The arrival of fall means your students are back in school. This year, we saw an increased challenge for teachers and schools as they struggle with the lack of resources to meet the demands of a new school year. We read about many, many of you reaching deep into your personal pockets ($479 deep according to this article!) to make the learning experience for your students conducive to a supportive school climate.

We also witnessed the tragic impact that many schools, most recently in the southeastern region, have had to overcome due to devastation from Mother Nature. One of our team members experienced, first-hand, the weather disruption by Hurricane Florence. Her family, including her school-aged children, has been displaced and left homeless. As she shares her story about the social and emotional affects to her children, we are reminded of community supports in time of need. Whether grants or fundraising efforts, we see signs of financial giving and support when we look around us.

Donorschoose allows teachers to crowdfund for classroom supplies and resources. Often, generous benefactors will match donations for specific subject areas or windows of time. This fall, several celebrities and philanthropists matched donations for various subject areas.

GoFundMe is another site that enables fundraising through online sharing. GoFundMe is the #1 site for crowdfunding campaigns, which range from raising money for family emergencies to supporting local school projects.

This fall, we also noticed many foundations stepping up with grants to purchase basic classroom needs.  Though the most recent deadlines have passed for some of these programs, there are a number of groups that offer financial support.  The American Association of Educators offers classroom grants to support projects, materials such as books, software, manipulatives and more.  The Kids in Need Foundation offers an online fundraising toolkit to help with classroom supplies.  Target offers grants to support field trip excursions for classrooms.

Search GrantsAlert.com to find more opportunities to support your classroom.  We hope your fall is off to a happy, safe, productive, well-funded start.