Find Nonprofit and Small Business Grants

Grants of up to $2,500 to Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee PreK-12 teachers to benefit children in need in the Memphis Metro area. The purpose of this program is to enhance the children’s quality of life by supporting and encouraging teaching excellence. Funding will enable teachers to provide creative and original learning experiences beyond the basic curriculum allocated through school budgets.

The focus of the 2019-2020 Innovative Teaching Grants will be Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). Qualifying projects will incorporate STEAM into their plan with higher awards integrating cross-curriculum and impacting 75 or more students.

In general, funds may be used for artist visits to classroom, computer software, tickets to performing or visual arts events (not to exceed more than 50 percent of grant monies), consumable materials and supplies.

Grant Categories:

• General Education: Classroom supplies that aim to foster creativity and critical thinking in students. Supplies must be re-usable for multiple school years.
• Professional Development: Professional development must foster insightful and innovative professional training and growth; improve practice, curriculum and student achievement.  Recipients must put professional leadership into practice by sharing what they learn with their colleagues. Cannot be used to fund a degree. Funds may be used for registration for PD, PD speakers and other professional development expenditures. 
• Integration of Financial Literacy: Create a plan/project that seeks to expand the parameters of the classroom by providing ongoing financial literacy opportunities. Funds may be used towards local nonprofit partners such as Junior Achievement, Bank on Memphis’ “On My Own,” the RISE Foundation, or other financial mediums. Funds may also be used for registration for events, admission prices, and other field trip expenditures. 
• Integration of STEAM: Create a plan/project that fosters critical thinking and problem solving in students and aims to expand their comprehension and integration across STEAM curriculums. High impact projects that engage 75 or more students are encouraged. Funds may also be used for registration for events, admission prices and other field trip expenditures.