Funding Needs

• The quality of students' educations may depend on the amount their state and district spend on each student.student image by Petro Feketa from Fotolia.com
  
  The federal government provides about 8 percent of funding for public schools, states contribute up to 50 percent of necessary funds, and 8 percent comes from local communities. Because state legislators and voters must provide up to 92 percent of the total school budgets, it's not surprising that funding levels and systems differ widely across the country. For example, New York reports spending $15,981 per pupil, while Utah spends only $5,683. These figures, from the US Census Bureau's 2009 report on education spending, underscore that public schools students across the United States do not receive equivalent educational opportunities. Competing for community grants is one way for schools to supplement their government funding and increase student experiences and teacher training.
  
  

Function

• Community grants help schools continue fine arts programs like music.play violin string instrument image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
  
  Community grants for schools may be used in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of an area and the requirements of the grant maker. This kind of funding can have a big impact on the per-pupil spending rate and on student and teacher morale. Grants also enable schools to keep or restore staff positions and programs that are often the first to go when education budgets get tight, such as art, music and advanced placement classes.
  
  

Uses

• Creating partnerships with businesses enables schools to acquire new and better equipment.microscope image by guy from Fotolia.com
  
  Given the competitive nature of community grants, schools must optimize resources toward pursuing grants that will benefit the most students. Grant funds routinely provide technology equipment and instruction, fine arts opportunities (art, music), extracurricular activities (clubs, sports) and social activities. Awards may also help address budget deficits that would result in fewer teachers and higher student-teacher ratios.
  
  Many funders provide grants related to their businesses. For example, a pharmaceutical company might give money to a school to help purchase new lab equipment, while an athletic shoe manufacturer may award grants related to physical education or school sports.
  
  Some grants are unrestricted, meaning that the school can use the funds however they see fit.
  
  

Funding Sources

• City and county agencies are good sources of community grants for schools.city hall nameplate image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
  
  Communities and the businesses that operate in them can provide substantial grant opportunities for schools. Municipal governments may have access to funds through budget surpluses or from grants provided to them by the state or federal government to pass on to schools in communities.
  
  Community groups and businesses also provide grants to schools as part of their own charitable work in the community.
  
  

Grants Process

• Applying for grants may seem daunting, but successful proposals can make a difference in education opportunities.file image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Most organizations and agencies that provide grants will directly contact schools in their communities. However, some municipal and business grants are awarded after a competitive process. In such cases, schools must submit written proposals describing their need and intended use of grant money. Frequently, winning a competitive grant requires that the school provide periodic updates on how the funds are being used.
  
  Many funders, including the federal government and many corporations, publish their grant opportunities on their websites and in publications geared toward school administrators and teachers.