Funding+Sources

=Place-based education funding sources =  This is a working, flexible list of the sources of funding we have come across in our research for PBE programs. We have found that the key to funding is often thinking out side of the box and finding funding from unusual avenues (like the city water department).

National
Many U.S. government foundations and agencies make grants for educational programs related to their core mission. Here is a list of some of the ones that could be applicable for place-based education, depending on the focus of the program.
 * The National Science Foundation (NSF) has programs such as the [|Academies for Young Scientists] which funds research on "learning in formal and informal settings." Depending on the type of project being proposed, some of the NSF's other funding programs targeted at K-12 education might also be applicable. [|Click here for a list of these programs.]
 * The [|National Oceans and Atmosphere Association (NOAA) Office of Education] [|awards grants] for programs such as K-12 environmental literacy and regional watershed education and training for which many environmentally-focused PBE programs might be eligible.
 * The National Institute of Health (NIH) awards grants on some health-related topics for K-12 programs. Current funding opportunities can be identified by searching for the code R25 and the term "K-12" on [|this page].
 * The National Air and Space Administration (NASA) lists [|educational funding opportunities] on their website, a few of which overlap with NOAA, but many of which are unique to NASA and some of which may be applicable for PBE.
 * The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funds several [|education-related] and [|public programs], including such programs as the Picturing America School Collaboration Project, which calls for projects that encourage K-12 involvement, "with the rich resources of American art to tell America's story."
 * The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) makes grants under [|several education-related programs], including such topics as "Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth -- To advance arts education for children and youth in school-based or community-based settings."
 * The Corporation for National and Community Service makes grants for several education and community-based programs that encourage [|citizenship, service, and responsibility]. At the time of writing, the [|open funding opportunities] are for programs involving AmeriCorps volunteers.
 * The U.S. Department for Education makes grants for a variety of [|education programs], some of which might be applicable for certain PBE programs. Open grants are listed [|here].
 * The U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds [|afterschool and mentoring programs] that help guide youth away from criminal activities.
 * The U.S. Department of Labor offers information and some funding to support [|apprenticeship programs], which could be an element of a PBE program.
 * The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds [|faith and community-based programs] which may be relevant for PBE.

State

 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Funding for PBE is sometimes provided through state education initiatives (e.g.) Alaska. To advocate for such initiatives in your state, consider contacting your representatives and your state board of education.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Local

 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Marin county teachers were granted funding for bird-focused PBE programs from their local Municipal Water District and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. Think outside the box on what local agencies might have available funds and an interest in your proposed PBE program!

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">National

 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">American Express Philanthropy funds projects under three <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"> themes, all of which could be relevant to PBE initiatives: Cultural Heritage, Leadership, and Community Service. Information on applying for funding is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Bank of America Foundation funds projects focused on [|local needs and building neighborhoods]. Information on grant eligibility is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation accepts unsolicited applications for [|grants to increase academic success through school / community collaborations] in Pacific-Northwest communities (Washington State or metro Portland areas).
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Cargill Foundation accepts applications for [|educational initiatives] focused on metropolitan Minneapolis.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation recently announced an opportunity for grants from its [|Social Innovation Fund], which will focus on proven programs which serve low-income young people.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Ford Foundation funds grants to organizations focused on [|reforming secondary education] in New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Denver.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation funds grants focused on education and place-based initiatives, especially focused in New Jersey. More information on their programs is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The PepsiCo Foundation accepts unsolicited letters of interest for grants less than $100,000 focused on education. Information on applying is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Progress Energy Foundation accepts unsolicited applications for grants less than $100,000 focused on education issues in Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina. Information on applying is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Verizon Foundation accepts applications for grants to education-focused programs. Application guidelines are [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Walton Family Foundation accepts unsolicited applications for [|public charter school startup grants], targeting specific regions include Detroit.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports grants for [|education] and [|community engagement]. Application information is [|here].
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The National Geographic Education Foundation funds grants to improve geography education, provide teachers with professional development, and engage students in experiential, hands-on learning. More information is [|here].