Homebook Funding Helper · Free
National programs, each with its own rules on who can apply, plus a full Arkansas guide. Now adding programs in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Tennessee and Texas as we check them. Request your state Prizes & contests
Grants, loans and prizes, each checked on the funder’s own site, starting with Arkansas. Each one answers can a for-profit school apply? Free, no email needed. How to use this (video, 4 min) (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Honest picture: of 34 options open to a for-profit school today, 13 are loans and 5 are grants.
Checked nightly. Every night we open each program’s official page. If it hasn’t changed, its “last checked” date moves forward; if it has, a person re-checks it. When a round closes, it moves to Closed for this round on its own, and anything we can’t re-confirm shows “Checking…” instead of “Open.” New funding is added every week.
Updated Every listing shows the date it was last checked.Get new funding by email
Built with input from The Reform Alliance.
New to this? Start with three steps Get new funding by email
65 options match your filters, plus 56 narrower ones below
No Alabama programs of their own are listed yet, so these are national programs a school in Alabama can use. We add Alabama programs as we check each one on the funder’s own page.
National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions
Not cash: a 7 to 14 day National Geographic-Lindblad expedition plus a Washington, D.C. workshop, with travel and expedition costs covered
Deadline Oct 22, 2026 (10 days left)Not stated for new schools
WomensNet
$10,000 monthly; $10,000 startup; $10,000 category; three $50,000 annual
Deadline Oct 31, 2026 (19 days left)Brand-new schools can apply
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Mathematics Education Trust
Up to $2,500 to $8,000 depending on the grant (for example $3,000 for teacher professional development, $5,000 for innovative K-8 lessons, $8,000 for equity in math)
Deadline Nov 1, 2026 (20 days left)Not stated for new schools
Toshiba America Foundation
K-5 up to $1,000; 6-12 up to $5,000 and above $5,000
Deadline Nov 1, 2026 (20 days left)Not stated for new schools
NASA (Flight Opportunities program, run by Future Engineers)
$1,500 per winning team to build its experiment, plus mentoring (60 teams)
Deadline Nov 2, 2026 (21 days left)Not stated for new schools
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Typically $1,000 to $20,000 (no more than $20,000, or a quarter of your average yearly income over 3 years)
Deadline Nov 10, 2026 (29 days left)Not stated for new schools
ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), with Vista Higher Learning
$300 each (100 microgrants between August 2026 and April 2027)
Deadline Nov 12, 2026 (31 days left)Not stated for new schools
Walmart / Walmart Foundation
$250 to $5,000
Deadline Nov 30, 2026 (49 days left)Not stated for new schools
Society for Science
$1,000 equipment kits; up to $5,000 per school every 3 years
Deadline Dec 4, 2026 (53 days left)Not stated for new schools
Verizon (with LISC)
$10,000
Deadline Dec 7, 2026 (56 days left)Not stated for new schools
Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
Up to $600 (2025 guidelines). AFA gives $20,000 a year in total to 40 educators
Deadline Dec 15, 2026 (64 days left)Not stated for new schools
Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics
Nine $5,000 winners plus four $1,250 honorable mentions ($50,000 total)
Deadline Dec 15, 2026 (64 days left)Not stated for new schools
National Life Group Foundation
Grand prize $20,000; 4 finalists $5,000; 10 awards of $3,000. Each is split half to the winner, half to the school
Deadline Dec 31, 2026 (80 days left)Not stated for new schools
Organization for Autism Research (OAR), with Jewelers for Children
$500 to $6,000 for most projects; up to $12,000 for school district-wide projects
Deadline Jan 11, 2027 (91 days left)Not stated for new schools
The Mockingbird Foundation
$100 to $10,000, one time
Deadline Jan 15, 2027 (95 days left)Not stated for new schools
C-SPAN
Students: $250 to $5,000 per entry (150 prizes). Teacher adviser: $125 to $750
Deadline Jan 20, 2027 (100 days left)Not stated for new schools
Fund for Teachers
Individuals up to $5,000; teams up to $10,000
Deadline Jan 21, 2027 (101 days left)Not stated for new schools
Reading Is Fundamental (with Barnes & Noble)
100 winners each get 100 K-5 books (about $400 value)
Deadline Feb 28, 2027 (139 days left)Not stated for new schools
U.S. Army (Army STEM, formerly AEOP)
Cash per student: $250 or $500 (state), $1,000 or $2,000 (regional), $5,000 (national first place)
Deadline Mar 3, 2027 (142 days left)Not stated for new schools
National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
$500 to $5,000, by grant: school supplies ($500), school club ($500), classroom digital access ($1,000), professional development ($1,500), higher education ($2,500), Educator of the Year ($5,000 top award; $1,000 to nine finalists)
Deadline Mar 18, 2027 (157 days left)Not stated for new schools
Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum
Winner: $10,000; finalists $1,000; semifinalists $500. Each comes with a matching grant to the school
Deadline Mar 31, 2027 (170 days left)Not stated for new schools
Shane McConkey Foundation
$27,250 in total prizes; $250 to $5,000 per winner
Deadline Apr 22, 2027 (192 days left)Brand-new schools can apply
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
$1,000 to each state winner; $10,000 to the national winner
Deadline Apr 30, 2027 (200 days left)Not stated for new schools
Pet Care Trust
Rebates of $75 or $125, or a retailer coupon; $50 sustaining grant
Deadline Apr 30, 2027 (200 days left)Not stated for new schools
Project Paradigm
Students: $200 to $100,000 per team. Educator grants: $50 to $5,000
Deadline May 1, 2027 (201 days left)Brand-new schools can apply
Constituting America
$2,000 for the best lesson plan; $1,000 for the teacher with the most student entries; $50 gift card for 10+ student entries
Deadline May 31, 2027 (231 days left)Brand-new schools can apply
Every Kid Outdoors (federal lands and waters agencies)
