership Grants
Learning and Leadership grants support NEA members who are public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education. Educational grants are available to individuals to fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research. Additionally, grants are offered to groups to fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment.
Deadline: February 1
Maximum Grant: $5,000
9. Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grants
Each year, the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants program contributes more than $5 million to fund improvements at public schools in the United States. Projects should fall into one of the following categories: technology upgrades, tools for STEM programs, facility renovations and safety improvements.
Deadline: February 9
Maximum Grant: $100,000
10. DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and online donors can give any amount to the project that inspires them.
Deadline: N/A
Maximum Grant: No Maximum