Classroom and School Grants
For over 35 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County has helped teachers transform their lessons and classrooms to meet their students’ unique needs.
Today, more than ever, we understand the urgency to support teachers by providing access to tools that help close achievement gaps and make learning more innovative and hands-on for students.
Classroom Grants
Applications are accepted during two funding cycles:
- September 1 – September 30, 2026
- Award notifications by October 15, 2026
- November 1 – November 30, 2026
- Award notifications by December 15, 2026
Projects may include classroom materials, equipment, educational activities, field experiences, technology, and collaborative initiatives that improve instructional outcomes and engage students in meaningful learning.
DonorsChoose Match
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s DonorsChoose Match will open January 15, 2027.
- Match begins: January 15, 2027.
- Eligible projects must be posted on or after January 15, 2027.
- Dollar-for-dollar match for eligible Sarasota County Public Schools projects (excluding Classroom Basics and Food, Clothing & Hygiene).
- Match will remain open until all available matching funds are awarded.
School Staff Well-Being Grants
New for the 2026-2027 school year!
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is pleased to introduce the School Staff Well-Being Grant Pilot, a new competitive grant opportunity for eligible K-8 schools. These grants are designed to support school-based strategies that strengthen educator well-being, staff morale, strengthen school culture, and support staff retention.
Principals are encouraged to identify the unique needs of their staff and propose meaningful well-being activities that best support their school community. Applications may include school-designed initiatives, professional learning, workshops, or other sustainable strategies. Principals may also choose from a menu of vetted professional learning providers as part of their proposal.
How Grant Funds May Be Used
Grant funding may support activities such as:
- Principal-designed well-being initiatives
- Professional learning and workshops
- Resilience and stress management
- Communication and relationship-building
- Team culture and collaboration
- Trauma-informed practices
- Other school-based strategies that support educator well-being
Eligibility and Application Criteria
- K-5, K-8, and 6-8 Schools only
- In this pilot year, only district-managed public schools are eligible
- Application must be submitted by the school principal
- One award per eligible school
- Competitive grant – not all schools will be awarded
Funding
- Competitive grants of up to $3,000
- Schools proposing the HumanizEDU Burnout to Bliss 90-day school-wide digital experience may request up to $5,000.
Options
- Resilient Retreat workshop (several to choose from) – $750/workshop
- HumanizEDU Burnout to Bliss, 90-day self-paced digital experience for your entire staff, with lifetime access for every staff member on campus, $5,000 school-wide.
- Standard workshop (principal self-selects vendor) – up t0 $3,000 max award
Key Dates
- Applications Open: August 3, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
- Award Notifications: September 23-25, 2026
- Disbursement 1: By Jan 4, 2027
- Disbursement 2: By March 12, 2027
Questions: tmcnamee@edfoundationsrq.org
Grant Writing Resources (Coming Soon)
Resources to help you prepare your application, including a recorded grant writing tutorial, will be available soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are classroom grants?
Thanks to donor generosity, the Education Foundation provides as much as $200,000 annually in classroom grants through TWO different grant programs: the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s Classroom Grant and DonorsChoose. With these grants, teachers and schools receive vital financial support.
- Awards up to $1,000 support classroom supplies, equipment, activities, field trips, and other instructional resources.
- Awards from $1,001 to $5,000 support collaborative projects involving four or more teachers across grade levels or content area—or even across the entire school.
What is DonorsChoose?
DonorsChoose is an organization that connects donors to teachers so that they can access resources, materials, and supplies easily and quickly. Teachers from across the country request donations for their projects and receive funding from donors anywhere in the world. DonorsChoose then provides the requested items for the teachers.
What kinds of projects are supported by DonorsChoose?
DonorsChoose funds items from these 14 categories:
- Computers and tablets
- Instructional technology
- Books
- Classroom basics
- Lab equipment
- Flexible seating
- Reading nooks, desks, storage
- Sports and exercise equipment
- Educational kits and games
- Art supplies
- Musical instruments
- Food, clothing, hygiene*
- Virtual class trips
- Virtual class visitors
*Please note: The Education Foundation’s DonorsChoose matching campaign will not match projects in the Classroom Basics or Food, Clothing & Hygiene categories.
Learn more about these categories:
Why is the Education Foundation using DonorsChoose in addition to its regular application process?
We want to provide teachers in Sarasota County Public Schools with as many funding opportunities as possible. Beginning January 15, 2027, the Education Foundation will offer a dollar-for-dollar match for eligible DonorsChoose projects posted on or after January 15, 2027. Matching funds are available until the $50,000 match allocation is fully awarded.
Can I apply for one grant through DonorsChoose and another through the Education Foundation website?
Yes, if each project represents the type of grant that will be funded through each platform. (See the process and guidelines for applying directly.) Please note, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County requests that teachers post no more than two projects during a DonorsChoose matching campaign.