U.S. Department of Education, Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program awards grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the unique needs of rural school districts. To review the application click on the provided link.  The application deadline is June 30, 2009, 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, DC time.

The Sharing the Dream grant is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and MetLife Foundation.  It is awarded to elementary and middle school principals who wish to initiate a project that actively engages their communities.  Projects
should distribute leadership and decision-making, encourage parents to become involved in the school, and ensure that students and families are connected to the health, human, and social services they need to stay focused on learning.  Proposals must be implemented during the 2009-2010 school year.  Winners will receive $3,000, a toolkit of resources focused on engaging families and communities, and inclusion in the "spotlight" publication that describes the Sharing the Dream projects.  The application deadline for this grant is 5:00 pm Eastern time, July 8, 2009.

Active Living Research and Healthy Eating Research are national programs of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that support research to identify promising policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity, promoting healthy eating and preventing obesity. This call for proposals (CFP) supports time-sensitive, opportunistic studies to evaluate changes in policies or environments with the potential to reach children who are at highest risk for obesity,
including African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian-American and Pacific Islander children (ages 3 to 18) who live in low-income communities or communities with limited access to affordable healthy foods and/or safe opportunities for physical activity. Research studies may focus on one or both sides of the energy balance equation-on physical activity (including sedentary behavior), healthy eating or both. Studies funded under this CFP are expected to advance RWJF's efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Grants will
be awarded on a rolling basis. Applications are due July 17, 2009.

The Active Living Research 2009-Robert Woods Johnson Foundation New Connections Call for Proposals focuses on studies of policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity, decreasing sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity among children and adolescents. Target populations include children and adolescents ages 3 to 18 that are at greatest risk for obesity: African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander children and children who live in under-resourced and/or lower-income communities. This funding opportunity is for new investigators (defined as individuals who received their doctorate or terminal degree within the last seven years) from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Two types of grants are available through this funding
opportunity: Research and Publication Grants. Research grants (up to four research grants of up to $75,000 each for 12-18 months will be awarded in this category) can be either: small-scale studies to identify and evaluate environmental determinants or evaluate promising changes to physical activity environments or policies in a variety of settings or macro-level analyses of policies and environmental approaches that impact children's physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Publication grants to support scientific manuscripts relevant to Active Living Research's overall mission that will contribute to the applicant's scholarly productivity (up to three publication grants of up to $12,000 each for 12 months will be awarded in this category). All proposals for both research grants and publication grants must be submitted online through the RWJF Grantmaking
Online system by 1pm PT on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. Investigators who meet the specific eligibility criteria for this CFP also are eligible and encouraged to apply for other ALR grant opportunities.

The National Gardening Association (NGA) has announced that the Home Depot is returning as the Youth Garden Grants sponsor for 2010. NGA annually awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs across the United States. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of three and 18 years. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so, but must wait one year before applying again, and must have significantly expanded their garden programs. For the 2010 grant cycle, 100 grants are available. Five programs will each receive gift cards valued at $1,000 (a $500 gift card to the Home Depot and a $500 gift card to the Gardening with Kids catalog and educational materials from NGA). Ninety-five programs will each receive a $500 gift card to the Home Depot and educational materials from NGA.  Applications are due November 2, 2009.

The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) has reconfigured a past award into a new grant opportunity. The Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant will give up to $1,500 to a nonprofit entity to directly support recreation programs for people with disabilities. The grant is made possible by the Tommy Wilson family, who originally established the award in 1975 in remembrance of their son, who had cerebral palsy and died at the age of 16.  For more information or to request an application contact AAPAR.  Applications are due December 1, 2009.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has posted a call for proposals (CFP) in the Childhood Obesity program area. The objective of this CFP for rapid-response grants is to support time-sensitive, opportunistic studies that can evaluate changes in policies or environments with the potential to reach children who are at highest risk for obesity, including African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander children (ages 3 to 18) who live in
low-income communities or communities with limited access to affordable healthy foods and/or safe opportunities for physical activity. All studies funded under this CFP are expected to inform the policy debate on childhood obesity and advance RWJF's efforts to reverse the childhood
obesity epidemic by 2015. Two types of studies are eligible for rapid-response funding: Opportunistic evaluations of imminent changes in policies or environments (i.e., "natural experiments") and studies that can inform an ongoing or upcoming policy debate ( e.g., small
experimental studies, secondary data analyses, cost-effectiveness analyses, health impact assessments, simulations of policy effects or macro-level policy analyses). Studies that are not urgent and time-sensitive are not eligible under this CFP. It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly demonstrate why the proposed study needs to be funded, conducted and completed on an urgent and time-sensitive basis. Up to $800,000 total will be awarded for rapid-response research grants during the 2008 calendar year. The maximum amount for a single grant is $150,000, with a maximum funding period of 12 months.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball. Grants are intended to finance a new program, expand or
improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment necessary for youth baseball or softball programs. Projects must meet the following criteria: increase the number of youth participating in baseball and softball programs; improve
the quality of youth baseball and softball programs; create new or innovative ways of expanding and improving baseball or softball programs; are able to match funds for programs; provide programs for children between the ages of 10 and 16; support existing programs that have demonstrated success in providing a quality youth baseball/softball experience; and address opportunities for minorities and women. Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations involved in youth baseball programs are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis.

