K-12 Public School Improvement Projects

Posted by on August 22, 2011

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Invites Applications for K-12 Public School Improvement Projects
Deadline: October 14, 2011

The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program, funded by the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, provides grant awards of up to $5,000 to support school improvement projects at public schools throughout the U.S. Now in its sixth year, the program has donated over $25 million to more than five thousand K-12 schools, benefiting over two million schoolchildren.

For the 2011-12 program, basic needs will take priority. There is a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/cleanup projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. Please note the grant money cannot be used to pay for memorials, stipends, salaries, artists in residence, field trips, scholarships, or third party funding.

Sample project ideas include reading gardens, vegetable gardens, physical fitness areas, school landscaping projects, school nature trails, parent involvement centers, peer tutoring centers, playgrounds, and rotating student art exhibits.

Any individual U.S. public K-12 school or nonprofit parent group associated with a public K-12 school is eligible to apply. Parent groups that are applying (PTO, PTA, etc.) must have an independent EIN and official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Groups without 501(c)(3) status should apply through their school. Preschools are not eligible.

Grant request must be between $2,000 and $5,000 per school. Lowe’s will donate $5 million to schools and school parent/teacher groups at more than one thousand different schools during the school year.

The deadline for submitting applications for the fall 2011 grant cycle is October 14, 2011. However, if 1,500 or more applications are received before the application deadline, the application process will close.

Visit the Toolbox for Education Web site for complete program guidelines, application materials, sample project ideas, and successful sample grant application.

http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/