Teacher Grants 2025: Top Funding Opportunities for Classroom Innovation
It’s that time of year again. Classrooms are buzzing with activity, teachers are pouring their hearts into lesson plans, and budgets are stretched to the breaking point. Teachers know all too well the cost of creating extraordinary learning experiences—books, technology, art supplies, STEM kits, even basic essentials. In fact, surveys show that teachers spend an average of $820 out of pocket every year to stock their classrooms.
The good news? There are hundreds of grant programs designed specifically to help teachers. Unlike large federal grants that districts usually manage, these teacher-focused grants are accessible, relatively simple to apply for, and can make an immediate impact. Most provide between $100 and $5,000, with some going higher for innovative projects or professional development. The application process is often streamlined, and many programs accept proposals on a rolling basis.
We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting teacher grants available in 2025—organized by category so you can find the opportunities best suited for your classroom and your students.
Grants for Classroom Enrichment & Supplies
American Association of Educators (AAE) Classroom Grants
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Eligibility: K–12 teachers
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What it funds: Classroom resources such as books, curriculum, or audio-visual equipment
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Deadline: March and October
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Amount: $500
Casey’s Cash for Classroomshttps://www.caseys.com/community/cash-for-classrooms-grants
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Eligibility: K–12 public and private schools in 16 states
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What it funds: Physical improvements, teacher support, classroom materials, and community engagement
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Deadline: October–November
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Amount: $3,000–$50,000
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
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Eligibility: K–12 teachers and schools
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What it funds: Expanding literacy programs, purchasing technology, and buying books and materials
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Deadline: Typically opens in March
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Amount: Up to $4,000
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Eligibility: PreK–12 school libraries serving disadvantaged youth, including detention centers
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What it funds: Books, reference materials, and subscriptions
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Deadline: November–February
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Amount: $2,500–$10,000
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Eligibility: PreK–9 teachers
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What it funds: Purchasing and caring for a small classroom pet
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Deadline: Rolling
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Amount: $50–$150
Grants for Professional Development
Investing in teachers means investing in students. These grants support continuing education, training, and renewal opportunities.
NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants
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Eligibility: NEA members (teachers and education support professionals)
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What it funds: Professional development or collegial study opportunities
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Deadline: December–February
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Amount: $2,000 or $5,000
Association of American Educators Foundation Teacher Scholarships
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Eligibility: Full-time educators who have not received an AAEF award in the past two years
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What it funds: Professional development and related materials
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Deadline: March 1 or October 1
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Amount: $500
Fund for Teachers (New for 2025)
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Eligibility: PreK–12 teachers with three or more years of experience
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What it funds: Self-designed professional development fellowships—domestic or abroad
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Deadline: Application opens October 1, 2025
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Amount: Up to $10,000
Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship (Indiana only)
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Eligibility: K–12 educators in Indiana
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What it funds: Personal and professional renewal projects
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Deadline: September 8, 2025
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Amount: Up to $15,000
Grants for STEM & Innovation
Science, technology, engineering, and math programs are a funding priority for many corporations and foundations. These grants support hands-on learning, equipment, and creative approaches.
AIAA Foundation Classroom Grants
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Eligibility: K–12 teachers
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What it funds: Lab equipment, robotics supplies, math and science software
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Deadline: December 2, 2025
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Amount: $200
American Chemical Society – ACS Hach High School Chemistry Grants
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Eligibility: High school chemistry teachers
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What it funds: Lab supplies, professional development, and outreach activities
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Deadline: June 2025 (Watch for this one to roll around next summer!)
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Amount: $1,800
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Eligibility: Any teacher, including homeschool educators
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What it funds: STEM products, curriculum, and hands-on materials
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Deadline: First of each month
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Amount: $350
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Grants
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Eligibility: PreK–5th grade teachers (must be NCTM members)
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What it funds: Professional development, coursework, and classroom resources
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Deadline: Multiple
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Amount: Up to $6,000
Toshiba America Foundation Grants
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Eligibility: K–12 teachers
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What it funds: Innovative STEM projects designed by teachers for their own classrooms
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Deadline: Rolling
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Amount: Varies
Sol Hirsch Education Fund Grants
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Eligibility: K–12 teachers
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What it funds: Materials and supplies for teaching meteorology and weather science
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Deadline: Spring 2026
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Amount: Up to $750
Grants for Arts & Creativity
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Eligibility: K–12 educators, including teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals
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What it funds: Innovative classroom projects
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Deadline: May
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Amount: $2,000–$25,000
The Music Matters Challenge (New for 2025)
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Eligibility: K–12 music teachers and schools
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What it funds: Prizes include a $25,000 school grant, $10,000 individual award, and a top $300,000 grant to fund a full-time music teacher’s salary
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Deadline: May
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Eligibility: Under-resourced schools with music programs
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What it funds: Donations of instruments, including disaster recovery support for schools impacted by natural disasters
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Deadline: Rolling
Tech & Access Grants
Mobile Beacon – Connect for Success
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Eligibility: Students and school communities facing digital inequities
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What it funds: 25 laptops, LTE devices, and one year of free high-speed internet
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Deadline: Rolling
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Eligibility: Grades 2–6 teachers
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What it funds: Free year-long access to Reflex’s math fact fluency software
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Deadline: DSeptember 19, 2025
Other Places to Find Teacher Grants
In addition to national programs, don’t overlook local opportunities. Many banks, credit unions, civic clubs, and community foundations operate small teacher grant programs. State and local PTAs often provide mini-grants for classroom projects as well. A simple Google search for “[your city] teacher grant” or checking your district’s education foundation website can uncover hidden gems.
Quick Tips for Applying
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Plan Ahead: Keep a running list of classroom needs and project ideas so you’re ready when deadlines open.
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Check District Policies: Some schools require approval before applying for outside funding.
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Tell a Story: Funders want to know how their dollars will change students’ lives—make your application personal and clear.
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Track Deadlines: Many grants have early-year deadlines (January–March). Put them on your calendar now.
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Lean on Support: Join our LinkedIn group to connect with grant writers and educators for quick answers and encouragement.
Final Thoughts
Teacher grants may be modest compared to multi-million-dollar federal awards, but they make a real difference where it matters most—right inside classrooms. Whether it’s funding new books, bringing STEM to life, covering professional development, or sparking creativity through the arts, these opportunities help teachers do what they do best: inspire the next generation.
Bookmark the programs above, set reminders for deadlines, and don’t hesitate to apply. Your students—and your wallet—will thank you.
One last tip— get to know your students’ parents. While these grants are generally too small for investing in the services of professionals like us, you never know when you might have a professional grant writer across the desk from you in a parent-teacher conference if you don’t ask. As a rule, we don’t do pro bono work. But, when it is our child’s classroom or extracurricular activity, we have been known to make an exception or two.