Finish Line, an athletic retailer specializing in brand name footwear, apparel and accessories, supports athletic and wellness programs located in communities where their stores are located. The foundation funds projects registered as 501 (c) (3) organizations; have a primary focus
on assisting children and young adults 18 and under; concentrate on athletics or wellness; and benefit communities in which Finish Line stores are located.

HOPSports offers assistance to schools and community based organizations to secure funding for the purchase of the HOPSports Training System (HTS). Throughout the year, HOPSports identifies grant opportunities that are available at the national, state and local level that regularly provide free money to fund various wellness advancement projects. HOPSports will assist your school or organization to plan and write grant applications.  For more information click on the provided link.

Peaceful playgrounds offers grants to schools in support of playground equipment purchases as well as training, resources and assessment.  Free webinars are also available on grant writing.  For more information click on the peaceful playground's link.

IC Bus is inviting K-12 students to write a 500 word essay describing what makes their school green. Students under age 13 must have a sponsor submit their essay for them. The winning school will receive a hybrid school bus. The writer of the winning essay will receive a $5,000 scholarship and their sponsor could win up to $3,000 for educational materials.   For more information the IC Bus website.

The "SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards" provides school and community groups with a monetary award, national recognition and some well-deserved fun at one of our parks.  Eight groups are selected each year to receive an award of $10,000.00. One environmental educator/leader is awarded $5,000.00 each year.

Nestlé has been a proud sponsor of the Very Best In Youth program for more than nine years. Created to spotlight the best in youth leadership, the program identifies teens whose efforts are making a profound impact in lives other than their own.   Winners recieve a $1000.00 donation in their name, paid travel to Los Angeles for the Nestlé Very Best In Youth awards ceremony as well as other acknowledgements.

The Braitmayer Foundation awards grants of $10,000.00 to $35,000.00 to support Curricular and school reform initiatives as well as preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those which encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. 

BJ’s Charitable Foundation was created to enhance and enrich community programs that primarily benefit children and families in the areas of safety, security and well-being of children and families, support education and health programs, provide community service opportunities and aid in hunger and disaster relief.

The CarMax Foundation's Regional Giving Program awards grants to organizations that promote either educational opportunities for children and families or youth leadership and show a demonstrable need based upon the demand for the program or population served by the program.

Target is offering field trip grants of up to $800 per teacher to help you keep those real life hands-on learning opportunities for students during tough financial times. In Field Trip Fun! you'll find expert advice on planning, affording and streamlining Field Trips to help you fund your outing!

HotChalk is an online resource for K-12 teachers, students and parents that includes grants & contest, a learning management system (LMS), a rich library of teacher-contributed lesson plans, premium digital content, and professional development for teachers in a Web-based environment.

Community Action grants provide funds to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. One-year grants of ($2,000-$7,000 over one year) or two-year grants ($5,000-$10,000 over two years) are available.

The Small Steps Video Contest in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the Ad Council, the National Basketball Association, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America is awarding $2,500.00 in cash and prizes for original videos.  To complement the already successful "Small Steps" Obesity Prevention campaign, the contest invites teens and young adults to submit videos demonstrating the creative and fun small steps they can take to get healthy.

The makers of Hidden Valley salad dressings are awarding 10 grants of $15,000 each to elementary schools across the US to support programs that help provide students increase access to and consumption of fresh, healthy foods made available through an on-campus vegetable consumption program. Each grant award will support an elementary school in developing a vegetable program offering fresh produce to be implemented as early as April 2009 and lasting through the 2009-2010 school year. Each school grant will consist of $15,000 in direct funding.  Purchase of Hidden Valley Original Ranch dressings and products is not required.  For more information visit the loveyourveggiegrants website.

The Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program, an initiative of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is dedicated to supporting parent-teacher groups at schools across the
United States.  The grant program gives preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean-up projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are
encouraged.

The Revolution - Take a Stand for a Healthier Future is a partnership between The National Dairy Council, your local Dairy Council and the National Football League on an initiative to revolutionize eating and exercise habits in kids.  A Free Wellness Activity Kit and online resources are available to schools. 

AAHPERD in partnership with the American Heart Association is sponsoring the Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart Grant Program.  AAHPERD strives to give back to those who are committed to improving the wellness of our nation's youth.  The award amount of the grant is $2500.00. For details click on the provided link.

The eSchool News, an online version of a monthly magazine, contains a grants section with regularly updated grant, scholarship, professional development, and other funding opportunities for both educators and students.  You can register, at no cost to you, to receive updates, a newspaper and educational resources.

The Foundation Center, an independent nonprofit information clearinghouse on grants nationwide, offers publications, including directories of foundation and corporate grant
makers, research advice, custom research, and database searching. The Web site includes online training in grant seeking, proposal writing, and funding research, as well as an online librarian.

Fastweb, an online scholarship search engine listing over 400,000 scholarships annually. The website provides students with accurate, regularly updated information on scholarships, grants, and fellowships suited to their goals and qualifications.  There is no charge to use this service.

GrantsAlert.com is a comprehensive website of grants in easy to search format.  The additional Resource section of the website also has great funding opportunities for teachers.

Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for competitive grant opportunities from all federal grant-making agencies.  The website list over 900 grant programs offered by the twenty six Federal grant-making agencies.

SchoolGrants.org is a collection of resources and tips to help PK-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. The site offers fundraising ideas, sample proposals, grant writing tips, and scholarship information.

Mississippi Department of Transportation

Safe Routes to SchooLs

 Report & Press Release