How to Get Funding to Support Your Elementary STEM Program — Carly and Adam (2024)

The following is a guest post from Dr. Jacie Maslyk.

When we started a space for STEAM and Maker learning in our middle school, we had no budget. I’m talking $0. We were lucky to have a nice sized room dedicated for hands-on exploration but we weren’t sure what to do next.

We begged the custodian to paint two of the walls (one as a green screen for video creation). We held a donation drive asking for old building blocks, hand tools, cardboard boxes, and broken toys. We created a Lego wall out of the donations we received. We started a take-apart station with the toys and tools.

That gave us momentum to move forward. We continued to look for grants, partnerships, and new opportunities to fund the types of learning that we wanted to provide for our students.

Developing STEM learning in classrooms can happen in small ways and larger ways. From tinkering with found materials to hands-on experiments and cardboard construction to robotics competitions. Some STEM learning can happen through materials that you already have at home or in your classroom or through donations from parents and community members.

Whether you prefer a no-tech or low-tech approach in STEM or whether you have all-things digital and high-tech, there will come a time when you need some funding for your STEM program.

What STEM Grants are available?

Grants are a great way to purchase the materials that you need for your classroom.

Different companies and foundations support STEM learning through a variety of grants. Look for local grants that might be through your educational foundation or community organizations. Large corporations like Toyota and Westinghouse offer educational grants. Retail chains like Dollar General and Target do, too. You can also apply for grants through the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

STEM organizations and educational companies offer classrooms grants, as well. Pitsco offers a $350 grant every month. Funds are provided as a gift certificate to purchase hands-on materials from their company. You can find more info about Pitsco here. You can also apply for federal grants to fund the types of learning experiences you want to develop in your classroom.

Tips For Applying for Grants

No matter which grant you may apply for, there are some must-do’s that will help you in the application process.

• Know the funder

  • Check out their website. Read their mission and know what the organization is about. Use the terms that they use. Grants that aren’t attentive to these points will likely miss the mark.

• Follow the directions

  • Be sure to read the directions. Follow each step including the length of responses and the timeline for the application. Don’t forget any of the documentation that is asked for! Incomplete applications aren’t considered for funding.

• Be Clear

  • When you are applying for funding, clearly communicate your purpose. What is your plan? How will you spend the money? How will you measure success? All of these should be clearly articulated in your grant application.

Successful grants often include some additional components, beyond what the application may require. These extra touches might help your grant to stand out among the many applications.

• Show Connections

  • Community connections or partnerships show that your grant has the potential to extend beyond your classroom and create a larger positive impact. Partner with the local public library on your grant or with a teacher at another school.

• Promote the Project

  • Infuse ways that you will publicize your grant funding. Do you have a website, a newsletter, or social media accounts where you will share the outcomes of your grant project? Share how you intend to provide positive PR about the funder and how they supported your work.

• Be Creative

  • Grab their attention with an engaging grant title! Write your proposal with a creative, upbeat tone. Describe your classroom and the learning that takes place there. Even include photos (or a video, if possible) to show the funders how the grant will impact your students.

• Garner Support

  • Some grants ask for letters of support for the project. If they don’t require it, consider including some anyway! Having a letter from a school leader, a parent, or a community member will provide a nice testimonial to the work that you are doing. It will offer a personal connection showing the relevance of your grant project.

Keep in mind, you don’t have to include all of these (or any of them if you don’t think it’s necessary). It all goes back to knowing the funder and doing the research needed to craft a quality grant proposal that will grab their interest and compel them to fund your project.

What Do I Ask For?

When you are applying for a STEM grant, think about things that you wouldn’t normally have the funds to purchase. Maybe a cool robotics kit that you’ve had your eye on or maybe some new building materials. Some grants won’t fund technology like iPads or other devices, so be sure to read the directions and know what is acceptable. Need some help with a supply list? Check out this post for inspiration.

I Got Funded!

Congratulations, your grant was funded. Now what? Be sure that you do what you said you would do. Purchase the items that you submitted in the grant. Complete the activities that you planned to do. Post pictures of your students using the new materials. Share the excitement on your social media channels.

Most importantly, send out thank you’s. Share thank you notes (or emails) with those who helped you complete the grant or anyone who wrote a letter of support. Also, send a thank you to the funder. Let them know how much you appreciate the help. (If you ever apply for funding again, they will remember your gratitude.)

There are lots of grants out there to apply for. If you haven’t created a grant application before, don’t worry! Follow the advice in this post and give it a try. The more grants you write, the better (and more comfortable) you’ll get. Think about the difference it will make for your students when you can celebrate your grant approval with new STEM materials in the classroom.

Join our FREE Facebook group Elementary STEM Teachers with Carly and Adam! Learn more about how to incorporate STEM in your classroom or at home and collaborate with other STEM teachers! JOIN NOW!