Help is out there: Have a field trip you long to share with your students? Books for the library that you could purchase with a few extra dollars? A summer course that could change how you teach a subject? There’s grant money out there for you to make your teaching dreams a reality.
Get the timing right: From now through the end of summer 2027, Idaho educators can apply for dozens of grants from the National Education Association, national foundations and Idaho organizations.
• Some are available now, and some accept applications year-round.
Why it matters: Tight school budgets shouldn’t keep great ideas out of your classroom. Many of these grants are meant specifically for K-12 educators.
The fine print: Deadlines can change, so always confirm the dates on the grant’s website before starting your application.
Open Now/Accepting Applications Year-Round
Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grant Awards: This fund gives educators the resources to reflect on what’s missing in their students’ learning experiences and then empowers them to pursue content or skills to fill in those gaps. Fellowships take place over the summer.
• Open to: Full-time PreK-12 educators who spend at least half their time teaching students and will have at least three years of teaching experience by the end of the school year.
• Award size: Grants are self-designed by educators. Awardees receive up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for teams.
• Deadline: The 2027 application is open now and closes Jan. 21, 2027, at 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
• Website: fundforteachers.org
Idaho Humanities Council K-12 Grants: These grants help fund a huge range of projects, such as lesson plans, curriculum development, books and supplies, conference costs, consulting, field trips and more.
• Open to: Individual teachers or schools in Idaho, or nonprofits proposing projects focused on Idaho K-12 educators.
• Award size: Up to $500.
• Deadline: Applications are reviewed on the first of each month, and decisions are typically sent within two weeks.
• Website: idahohumanities.org/grants
Toshiba America Foundation Grants for Grades 6-12: The foundation supports teacher-designed, project-based STEM learning.
• Open to: STEM educators who teach grades 6-12.
• Award size: Up to $5,000, with larger grants also available.
• Deadline: Requests of up to $5,000 are accepted on a rolling basis. Requests of more than $5,000 are due June 1, 2027. (K-5 educators: Toshiba’s grants of up to $1,000 are due on Oct. 1 of each year.)
• Website: www.toshiba.com/taf
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Grants: These grants provide musical instruments to underfunded music programs at schools nationwide.
• Open to: Public schools (including public charter schools) where at least 65% of the student population is economically disadvantaged. Schools must have an established music program that has run for at least two years and a music teacher who has taught there for at least two consecutive years. Grants are made to individual schools, not districts, and the music teacher applies.
• Award size: Determined by the foundation. Grants are provided in the form of instruments and equipment rather than cash.
• Deadline: Ongoing. Schools must meet the foundation’s criteria and apply online.
• Website: mhopus.org/instrument-grants
State Farm Foundation Grants: These grants support safety, community development and education.
• Open to: Educational institutions, government entities and nonprofits. Funding is by invitation only; if you haven’t received an invite, you can submit a support request form online to be considered.
• Award size: Varies by grant.
• Deadline: Ongoing, but the support request form can be submitted at any time.
• Website: www.statefarm.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/community-grants
WinCo Foods Grants: Available to pay for school fundraisers.
• Open to: State-accredited schools located in communities with WinCo stores. The fundraiser must take place while school is in session.
• Award size: Varies.
• Deadline: You must submit your request at least four — but no more than six — weeks before the fundraiser.
• Website: apps.wincofoods.com/community-support/
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation: RMPF grants focus on five areas, each with its own deadline, so there’s always another cycle coming up.
• Open to: Nonprofit organizations, including schools, in communities served by Rocky Mountain Power (mostly southeastern Idaho).
• Award size: Generally between $2,000-$5,000.
• Deadlines: Dec. 15, 2026, safety and wellness; March 15, 2027, education/STEM; June 15, 2027, community enhancement and environmental respect; Sept. 15, 2027, arts and culture.
• Website: www.rockymountainpower.net/community/foundation.html
Winter 2026/2027
NEA Global Learning Fellowship: This fellowship helps public school educators develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their daily classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. The yearlong program ends with an international field study.
• Open to: K-12 public school educators
• Award size: Difficult to put an exact price on the ongoing workshops, webinars and support — as well as the trip overseas. The 2027 fellows will head to Peru.
• Deadline: The application for the 2027-28 cohort opens in January 2027, and the foundation will notify applicants by email in August 2027.
• Did you know?: Four IEA members traveled to Mozambique in 2024 as part of this program.
• Website: neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Academic Enrichment Grants
These grants help develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students' knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them, with a focus on nurturing the intellectual, artistic and creative abilities of children from low-income households.
• Open to: Educators who are employed by schools or nonprofits and work directly with PK-12 students from low-income households.
• Award size: Up to $10,000 per year for two years.
• Deadline: The application period runs Jan. 15 to April 15, 2027, or until the foundation receives 200 applications — so apply early.
• Website: mccartheydressman.org/academic-enrichment-grants
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grants
These grants provide funding to individuals or small teams of teachers in the formation and implementation of groundbreaking K-12 classroom instruction.
• Open to: Licensed K-12 teachers in public or private schools.
• Award size: Up to $10,000 per year for two years.
• Deadline: The application period runs Jan. 15 to April 15, 2027, or until the foundation receives 200 applications — so apply early.
• Website: mccartheydressman.org/teacher-development-grants
Idaho National Laboratory K-12 Education Grants (Idaho): This program seeks to align future workforce needs with STEM education in Idaho.
• Open to: Idaho K-12 teachers, administrators, educator teams, informal educators and community organizations, depending on the grant.
