Grants to Support Your Peer Programs

Community Service Initiatives proposed by non-profits and faith-based groups in the US are funded by the State Street Foundation to generate and sustain positive change. Each year they distribute about $20 million in grants, and last year funded a youth group program that assists students in the transition from high school to postsecondary education/employment for $500,000. Deadlines are rolling, and applications require a letter of intent.


Viola W. Bernard Foundation Grant provides grant funding to innovative programs 

that address the interplay between social conditions and the psychological health of 

children and families. Proposed projects should emphasize individual psychosocial 

services such as peer assistance, mentoring or coaching as part of larger programs in community psychiatry, with a preference given to projects and programs in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. More information and guidelines for submission is available online.



Pepsi Refresh Everything Project Grants are available in a Monthly competition to individuals and organizations with innovative project  ideas, including peer assistance and mentoring, to help develop character and establish service-based perspectives. At the beginning of each month Pepsi assesses the first 1,000 applications received and 

then creates an online voting system.  Grants vary in size and each month approximately $1.3 million (US) will be awarded. Details online. Questions can be directed to Young America at (700) 768-2784.


The Coca-Cola Foundation supports projects that provide youth with educational opportunities to become productive citizens, including mentoring, coaching, and peer assistance projects. The Foundation is interested in unique solutions to problems that impede successful programs. Grants are typically made to public and private colleges 

and universities, elementary and secondary schools, teacher training programs, educational programs for minority students and global educational programs. Projects that focus on staying in school and student retention are supported. All 

applications must be submitted online.



The Tiger Woods Foundation provides grants that focus on under-served youth ages 5-17 in the US. The grants are in the average range of $2,500-$25,000. Year-round mentoring and peer tutoring are approved program areas they fund. Deadlines for applications are four-times per year.


Travel Grants for Students to Attend Conferences on topics such as peer assistance, mentoring or coaching are available from the Do Something Foundation. Applicants must be 25 or under and be either a US or Canadian citizen. Grants are typically $500.00 (US), and there is no application deadline.


UniHealth Foundation Grants to Hospitals for health education, prevention and

treatment programs, including innovative ways to disseminate health information 

such as peer assistance. Prevention projects can include peer-based injury and violence prevention as well as caregiver support services. Funding is available 

throughout the year, and details are available online.


The California Wellness Foundation provides grants to residents of and nonprofits in California to improve the health of the people of California through health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. Grant requests are 

accepted anytime, and are typically between 20,000US to $300,000US. Applications are available online.


The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is providing grants to projects that support cognition and student learning, improving educational leadership, and the social and behavioral context for academic learning, all of which can include peer assistance, mentoring and coaching. In addition NCSER will consider applications that specifically address 

early career development and mentoring in special education research.  Deadlines dates depend on the specific grant focus. 


Seed Grants to Start Community Action Projects with Friends is a $500

grant given out by DoSomething.org every week in the USA to help young people

develop project ideas and programs such as peer mentoring and peer coaching that 

are just getting started, or to jump-start a program. No deadlines.


The Awesome Foundation provides grants monthly of $1000(US) with no strings attached for “crazy, brilliant” projects around the world. The Awesome Foundation is an entirely independent and self-funded community. Each group  personally 

commit to contributing $100 each month to  form the single $1,000 grant. As of June 10, 2015 they have funded 1557 projects.


Roots & Shoots Community Campaign Mini-Grants  

Deadlines:  April 15, May 13

Know a teacher or group leader in the U.S. who could use a mini-grant for their service campaign? Roots & Shoots is giving away more than $50,000 in mini-grants this year! Mini-grants are awarded in a $200 VISA giftcard. 

 

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes  

Deadline: April 15

The Barron Prize celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. Each year, 15 winners each receive $5,000 to support their service work or higher education.


Greening STEM Integration Grant for Educators 

Deadline: April 5

NEEF, with major funding support from the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA), is offering $500 - $1,000 grants for teachers, after-school programs, and nature organizations for projects that support the integration of Greening STEM into current or new programming or curriculum. Grants funds can be used to cover costs associated with delivering programs, including curriculum/materials development, field trips, program supplies, transportation, and professional development.

 

EPA Environmental Education Grants 

Deadline: April 8

Under the Environmental Education Grants Program, the EPA supports environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. For this current grant cycle, EPA expects to award approximately 30 grants nationwide, each 

with a maximum award of $91,000.

 

Roots & Shoots Community Campaign Mini-Grants 

Deadlines: April 15, May 13

Know a teacher or group leader in the U.S. who could use a mini-grant for their service campaign? Roots & Shoots is giving away more than $50,000 in mini-grants this year! Mini-grants are awarded in a $200 VISA giftcard.

 

Carton 2 Garden Contest

Deadline: April 13

Show us your students' creativity by re-purposing milk and juice cartons from your school cafeteria to either build or enhance your school garden. Educators can engage students in a hands-on experience creating teachable moments on environmental stewardship, sustainable packaging and healthy living. The best use of cartons in a school garden gives your school the chance to win one of 14 prizes with a grand prize valued at $5,000.




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