Free pass for each fourth grader to all national parks, lands and waters
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
IMSE Foundation
One free IMSE course (Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus, 30 hours, or Morphology Plus, 30 hours)
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
Kiva
$1,000–$15,000 at 0% interest, no fees
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
LiftFund
From $500 (its site shows both $1 million and $10 million as the top); rates 0% to 17.50%, admin fees 2% to 7%
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
The Lending Lab (Building Hope Impact Fund)
$10,000–$50,000 (home-based schools capped at $20,000)
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
U.S. Small Business Administration
Up to $50,000 (average about $13,000)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
U.S. Small Business Administration (through a bank or lender)
Up to $5 million (SBA maximum)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
U.S. Small Business Administration (through a Certified Development Company)
Not stated consistently (SBA's page shows two different maximums)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
AdelFi Credit Union (formerly ECCU and Christian Community Credit Union)
Not posted
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Adobe
Free (Premium features included) for eligible K-12 schools
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
AFCEA Educational Foundation
Gravely and Paige (elementary and middle school): up to $2,000. Shrader (high school): up to $3,000
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
America's Christian Credit Union
Not posted
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
American Battlefield Trust
$250 to $3,000 per trip (reimbursed after the trip)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Autodesk
Free one-year access, renewable while eligible
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Bookshare (Benetech)
100% free for U.S. students with qualifying disabilities
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
Building Hope
Not posted (facility-scale)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
CYBER.ORG (Cyber Innovation Center, funded by CISA)
Free (content 'at no cost for K-12 educators'; Range is free to use)
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
First Book
In-kind: free membership, plus free and discounted books and supplies
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
GitHub
Free GitHub Pro account for verified learners, plus 3K Actions minutes and 180 Codespaces hours per month
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Givebutter
Platform, not a grant
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
GoFundMe
Platform, not a grant
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Jonny Bass Foundation
Not posted (supplies shipped from an Amazon wishlist)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)
Not posted for most loans (Ministry Improvement Loan: up to $150,000)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Ministry Partners Investment Company
Not posted
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and local affiliates
Free
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Up to $4,000
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress
Free books, magazines and players, mailed or downloaded
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
The Lisa Libraries
Free books; the recipient pays shipping and handling
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Free used federal computers and equipment (you pay pickup or shipping)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
WatersEdge Ministry Services
Not posted (rate quote by request)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Federal Quota Program; Arkansas trustee: Arkansas Department of Education Accessible Education Materials Coordinator
Per-student federal funding credited to a state account and used to buy APH materials (amount not posted per student)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
General Mills
Up to $20,000 cash per year, earned from families' grocery receipts
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Good360
Donated goods for a small shipping or admin fee per order
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Kids Need to Read
Not posted (free books)
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
PCs for People
Refurbished computers 'at a fraction of the cost' (prices not posted; up to five online, six or more by email)
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
Thrivent
$1 in grant funding for each Choice Dollar a Thrivent member directs to your enrolled organization; paid monthly by EFT
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Thrivent
Not posted
Rolling: apply any timeNot stated for new schools
Wildflower Foundation
Seed grants (no range posted; Wildflower reported an average award of $19,000 in April 2025), plus low-interest loans
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
Zeffy
Free to use (Zeffy says “Our price is $0”)
Rolling: apply any timeBrand-new schools can apply
New Alabama and national funding, once a month, only when there’s something new. Get it by email
Open now, but a family or student applies, not the school. Good to pass along to your families.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolAutism Care Today: Family grants
Grants of up to $5,000 for families of children with autism, toward therapy, assessments, assistive technology or safety equipment. Families apply; the money goes to the provider.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolHSLDA Compassion: Curriculum Grant (for families)
Curriculum grants of $300–$400 per child, once a year, for homeschool families in need. It's for families, not co-ops, but a family can spend it on co-op tuition.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolSmall Steps in Speech: Individual grants (for families)
Grants for families of children aged 3–22 with speech or language needs, toward speech therapy, therapy camps or communication devices. Families apply; the money goes to the provider.
