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Grants, Awards & Freebies

The National Council of Teachers of English’s English Language Arts Teacher Educators (ELATE), in conjunction with the National Writing Project, offers teacher grants of up to $1,000 to support research projects that further the spirit and scholarship of James Moffett, who was a champion of student-centered curricula, writing across the curriculum and alternatives to standardized testing. Proposals must address a specific question or problem to be studied and provide a clear timeline for execution.

DEADLINE: Sept. 15.
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The Toshiba Foundation awards grants of up to $5,000 to teachers in grades 6–12 to support innovative, inquiry-based projects designed by individual or small teams of teachers to improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics. Funded curricula must be project-based and engaging, with measurable outcomes for students. Toshiba will not fund the purchase of computer hardware or technology equipment.

DEADLINE: Sept. 1.
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The National Society of High School Scholars will award experiential learning grants of $1,000 to two high school educators to support hands-on classroom projects that have real world applications. Those interested in applying must first register online for free as an NSHSS educator. To be considered, applicants must respond to a written prompt and submit a principal’s recommendation, resume and color headshot. 

DEADLINE: Aug. 19.
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The National Society of High School Scholars’ Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom Grant will be awarded to five high school educators. The $1,500 grant was designed to create awareness of mental health issues and effect change by promoting social-emotional curricula. Those interested in applying must first register online for free as an NSHSS educator. To be considered, applicants must respond to a written prompt and submit a principal’s recommendation, resume and color headshot. 

DEADLINE: Aug. 19.
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The ASM Materials Education Foundation honors the accomplishments of a high school science teacher who has demonstrated a significant impact on students with the Kishor M. Kulkarni Distinguished High School Teacher Award. Candidates must be full- or part-time high school teachers. Nominations must include two letters of recommendation. The award includes a cash grant of $2,000 plus reimbursement of travel costs up to $500 to attend the annual ASM Awards Luncheon.

DEADLINE: June 30.
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Classics for Kids Foundation provides funds to partially cover the purchase of violins, violas, cellos, double basses, ukeleles and/or guitars to schools that integrate classical instruments into their programs. Schools must be able to demonstrate a genuine need and a commitment to raise matching funds. Applications are accepted quarterly. 

DEADLINE: June 30 and Sept. 30.
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STEMteachersNYC is offering a diverse array of enriching workshops and courses this summer at locations across the city. Designed by teachers for teachers, these hands-on, innovative learning experiences empower educators to bring the best of STEM education to their classrooms while fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. UFT members can receive early access to registration and a 50% discount on workshops using the code UFTSTEM2025. Scholarships that cover enrollment costs are offered on a rolling basis until funding is depleted. CTLE hours are also awarded upon workshop completion. 

DEADLINE: June 30.
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UFT members qualify for membership in the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), which provides discounts of up to 70% on current Broadway shows, off- and off-off Broadway shows, as well as music and dance performances throughout the city and tristate area. An annual membership costs $42, and tickets, which range in price from $11 to $60, can be purchased online and in advance. TDF also offers education programs such as online seminars and in-school programs for its members. 

DEADLINE: Ongoing
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Calm is an app for a phone or tablet that focuses on self-care and mindfulness practices, featuring guided meditation, calming sounds, ambient music and sleep stories. UFT members can access premium content for free via our state affiliate, NYSUT. Sign up via the NYSUT member benefits portal (see link in QR code) with your NYSUT ID number to access the discount. If you do not know your NYSUT member ID, you can find it on your NYSUT membership card, or call NYSUT Member Benefits at 800-626-8101

DEADLINE: Ongoing
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Materials for the Arts (MFTA) is a city-operated creative reuse center supporting the arts and sustainability and is open to Department of Education employees. Staff members at city schools may make an appointment to visit MFTA’s warehouse in Long Island City to choose from a wide array of free, donated materials such as paper, office supplies, craft items, beads, fabric and movie props to bring back to their schools or classrooms. Currently, 93% of DOE schools have MFTA accounts — you can check its website to see if your school has one. To make an appointment to “shop” at MFTA, ask your administrator to add you to your school’s authorized contact list and then access the MFTA portal using your DOE email and password. 

DEADLINE: Ongoing
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DonorsChoose connects public school educators with members of the public to financially support projects that directly benefit students. Classroom teachers, librarians, therapists, speech pathologists, counselors and school nurses are eligible to submit proposals seeking funding for materials and equipment to bring their ideas to reality. Funding requests appear on the DonorsChoose website, allowing donors to choose which projects to support. Once funded, requested items are delivered directly to schools. Educators must submit photos of the project in action and have students write thank-you notes, which are shared with donors.

DEADLINE: Ongoing
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The Awesome Foundation is a global community awarding $1,000 micro grants to people and groups working on awesome projects. These grants are not exclusively for teachers, but they may apply. The application deadline is the last day of each month. Tips for submissions are to be brief, unique and specific about how you would use the grant funds. If your project is not selected in a given month, you are free to reapply.

DEADLINE: ongoing, on a monthly basis
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