Funding Ideas

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 

• GoFundMe
• DonorsChoose 

Restaurant Nights 

• The Habit
• Panda Express
• Chipotle
• GroupRaise 

Product Sales

• See's Candy
• Innisbrook Wrapping Paper
• Entertainment Coupon Book
• Equal Exchange
• Amazon Associates 

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