• Award size: Classroom Grants of up to $2,000; Family and Community Engagement Grants of up to $500; and two $15,000 grants — the Gov. C.L. "Butch" and First Lady Lori Otter INL/BEA STEM Impact Grant for educator teams and the Innovation in STEM Grant for informal educators.
• Deadline: The 2027 grants open in January 2027; check the website for the closing date.
• Website: inl.gov/inl-initiatives/partnering-with-inl/k-12-stem/k-12-education-grants
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Grants: These grants support summer reading programs for PK-12 students who are new readers, reading below grade level or have learning disabilities.
• Open to: Schools, public libraries and local nonprofit organizations.
• Award size: Up to $3,000
• Deadline: The application opens in January 2027; check the website for the closing date.
• Website: www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs
Idaho Community Foundation Grants: ICF offers more than 15 programs, many of which are designed to benefit students. The Idaho Future Fund supports educational programs from preschool through 12th grade, including public schools, charter schools and libraries.
• Open to: Eligibility varies by program; many are limited to specific regions or counties.
• Award size: Idaho Future Fund grants typically range from $10,000 to $20,000.
• Deadline: The Idaho Future Fund deadline is March 1, 2027. Other ICF programs have their own deadlines throughout the year.
• Website: www.idahocf.org/grants-scholarships.php#scroll_grants
California Casualty Athletic Grants: Receive funds for athletics programs through this IEA Member Benefits partner.
• Open to: K-12 public schools whose sports programs have been affected by reduced budgets. Applicants must be school employees and members of a participating education association, such as IEA.
• Award size: $1,000
• Deadline: Applications received by Jan. 15, 2027, are considered for the current school year; later applications roll into the next cycle.
• Heads up: California Casualty's Music and Arts Grant is on a planned pause for the 2026-27 school year.
• Website: www.calcasathletics.com
School Library Access Mini Grants: Offered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries, these grants help school libraries buy books. Choose between two tracks: early and elementary or secondary school. Winning schools also receive a free day of professional development for library staff and ongoing support during the grant year.
• Open to: Publicly funded Idaho schools that have a permanent, dedicated library space run by a paid staff member. Check to see if your school has received this grant during the past few years — if it has, your school may not be eligible.
• Award size: Up to $5,000 per school.
• Deadline: Look for the next cycle to open in January 2027.
• Website: libraries.idaho.gov/elementary-school-grants
Spring 2027
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants: Get assistance helping students who are below grade level or having trouble reading. These grants can be used to implement or expand literacy programs; purchase new technology or equipment to support literary initiatives; or purchase books, materials or software for literacy programs.
• Open to: Schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations
• Award size: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: The application opens in the spring; check the website for exact dates.
• Website: www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs
National Council for the Social Studies Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy: Created to promote geography education in schools, these grants are meant to enhance the geographic literacy of students. Grants may be used at the classroom, district or statewide level.
• Open to: Individuals or groups in school districts, public institutions or universities.
• Award size: $2,500 and up to $800 for educators to present their work at the NCSS Conference. Recipients may reapply for another grant after three years.
• Deadline: Generally due by June 30, but check the website to confirm.
• Website: www.socialstudies.org/membership/grant-geographic-literacy
Summer 2027
NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership, Student Success and Envision Equity Grants: Learning and Leadership Grants fund professional development, such as conferences, institutes and coursework. Student Success Grants support project-based and deeper learning. Envision Equity Grants fund projects and partnerships that advance equity, cultural inclusion and civic engagement.
• Open to: K-12 educators, education support professionals and specialized instructional support personnel who are NEA members.
• Award size: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: The foundation changes its timing from year to year, but the most recent grant cycle ran from June 15 to Sept. 15. Watch the website for the next window.
•Website: neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Education Trust Grants (and more): NCTM offers grants, scholarships and awards to help educators improve the teaching and learning of mathematics.
• Open to: Math educators.
• Award size: Varies by grant, but most range from $2,500 to $10,000.
• Deadline: Applications open Aug. 1, 2027, with deadlines on Sept. 15 and Nov. 1.
• Website: www.nctm.org/Grants/
Idaho Forest Products Forest Education Grants: The Jack Buell Forest Education Grants fund projects that help young people learn more about Idaho’s trees, forests and forest products.
• Open to: Teachers and others who work with youth in Idaho.
• Award size: Up to $1,000 to support forest-related education.
• Deadline: Applications open Aug. 1, 2027, and are due Oct. 15. Applicants are notified by Oct. 31.
• Website: www.idahoforests.org/content-item/forest-education-grants/
Idaho Lottery Bucks for Books Grants (offered through the Idaho Commission for Libraries): These grants pay for age-appropriate, high-quality books for elementary school libraries. Caveat: Each school can win the grant only once, so check the commission’s awards list to see if your school is eligible.
• Open to: Publicly funded Idaho elementary school libraries that have never received a Bucks for Books award. Schools that have a 2026-2027 Library Access Mini-Grant should wait a year to apply.
• Award size: $1,000-$3,000.
• Deadline: Watch for more information and the award deadline in late summer 2027.
• Website: libraries.idaho.gov/school-libraries/bucks-for-books/
Fall 2027
Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom Grants: These grants pay for classroom projects that use agriculture to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies or healthy living. To qualify, project need a clear tie to Idaho ag. Teachers who attend the Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Workshop earn extra points during the application process.
• Open to: Idaho PreK-12 educators.
• Award size: $500.
• Deadline: Has not yet been announced, but watch for the next cycle to begin in early fall 2027.
• Website: idaho.agclassroom.org/for-teachers/grants
