Kids in Need Teacher Grants

Deadline: September 30

The Kids In Need Foundation seeks to engage students in the learning process by supporting creative teachers from across the United States. Kids in Need Teacher Grants, sponsored by retailers and credit unions, provide K-12 educators with funding to develop innovative learning opportunities for their students. The purpose of the grant program is to provide funds for classroom teachers who have meritorious ideas but lack the budget to bring them to life. Projects qualify for funding if they make creative use of common teaching aids, approach the curriculum from an imaginative angle, or tie nontraditional concepts together for the purpose of illustrating commonalities. Typically, 200 to 300 grants from $100 to $500 are awarded each year. The application deadline is September 30, 2008. Visit the Foundation's website to submit the appropriate online application for your geographic region: www.kidsinneed.net/grants/index.php

Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program

Deadline:September 25

The Wal-Mart Foundation's State Giving Program awards grants at the state and regional level to programs that have a strong impact within the communities the company serves. Advisory Councils in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will determine how best to distribute State Giving Program funds. The program's priority funding categories include: Education, targeting the needs of underserved young people ages 12-30; Job Skills Training, specifically support services to help people improve their work-related skills; Health, with a focus on access to healthcare and the promotion of healthy lifestyles; and Environmental Sustainability, including recycling programs, outdoor classrooms, etc. The minimum grant size for this program is $5,000. The remaining application deadlines for this year are September 25 and December 19. To submit an online application, visit: walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8168.aspx

Innovations in American Government Award

The Innovations in American Government Program is a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. Through its annual awards competition, the Program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and that it deserves greater public trust. By highlighting exemplary models of government’s innovative performance, the Program serves as a catalyst for continued progress in addressing the nation’s most pressing public concerns. Innovations Award winners receive national press attention, serve as examples of model programs worthy of replication, and spark research and teaching cases at Harvard University and other schools across the country.

Please click the following links to read an invitation from David Gergen, the Awards Cycle, information on our eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and review tips and samples from previous winners of the Innovations Awards: www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu/Introduction.cfm

Do Something Increase Your Green Competition

Register by September 15, Submit Applications from October 13 through December 8

Do Something is calling on you to green your school. Reduce the carbon footprint of your school this fall and you could win up to $1,500 to further your efforts. Middle and high schools are eligible for a first-place prize of a $1,500 grant, banner, plaque and eco-friendly gift bags (up to thirty), and a chance to be visited by the biotour bus. Do Something will also give out three $500 second place prizes. Participants must make concrete efforts towards reducing the environmental impact of their school during the eight week competition. All initiatives must be youth designed and led. For more information, visit: www.dosomething.org/increase_your_green

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Deadline: October 31

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial and administered by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, recognize middle and high school students for volunteer community service. Eligible applicants include any young person in the United States who is in grades 5-12 and has engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of application. Local honorees are selected in November, and from these winners two state honorees are chosen in each state and the District of Columbia. Out of the state honorees, ten national honorees are selected and announced at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in May of 2009. State Honorees receive an award of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, for national recognition events. National Honorees receive an additional award of $5,000. For more details, visit: www.prudential.com/spirit/

Pay It Forward Mini-Grants for Youth

Deadline: September 15

These funds go to one-time-only, service-oriented activities that young people would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood or greater community. Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus. They are based on one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others and so on for exponential results. Eligibility: K-12 youths. Submit applications between August 1 - September 15 for a Fall grant at
payitforwardfounda tion.org/educators/grant.html

K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Awards

Deadline: October 6, 2008

The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award recognizes graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education; whose work reflects a strong emphasis on teaching and learning; and who demonstrate a commitment to developing academic and civic responsibility in themselves and others. The awards are sponsored by K. Patricia Cross, Professor Emerita of Higher Education at the University of California-Berkeley. All doctoral level graduate students who are planning a career in higher education are eligible, regardless of academic department.

For more information see campaign.aacu.org:81/CT00012901MjMwODM0.HTML.

CVS Community Grants Target Youth with Disabilities

Deadline: October 31

CVS Pharmacy Community Grants are currently accepting proposals for programs targeting children under age 18 with disabilities that address: health and rehabilitation services; a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs; opportunities or facilities that give greater access to physical movement; and play. Maximum Award: varies. Eligibility: Public schools with programs for children under age 18 with disabilities. Visit www.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/community-grants

Best Buy Teach Award Recognizes K-12 Interactive Technology Programs

Deadline: October 12

The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classrooms throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The program rewards schools that integrate interactive technology into the curriculum in order to engage students and make learning fun. Awards are provided to schools that have launched successful programs using available technology; schools that don't have the most current equipment should not be discouraged from applying. Awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 in the form of Best Buy Gift Cards will be granted to accredited K-12 public, private, parochial, magnet and charter schools. To receive a Teach Award, the program must have been in use for at least one full school year. Applications must be submitted online by October 12, 2008 at: www.musserfund.org/harmony.php

Intercultural Harmony Program: Support for Cross-Cultural Projects

Deadline: October 1

The Intercultural Harmony Program, an initiative of the Laura Jane MusserFund, promotes mutual understanding and cooperation between groups and itizens of different cultural backgrounds within defined geographical areas through collaborative, cross-cultural projects. Support isprovided to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that initiate programs that increase the level of interaction between the targeted groups. Funded projects can be carried out in a number of areas, including the arts, community service, and youth activities.Planning or implementation grants averaging from $7,500 to $20,000 are provided for new projects within their first three years of operation.The application deadline is October 1, 2008. Detailed application guidelines are available on the Foundation's website: 209.68.13.147/community_relations/teach_awards.htm

Grants Available to Institutions of Higher Education to Promote MLK Day of Service 2009

NC Campus Compact, one of seven national lead agencies selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote the 2009 MLK Day of Service, is now accepting applications from out-of-network institutions of higher education. This includes institutions in states that do not have a Campus Compact state office, or did not have an office prior to May 2008. Grants are available in increments of $1,000 and $2,500 to institutions in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming. We strongly encourage applications on behalf of a group/coalition of institutions, but please note that only one institution can serve as the subgrantee.

To learn more and download an application visit org.elon.edu/nccc/resources/OutofNetworkMLK.html

For information about the national MLK Day of Service visit www.mlkday.gov