Are you having a hard time finding the funding to bring the TOPS program into your classroom? When local administration can’t afford to finance the TOPS program it is often possible to find support elsewhere. There myriad public and private grant foundations that are looking for innovative teachers. Many of our teachers who could not obtain funding from their departments have been able to get grants from these organizations to complete the TOPS program. Below is a brief summary of a variety of grants available to teachers interested in participating in TOPS. If you would like more information about applying for grants or know of similar grants that are not listed below, please contact us.

Grant Title: Brinker International Grant
Website: http://www.brinker.com/company/givingback.asp
Eligibility: With some minor restrictions, anybody may apply for the grant.
Deadline: Ongoing application.

Brinker International (owner of Chili’s Grill & Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and Big Bowl Restaurants) believes in giving back to the communities in which it is located.  They have numerous restaurants through-out the Los Angeles area. Brinker International gives over $3 million a year to a wide variety of charitable causes.

Grant Title: A variety of education initiative grants are available from the Broad Foundation
Website: http://www.broadfoundation.org/home.html
Application Deadline: Rolling application

The Broad Foundation’s mission is to dramatically improve K-12 urban public education through better governance, management, labor relations and competition.

Grant Title: Education in the Community Grant
Website: http://www.medtronic.com/foundation/
Eligibility: Must be a school in a Medtronic community. For more information on Medtronic communities consult their website.
Deadline: Ongoing application

The Medtronic Foundation provides a limited number of grants to support various educational programs in Medtronic communities. Examples include K-12 math competitions, economic education programs, preparatory programs for college or technical school, and higher education science, engineering, and health scholarships and programs. Limited support is also available for local education needs from preschool to higher education.

Consult these websites to learn more about obtaining grants:

• www.schoolgrants.org – a fantastic resource for finding grants. Also contains tips on applying for grants.
• www.technologygrantnews.com – Technology grant news provides information on current grants. Requires a subscription.