Grant Opportunities for Spring 2012

IAD's list of grant opportunities for campuses for the spring is finally ready ! We are excited to share this full list of opportunities ; from STEM, general classroom materials, school gardens and music there is sure to be an opportunity for anyone ! This list may never be complete though, as new opportunities come up all the time, so check back with us often. Below are some of our highlighted grants that we encourage you to apply for, but please click this link to download a more thorough view of upcoming opportunities.

Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation: The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s mission is to support music education.  Through music education, a child can better achieve his/her full potential and stimulate personal and educational growth. Music Matters Grants for 2012 will focus on financial need in school and non-profit music programs throughout the United States. Grants will be awarded in April of 2012, with funds distributed by the end of 2012. Grant amounts for this cycle are up to $6,000 each and are made on an annual one-time basis. Deadline is February 17th 2012. For more information visit here: http://heart.muzak.com/music-matters/

Jamba Juice and the National Gardening Association: It's All About Fruit and Veggies!  Observing and exploring fruit and vegetable production gives a deeper understanding and appreciation for these essential foods in our diet. Recipients will be selected based on plans to promote nutrition education and more. Award Amount: $500 in gardening supplies, curriculum, soil amendments and plants. Deadline: 2/15/12.  For more information visit here: http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/61894 

Lowe's Tool Box for Education Award: For more than 60 years, Lowe's has supported the communities we call home. At a time when schools and community groups are struggling to make ends meet, Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation recognizes that we must increase our focus on basic, one-time project needs. Again, this year, we challenge ourselves to seek ways to provide the tools that help our educators and parent groups through these challenging times efficiently and with the greatest impact. In 2011-2012, basic needs will take priority. Deadline: February 17th 2012. Grant Award: $5,000 For more information visit here:http://toolboxforeducation.com/

NGA/Mantis: Mantis Award: Each year, Mantis presents the Mantis Awards to charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators. Deadline: March 1st 2012. For more information visit here: http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/2012-mantis-awards-community-and-youth-gardens

National Summer Learning Association: Excellence in Summer Learning Award: The Excellence in Summer Learning Award recognizes an outstanding summer program that demonstrates excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting positive development for young people between kindergarten and twelfth grade. Award: national recognition and more. Deadline: February 10th 2012  For more information visit here: http://www.summerlearning.org/?page=excellence_summer

Junior League of Austin's Aid for Better Classrooms (ABC) Grants: The ABC Grants Program enables classroom teachers the ability to introduce original curriculum-enhancing activities into the classroom-activities that might otherwise be unattainable due to continued budget constraints. Award: $1,000. Deadline: March 19th, 2012.  For more information visit here: http://www.jlaustin.org/?nd=abc_main_page

NEA Student Achievement Grant

The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in public schools and public, higher education institutions in any subject area. The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving exercises that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter.
Proposals for work resulting in success for honors students from economically disadvantaged communities are particularly encouraged.

• Grant amounts are $2,000 and $5,000
• Deadline is Feb. 1. Later deadlines are June 1 and Oct. 5
• Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology or scholars-in-residence. Learn more >
   

School Garden Leadership Conference

The Sustainable Food Center has been a fantastic resource for Austin's farm and food community, connecting Austin with fresh vegetables from local farmers at several farmers markets around town as well as facilitating farm-to-school educational projects. Sustainable Food Center's Sprouting Healthy Kids program is an invaluable resource to our community as they support local schools with resources and volunteers.

For a more in depth opportunity on starting up a School Garden, register for the following School Garden Leadership Training hosted by the Sustainable Food Center!

School Garden Leadership Training

Help foster a brighter, healthier future for children in Central Texas by teaching youth to grow their own food. We will teach you how to successfully start and sustain a school food garden. Topics covered include: organizing your garden team, planning and implementing your project, incorporating the garden into a curriculum, and fundraising. We won't be covering basic gardening principles, but can point you to a variety of resources on this topic (including our Citizen Gardener classes!). This workshop is for teachers, parents, and any community members looking to volunteer with school gardens.

Registration required - click here to register. Up to 3 people per school group can register.
Cost: Free. Donations are encouraged ($5). Participants will also have an opportunity to buy SFC's The School Farm guide at the training ($15). 

Questions? Contact Jess Guffey: (512) 236-0074 x105 or email jess (at) sustainablefoodcenter (dot) org.

When: February 11, 2012, 10:30am - 2:30pm
Where: Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center (Senior Room), 7500 Blessing Avenue, Austin, TX 78752

Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

The White House Council on Environmental Quality, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is proud to announce the 2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. This program recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for their students' learning. Two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regional offices will be selected to receive this award. Maximum Award: $2,000. Applications are due Tuesday, Jan. 31.  

Learn more

Ringing in the New Year with New Funding Opportunities and Services!

After a fantastic holiday break, the Office of Innovation and Development is gearing up and looking forward to the New Year which we foresee being full of new funding opportunities to seek out!

We ended 2011 with an amazing product donation given by 3M. Each AISD School received a 3M Shoot n' Share Camcorder Projector. This exciting product donation has endless possibilities for use in the classroom. With this Camcorder Projector, you are able to record video and take photographs, and instantly share them via the built in projector. The instructional uses for the camcorders will be used per the teacher and the student’s imagination and vision, and our teachers and students are exceptionally creative!  

With the start of the New Year, HEB provided a great opportunity for all of our schools with their Excellence in Education Awards  - was your school able to get a grant proposal in on time? Let us know how it went!

This year, our vision is big at the Office. Our plates are busy as we begin to roll out our new grants process, district- wide, as well as preparing to offer "Grant 101" training to AISD staff and parents.  Sound exciting? Stay tuned to all of our upcoming opportunities !