Funding and Grant Opportunities for Personal Finance Teachers

Educators who teach personal finance can prepare students to tackle their finances long after K-12. But where can teachers find the resources — and more importantly the funding — to do so?

That’s where grants come in.

Let’s face it, school supplies and field trips are expensive. Not every classroom has dedicated resources to devote to supplementary curriculum, which oftentimes is what personal finance falls under. The additional funding that grants provide can drastically improve educators’ quality of teaching and students’ experiences.

Thankfully, there is ample opportunity for teachers to receive funding to implement personal finance education. Here’s where to start.

Educator professional development

You can’t become a master of finances overnight. Educators who wish to teach personal finance should start with professional development opportunities. The appropriate training will help teachers deliver accurate, standards-aligned personal finance information to students.

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program

This fellowship program allows K-12 teachers to participate in an 11-month position in federal agencies or U.S. congressional offices. Teachers bring their STEM experiences back to the classroom with a deeper understanding that will benefit students.

Fund for Teachers

This grant allows teachers to design their own professional development opportunity. Through the application process, teachers will plan objectives, motivations, and the impact that their continued learning will have on their students.

McCarthey Dressman Teacher Development Grants

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation awards up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of $20,000 over two years to individuals or teams in K-12 education. The grant allows educators to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom to foster professional training and growth.

NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education

The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education awards grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to support the professional development of public school teachers and faculty. This grant can be used towards funding summer institutes, research, mentoring, and lesson study experiences. The goal is to improve practice, curriculum, and student achievement.

Classroom resources

Whether it’s classroom materials or a field trip, finding the funding for interactive, innovative learning methods can be difficult. With the help of these classroom resource grants, teachers can expand on their students’ money knowledge.

Suggestions: a hands-on art project to illustrate the power of currency with play money, a class trip to a local credit union with guest presentations, or a team economics competition with varying prize levels.

Kids In Need Foundation Supply A Teacher Program

The Supply A Teacher program from Kids in Need Foundation aims to furnish teachers with enough school supplies to last for one semester so they can foster creativity and critical thinking skills in students.

NEA Foundation Student Success Grants

Another NEA Foundation grant, this one allows public school teachers to apply for the funding of a 12-month program to improve student achievement. Teachers must submit a plan to expand students’ knowledge of various subjects and we think personal finance should top the list! The grant will fund resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and technology.

Financial education grants

There are several general grant opportunities to provide individual teachers or educational institutions with funding that can be directed towards personal finance initiatives.

General Grant Program

The General Grant Program is funded by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. Educators may apply for research and educational project funding of approximately $50,000 to $100,000. The project must advance understanding of the relationship between financial literacy, capability, and well-being with a lasting impact beyond the two-year grant duration.

Small Grants

Provided by Amcor Cares (formerly the Bemis Company Foundation), the Small Grants That Enrich Communities Program can be applied to by an educational institution for the purpose of K-12 educational enrichment programs. An extra $1,000 is a great starting point for developing a school-wide personal finance program.

TEACH Grants

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program offers up to $4,000 each year to students completing coursework towards a teaching career. As a condition for receiving the grant, students must agree to a TEACH Grant contract, stating that they will teach in a high-need field, at a school that serves low-income students, and for at least four years. Applicants must complete their teaching service obligation, otherwise, the TEACH Grant will become a loan that the student must repay in full.

Voya Unsung Heroes

The Voya Unsung Heroes grant is well-suited for K-12 personal finance educators short on funding. Each year, 100 finalists receive a $2,000 grant. Historically, 45 percent of programs that received funding were STEM, and about 12% included economics. This means that chances are high for personal finance programs!

The bottom line

Grants are free money that can create opportunities in low-funded schools and classrooms. Educators who take advantage of grants can make financial education more accessible to students who may otherwise go without it. Once you’ve found a funding opportunity, read up on how to write a grant proposal to secure the money you need.