We know that funding a transformative environmental science program can be a challenge, but we're here to help! Below are some fundraising ideas and resources that many of our schools, teachers, and students have used in the past to make outdoor learning more accessible.
Grants
- Kids to Parks School Grants Program- Up to $1k for an in-park field trip for Title I, Pre-K through 12 classrooms.
- Every Kid Outdoors- For elementary school children w/ special emphasis on 4th graders.
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)- Congress allocated $1.1 billion for Title IV, Part A of Every Student Succeeds Act.
- Target Field Trips- Funds up to $700 for field trips to enhance their studies in the arts, math, science, and social studies.
- Philanthropic Ventures- Funds up to $500 for field trips via an Environmental Science Resource Grant to TK-12 grade teachers working in low-income public schools from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. Each school is eligible for up to 5 grants per year, one per individual teacher, totaling $2,500 per school.
- Save the Redwoods League- Awards range between $1,500-$5,000 for educational programs in a redwood forest. Can be used for one-day or three to five day trips.
- Quadratec Cares Energize the Environment- Offering two $3,500 grants per year—one each in the spring and fall—to an individual or group currently pursuing a program or initiative designed to benefit our environment.
- The Kemper Foundation's Read Conmigo Grant Program- Up to $3,000 will be awarded annually to K-5 bilingual/dual language (Spanish-English) teacher in CA. Eligible counties include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernadino and Ventura.
Crowdfunding
Restaurant Nights
Product Sales
In-School Event Fundraisers
- Movie nights- Organize a movie night for the school to watch. You can charge a small admission fee and sell "theater" snacks as well. Usually hosted on a Friday or Saturday night, movies can be watched indoors or outdoors depending on the weather.
- Bake sales
- "A-thons"- Hike-a-thons, walk-a-thons, jog-a-thons, etc.
- Car washes
*SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WASHINGTON SCHOOLS*
Outdoor Schools WA
Outdoor Schools Washington exists to help every student in our state have an outdoor school experience. Currently, they can reimburse $75 per student per day for programming as well as room and board. In addition, they can reimburse $50 per student for transportation costs. We encourage you to reach out to outdoor schools directly, as they're keen to fund reimbursements for as many schools as possible and they're eager to hear from you! Review the evolving website listed above and email: support@outdoorschoolsWA.org with any follow-up questions.