Free goods or servicesWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolDavidson Institute: Davidson Young Scholars (free family services)
Free support for families of profoundly gifted children aged 5 to 16 at entry: one-on-one family support, an online community, webinars and events. No cash; families apply.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolFirst Hand Foundation: Pediatric medical grants (clinical care, equipment, travel)
Family grants for a child's therapies, evaluations, assistive technology, communication devices, hearing aids and medical travel. Families apply directly, so school type does not matter.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolUnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF): Medical grants for children (therapies, equipment and treatment)
Family grants for a child's prescribed medical care, therapies and equipment not fully covered by commercial insurance. Families apply directly, so this works for students at any school or homeschool.
Not open right now. Most come back every year; when the funder posts the next round, the listing moves back to the open list. We show when it opens again only when the funder says so.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolKidsGardening: 2027 Youth Garden Grant
Opens Nov 9, 2026; closes Dec 11, 2026, 11:59 pm PT.
Next round opens Nov 9, 2026.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Shade Structure Grant
The 2027 application is online October 19 to December 18, 2026 (the AAD's application page). Awards are made in March, and the shade must be installed by November 30.
Next round opens Oct 19, 2026.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolLorenz Family Foundation: Christian school project grants
Letters of inquiry are accepted only November 1 to December 31, for projects funded the next year. If no trustee contacts you by July 1, the request wasn't picked that year.
Next round opens Nov 1, 2026.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolRaskob Foundation for Catholic Activities: Domestic Grant Program
Two US rounds a year: Spring, January 1 to 15 (5 p.m. Eastern), decided end of May; Fall, June 1 to 15, decided end of November. The application form opens only during each window, but you can register on the portal any time.
Next round opens Jan 1, 2027.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolThe NAMM Foundation: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) school award + Opportunity Award
The 2027 BCME application opens October 14, 2026 and closes January 31, 2027. Awardees announced April 2027.
Next round opens Oct 14, 2026.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroom and a teacherMcCarthey Dressman Education Foundation: Academic Enrichment Grants and Teacher Development Grants
The 2026 round is closed. Applications open January 15 and close April 15 each year, or sooner if 200 applications come in, so apply early. Decisions come July 15; checks are mailed August 15.
Next round opens Jan 15, 2027.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolYoung Heroes Project: Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Two steps: pre-application due 5:00 PM MT March 15 each year, full application due 5:00 PM MT April 15 each year. The 2026 pre-application window was January 7 to March 15; the 2027 opening date is not posted.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
Tuition moneyWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolJack Kent Cooke Foundation: Cooke Young Scholars Program
The current application is closed. The next one opens February 4, 2027 and closes April 28, 2027; new scholars are told in September 2027.
Next round opens Feb 4, 2027.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolNational FFA Organization (sponsored by Tractor Supply Company): Grants for Growing
Application opens March 1, 2027 and closes May 17, 2027. Awards announced August 2, 2027. Paper emblem sales at Tractor Supply run February 22 to March 7, 2027.
