Paying For Our Programs

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Urban Gateways Grants

Arts Grants Resources for Schools & Teachers

CPS-Only Grant Resources

Funding Streams for UG Programs

 

URBAN GATEWAYS GRANTS

TARGET GRANTS
Urban Gateways is excited to be partnering with Target to be able to provide select Chicagoland elementary schools with free programming. Each selected school will receive a Touring + Immersion Workshop. For more details visit our Target Grant Application page.

 

 

ARTS GRANTS RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS & TEACHERS

Compiled by the CPS Office of Arts Education & Urban Gateways

ADOPT A CLASSROOM
Adopt-A-Classroom partners donors with teachers so you can have funds to purchase critical resources and materials for your classroom. http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/index.aspx

AIRBORNE TEACHER TRUST FUND
Various funds made available for the classroom and educators http://www.airbornetrust.com

CITY OF CHICAGO CULTURAL GRANTS
City of Chicago provides grants for Artists and Art projects. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/progs/grants.html

DANA FOUNDATION
Grants available for Arts Education dealing with the brain development. http://www.dana.org/artseducation.aspx

DIGITAL WISH
Teachers can build a wish list of classroom technology products and submit lesson plans for funding at http://www.digitalwish.com/

DONORS CHOOSE
DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that matches teachers who have classroom needs with donors who want to help. Here's how it works:

  • Public school teachers post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.
  • Then, donors browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires them. 

Post your project on DonorsChoose.org today>>

DONORS FORUM
Many grants available to schools. They have a library to research all grants available for your type of project. http://www.donorsforum.org

EDUTOPIA’S GRANT LIST
George Lucas' (film director) educational foundation dedicated to improving K-12 learning process through digital media etc.; very comprehensive program; provides grants for educators. http://www.edutopia.org/grant-information

LOWE'S GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS
Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program, funded by the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, awards up to $5,000 for school improvement projects. Grant applications for projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are encouraged. Get more information at http://toolboxforeducation.com

MOCKINGBIRD FOUNDATION
Founded by Phish fans, offers six grants supporting music education for children. http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GRANTS FROM NEA FOUNDATION The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. Applications may be submitted at any time and are reviewed three times per year: October 15, February 1, and June 1. Get the details at http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm

TERRA FOUNDATION
Grants are awarded to arts organizations and CPS departments. Terra provides initiatives for teacher grants for professional development; extensive grants for developing visual arts programs focused on American art. Applications online. http://www.terraamericanart.org/

YOUNG ARTS FOUNDATION
Organization supports American’s most talented 17-18 year olds in the visual, literary and performing arts; program is extensive including master teachers from their field working directly with students; scholarships etc http://www.youngarts.org/master-teachers

 

CPS-ONLY GRANT SOURCES

CPS External Resources and Partnerships Office Free Things "Wish List" Program
Chicago Public Schools has a page where you can make wishes and they may come true. It also has a link to free items upon request. http://www.helpcps.org/freethings/

Chicago Foundation for Education grants
Chicago Foundation for Education $500 small grants enable CPS elementary teachers to design, implement and disseminate their own innovative curricular project. Available now! Apply online at http://www.cfeteachergrants.org

CPS Grant Opportunities
CPS provides a listing of grant opportunities at http://grants.cps.k12.il.us/grants.aspx

Teacher Incentive Grant Oppenheimer Family Foundation for the Chicago Public Schools
Offers small grants for arts projects up to $2000. Easy application must be in by the Fall of each school year, grants presented in early December for use for the school year. Will fund multiple projects from the same school. http://www.offtig.org/

 

FUNDING STREAMS FOR UG PROGRAMS

Ever changing educational priorities require a constant push for more arts within schools and school districts. Below is a list of funding streams for our programs:

  • U.S. Department of Education Title I, II, and V
  • Principal’s discretionary funds
  • Professional development funds
  • School improvement funds
  • Corporations and foundations
  • Head Start funds
  • After-school funds
  • School and community fundraisers
  • Individual donors
  • PTA/PTA funds
  • Community business partners
  • Office of Arts Education funds
  • Juvenile Justice funds
  • United Way funds
  • Community Development funds