Grant for school upgrades?

[LiL1Penny]

Hello,
My girlfriend is a teacher at a middle school that is in desperate need of some new paint for the lockers and some new desks. She would like to attempt to get a grant for the funds needed to get these upgrades but she and I don't know where to look or who to talk to.

Figured I'd try YE for some advice on the matter.

Thanks

[jasaunders]

The obvious first place would be to contact your state's department of education and then the U.S. department of education, as those are the two likely groups that award education grants. However, it seems odd that a school administrator would not already be doing this.

[young one]

dont school admins take care of this problem..like wouldnt she have to ask for permission to do such a thing?

[JLeezer]

The obvious first place would be to contact your state's department of education and then the U.S. department of education, as those are the two likely groups that award education grants. However, it seems odd that a school administrator would not already be doing this.

I'd tend to agree with you about involving the administration. If not, who knows what kind of screwed up legislation could come into play and change the availability of funds for the school from other sources.

[LiL1Penny]

Thanks all,

From what she's told me her administration is pretty worthless but I will let her know not to do anything without going through them first.

[jasaunders]

Yea, the first step would be to sit down with the principal or superintendent and explain the concerns she has and that she would like to propose finding money to fix the problem. Based on the responses, it may be necessary to go in front of the school board, which is typically responsible for school budgeting and will have more information on the financial well-being of the school and district. Maybe the school board has extra room in their next fiscal budget to allocate the money for the needed repairs and a grant isn't necessary.

Schools are very beaucratic, and the key for her is going to be to take it step by step. She doesn't want to be going over people's heads in this process, or she could find herself without a job or in a miserable position. So start with the principal (or even a department head), before moving up the food chain with the request. If she receives resistance about the idea, don't push for a fight, use quiet diplomacy by making friends and getting people on her side.

[JLeezer]

Schools are very beaucratic, and the key for her is going to be to take it step by step. She doesn't want to be going over people's heads in this process, or she could find herself without a job or in a miserable position. So start with the principal (or even a department head), before moving up the food chain with the request. If she receives resistance about the idea, don't push for a fight, use quiet diplomacy by making friends and getting people on her side.

Very correct. To the point of quiet diplomacy, don't forget that making friends shouldn't just be limited to those inside the school system. Parents of students can be a powerful force, as they are some of the taxpayers responsible for school board elections. Don't bash the school or administrators to them; do plant ideas in their head.

[entrepresooner]

In case all of that doesn't work.... Grants.gov - Find Grant Opportunities - Search Grant Opportunities


That site lists just about every Grant program there is...