Next round opens Mar 1, 2027.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroomAIAA Foundation (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics): Classroom Grants
The 2026 window ran August 19 to September 30, 2026 and has closed. Watch the page for the next round.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroomAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (with Nationwide Insurance): Nationwide Educator Resource Grants (free agriculture book and lesson packs)
2026 round offered 430 packs; no open application or next dates posted. If more than 430 educators apply, winners are chosen at random.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolAmerican Foreign Service Association (AFSA): National High School Essay Contest
The 2025-2026 submission window is closed. Yearly contest; 2026-27 topic and dates not posted yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the school, a teacher and the studentBreakthrough Prize Foundation: Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The 2026 round ran May 11 to September 15, 2026 and has closed. Watch the page for the next round.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolColocation America: STEM Grant
The 2026 round is closed to newcomers: the application due October 31, 2026 is only for groups that attended a mandatory info call in July. Past rounds ran in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Watch the page for the next round.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
FellowshipWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacherEarthwatch: Teach Earth Fellowship
The 2026 application closed January 12, 2026 (teams ran late June to mid-August). Earthwatch says it will email people on its interest form when the 2027 application launches.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolGetting Smart (funded by Walton Family Foundation): Learning Innovation Fund: A Big Push for Small Schools
“We are not actively funding any cohorts for the 2025-2026 school year.” It asks people to subscribe to its newsletter for future grant opportunities.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the school and the studentGoogle: Doodle for Google
Yearly. The 2025-26 contest ran October 15 to December 17, 2025, and the winner was announced in June 2026. 2026-27 dates aren't posted yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolHello Alice: Grant matching (rotating partner grants)
New programs launch throughout the year. Its site counted 1 active program on Oct 9, 2026 (a Houston pitch contest), none for Arkansas schools.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolHSLDA: Homeschool Group Grants
“Grants for 2026 have already been issued. Please check back in early 2027.” The focus changes each year.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
Tuition moneyWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the school and the familyIRS / U.S. Treasury (Arkansas has opted in): Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (IRC 25F)
Starts Jan 1, 2027. The IRS lists Arkansas among 30 states that opted in for 2027 (as of Sept 14, 2026). Under the proposed rules, for 2027 only, a state may provide its SGO list on or before Feb 15, 2027 (REG-117199-25). Proposed and temporary regulations were issued Oct 1, 2026.
Next round opens Jan 1, 2027.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolJ.B. Hunt Transport: Company Giving
Requests are accepted only in December, for funding the next calendar year. Its online Company Giving Form doesn’t load outside that window (it returned “page not found” on Oct 6, 2026), so start from the Company Giving page in December.
Next round opens Dec 1, 2026.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolLaura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries (George W. Bush Presidential Center): School library book grants
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open in late 2026, the Bush Center says (May 15, 2026); no dates are posted yet. The 2025-2026 application closed December 31, 2025.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroomNational Agriculture in the Classroom, funded by CHS Foundation and CoBank: CHS Foundation/CoBank Classroom Grants
Yearly. The 2025 cycle opened October 1 and closed November 15, 2025. As of October 10, 2026 the site still shows the 2025 cycle; 2026 dates not posted yet. Projects finish by June 1, final report by June 30.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroom and a teacherNational Art Education Foundation (NAEF): NAEF Grants for art educators
Due October 1 each year (11:59 p.m. Eastern). The October 1, 2026 round has closed. Guidelines are posted on or before August 15, and winners are told June 1.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
FellowshipWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacherNational Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Summer Seminars, Institutes and Landmarks programs for K-12 educators
Yearly. For 2026 programs, applications opened December 8, 2025 and closed March 6, 2026. 2027 dates not posted yet; expect a similar December to early March window.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolNational Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR): American History Essay Contest (grades 5-8) and Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest (grades 9-12)
Yearly contest run through local DAR chapters; the topic and local deadlines are set each school year (2026-27 dates not posted on the national page). Contact a local DAR chapter.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolSnapdragon Book Foundation: School library grants
The application posts at the beginning of November and is due by the February deadline.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolSTOP THE BLEED Project: STOP THE BLEED Grant Program (training kits)
2026 window ran about April 2 to May 31, 2026; yearly program (9th year). Next dates not posted.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolThe American Legion: National High School Oratorical Contest
Starts at the local Post level and goes to state contests; local and Arkansas deadlines are set by the Post and the Arkansas department (not posted on the national page). 2027 National Finals May 14-16 at Hillsdale College, Michigan.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroom and a teacherThe Henry Ford: Teacher Innovator Awards
Yearly. Last contest ran October 13, 2025 to January 29, 2026. Next contest dates not posted as of October 10, 2026. You must join inHub at least 90 days before you register.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
FellowshipWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacherU.S. Department of State, administered by IREX: Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms
Applications typically open in December and close in February; applicants hear back in the summer. Exact 2027 dates not posted.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolUSA Lacrosse: Physical Education Grants
Awarded once a year. The 2026 cycle is closed; the 2027 application opens in June 2027 (USA Lacrosse takes applications starting June 1 each year). Closing date not posted.
Next round opens Jun 1, 2027.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolUSTA: USTA Micro-Grants
The 2026 round is done. USTA says micro-grants “will be available again in 2027” and to apply “when the grants become available early next year.”
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the school and a teacherVoya Financial: Unsung Heroes awards
The 2026 application deadline was extended to April 30, 2026 (3:00 p.m. Central), per the program's application site. 2027 dates aren't posted yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolWalton Family Foundation: Innovative Schools Program
Closed. Future availability not announced; the page points to the foundation's general Grants section, which doesn't take unsolicited proposals.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolYass Foundation for Education (powered by the Center for Education Reform): Yass Prize
Annual. The 2026 winners were named October 6, 2026; the $1 million prize went to a school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 2027 dates aren't posted yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolYouth Service America (YSA): Youth grants: Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants and Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants
Both 2026 rounds are closed (Hershey due March 15, 2026; Sodexo due January 25, 2026). Yearly; 2027 dates not posted. Projects tie to Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day (April 23-25, 2027).
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolDavidson Institute: Davidson Fellows Scholarship
The 2027 application “will open in the Fall of 2026” (no date posted yet). Last year's deadline was February 18, 2026.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolDollar General Literacy Foundation: Youth Literacy Grants (also Summer Reading, Family/Adult Literacy)
Adult, Family and Summer Reading open January 2027. Youth Literacy opens spring 2027.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the family, not the schoolHomeschool C.A.R.E. Foundation: CARE Grant (for families)
Applications are paused right now: the CARE Grant form says it isn't accepting new applications due to increased volume. No reopening date is posted; check back or email contactus@homeschoolcare.org.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolHopey's Heart Foundation: AED Grant Program (donated defibrillators)
Page says 'Please apply again in April 2027!'; decisions made quarterly
Next round opens Apr 1, 2027.
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolState Policy Network: Ed-Prize and Civics Prize
Annual. The 2026 first round ran Mar 16 to Apr 12 and is closed. 2027 dates not posted yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolTarget: Community Engagement Funds
Two windows a year. In 2026: April 6 to May 6 (decisions July) and August 3 to September 4 (decisions November). Target says to come back in April 2027 for Cycle 1.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolUnion Pacific Foundation: Community Ties Local Grants
Once a year. The 2026 round closed April 30, 2026; the next round has not been announced.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
DiscountWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolUSAC (Universal Service Administrative Company), for the FCC: E-Rate (Schools and Libraries Program)
Every year. The 2026 Form 471 window ran January 21 to April 1, 2026, and March 4, 2026 was the last day to post a Form 470 and still meet the 28-day wait. For the next round (FY2027), USAC says the Form 470 “is available to applicants to submit and certify” now (Sept 17, 2026), and the EPC administrative window opens Oct 21, 2026. The FY2027 Form 471 window dates aren't announced yet.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolWhole Foods Market Foundation (formerly Whole Kids Foundation): School Garden Grant
Opens every year in late winter; check back in February 2027 (2026: Feb 1–Mar 15).
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolWomen's Sports Foundation (with ESPN): Sports 4 Life grants (girls' sports programs, ages 11 to 18)
2026 application is closed. 2027 dates not posted; email APeltier@WomensSportsFoundation.org with 'Sports 4 Life' in the subject to be told when it opens. Two steps: letter of intent, then invited full application.
Next dates not posted yet. Check back.
Invitation-only, or being re-checked before we call it open. Each line shows the funder’s own status.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolStanley M. Herzog Foundation: Grants (not open) + free SchoolBox training
Invitation only. No open grant applications. Training events are free.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolWalton Family Foundation: General grantmaking
Invitation only.
Names founders often hear about that a microschool or co-op can’t use, or that no longer exist. We checked so you don’t spend an afternoon finding out. Most were checked for Arkansas schools, and each note says why, so one may still fit a school in another state.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolNewSchools Venture Fund: Innovative Schools
Public schools only, so a private school or co-op doesn't fit.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolFedEx: Small Business Grant Contest
Retired after the 2024 cycle. Sites that still list 2026 dates are out of date.
CrowdfundingWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroomDonorsChoose: Classroom crowdfunding
Public, charter, Head Start and BIE schools only.
CrowdfundingWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroomAdoptAClassroom.org: Classroom fundraising page
AdoptAClassroom.org's help center says homeschools and microschools are outside its scope. An accredited private K-12 school with a licensed or certified staff member can use it; the sign-up page doesn't say whether the school can be for-profit.
LoanWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the schoolGrow Schools (formerly Charter School Capital): Working capital and facility financing
Charter schools only, so private schools and co-ops don't fit.
GrantWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacher's classroom and a teacherNEA Foundation: Student Success and Learning & Leadership grants
Educator grants of up to $5,000 for public-school NEA members only.
One-to-one confidential consulting and market research at no charge for for-profit businesses, with offices in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Magnolia, Russellville and West Memphis.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
Free one-on-one coaches for your business plan and financial statements, offered with ACC’s microloan (for for-profit small businesses).
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
No-cost consulting for entrepreneurs, startups and growth-oriented for-profit small businesses. Also runs Kiva NWA.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
Free volunteer business mentors, through the SBA.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
Not a loan application: a tool to find lenders in your community. Matches come in about two days, with no guarantee of a loan.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
A five-year school financial model built by the Building Hope Impact Fund (which also administers The Lending Lab), free during beta. Its sample school is a demo, not a benchmark.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
Free online training to launch and lead Christian schools, microschools and homeschool co-ops, plus free training events.
Last checked Oct 6, 2026
A Model C fiscal sponsor for charitable projects: $75 a month plus 3.89% of donations. An example, not a recommendation.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
With advance notice, park staff present the same curriculum-based programs offered to public and private school groups.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
A homeschool class series for ages 7–12 ($17 members, $25 non-members per class), and group rates for 15+ from schools or 501(c)(3)s.
Last checked Oct 9, 2026
Free places to dig further, before you pay for a grant search site. They list other people’s grants, so check on the funder’s own page that one fits your school’s setup (LLC, corporation or 501(c)(3)).
Candid’s full database of foundations and the grants they have made, free to use at the library: in person at the 9 Southeast Arkansas Regional Library branches and at Central Arkansas Library System branches (Little Rock), and through Fayetteville Public Library. Call ahead to check hours and access.
Checked Oct 10, 2026
A nightly email of new or changed federal grant postings, for a saved search or for programs you follow. Needs a Grants.gov account. Few federal grants fit a private school, so search before you sign up.
Checked Oct 10, 2026
A searchable list of grants for schools, with filters for state, school type (private is one) and grade. You can search without an account; saving a search needs a login. Run by CDW, a technology seller.
Checked Oct 10, 2026
Free one-on-one consulting for Arkansas small businesses, including putting together a loan package, reviewing a funding proposal and working out how much money you need. They don’t lend money themselves.
Checked Oct 10, 2026
Look up a foundation’s yearly tax returns (Form 990 or 990-PF) to see who it gave grants to and how much. No account needed.
Checked Oct 10, 2026
Paid sites people ask about: GrantWatch and The Grant Portal. Full listings on these need a paid subscription (prices checked Oct 2, 2026).
We couldn’t confirm these on the funder’s own site, so we don’t list them as options yet.
Your school isn’t a 501(c)(3) and the grant says nonprofits only? Here’s what a fiscal sponsor is, and why to ask a CPA first.
An AI that answers only from the listings and guides on this site, with links to each one. It can still be wrong, so check with the funder. Not legal or tax advice. Please don’t share personal information. Chats are processed by ElevenLabs and kept for 90 days to improve the guides (privacy).
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The national programs on this page aren’t tied to one state. Arkansas has a full guide so far. Tell us your state and we will add states one at a time, starting with the ones schools ask for most.
The Homebook app already works in any state. Asking for your state’s ESA or EFA program means the tools built for that program.
Funders ask small schools for the same few things: an EIN, a separate bank account, a budget, proof of enrollment. Here’s that list in plain English.
What funders ask a school forNot legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.
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