Initial program costs for a PA TIC program range from $1,000-$1,500. These funds help to purchase all equipment necessary to transform a 55-gallon aquarium into a mini-coldwater ecosystem. Many teachers have been successful in raising external funds for TIC field trips and release days, watershed stewardship and civic action projects, programming supplies, tank and related equipment, and other expenses, by approaching the following types of community businesses/organizations:

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• Local Trout Unlimited chapters - Contact your local chapter(s) FIRST for funding! Find a chapter near you HERE.
• Community Foundations
• County/Municipal Governments (some county commissioners provide funds to local groups for unique projects. Yours is unique and has many connections to local and state agencies.)
• Water Authorities
• Electric Companies
• Manufacturing Companies
• Local Businesses
• Local Fraternal Clubs (Elks, Moose, etc.)

After PA TIC teachers have explored local, community-based options for funding, many look at sustaining their program's start-up and continued costs through external grants and/or donations. Please explore the many grant opportunities below!

Corporations

• McDonald’s MAC grant (up to $500.00): This grant is for ongoing programs/projects like TIC. One of the PA TIC teachers has been awarded the grant TWICE! Furthermore, her local McDonald’s representative told her to let them know if she needed anything else, AND has come to their release day!
• Target (field trip grants up to $1,000.00): Those of you struggling to find funds for your field trips, please take a look at this opportunity in addition to the PA TIC grants.  Grant round runs from August 1st through September 30th each year.
• Walmart ($250 - $5,000): Walmart provides grants on a local level to community organizations and schools. TIC programs fit best under the “Sustainability" core area. Grant cycle typically begins in February, with application deadlines typically in December.
• FirstEnergy (STEM classroom grants up to $1,000): Proudly supports classroom projects and teacher professional-development initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) within their service area. 

Environmental Grants

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• North American Association for Environmental Education
• DEP Environmental Education Grants 
• ​Environmental Protection Agency
• Toyota TAPRESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program
• Captain Planet Foundation: Grants up to $500 (and possibly $2,500) are being offered for environmental education programs for youth. Application deadlines: September 30 (typically for spring and summer projects) and January 31 (typically for fall and winter projects)

Wildlands Conservancy's "Climate Change in Our Watershed" middle school program, funded with an Environmental Education Grant

Other Funding Opportunities

• DONORS CHOOSE: An online charity that allows anyone to donate to a classroom. Teachers post project requests on the site and people can chose to donate any amount towards the project.
• ​​Just Born Candy Company: For individuals in and near Lehigh and Northampton Counties
• Association of American Educators: Grants of up to $500 for books, lab materials, art supplies, and other materials. 
• Toshiba American Foundation: Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) grants fund the projects ideas and materials teachers need to innovate in their math and science classrooms. TAF is interested in funding projects designed by teachers or small teams of teachers for use in their own schools.
• The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation: Offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students’ knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them.The Academic Enrichment Grants provide funding for programs that nurture the intellectual, artistic and creative abilities of children from low-income households.
• The Entomological Foundation Chrysalis Fund: LOVE BUGS!?!? The Entomological Foundation, in partnership with the Entomological Society of America, provides and supports the President's Prize Awards for educators who are able to develop successful lesson plans that incorporate insects as an integral part of the curriculum. Two awards are offered, one for primary education (grades K-6) and one in secondary education (grades 7-12).
• American Honda Foundation: The American Honda Foundation engages in grant making that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. They support youth education with a specific focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment.
• National Education Association Foundation: The NEA Foundation provides NEA members with grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools in any subject area. The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology,
• Melinda Gray Adria Environmental Foundation: The foundation's grant program is designed to empower and encourage students to become involved in solving environmental and social problems; promote thoughtful and appropriate analysis and understanding of the natural world; and train students as informed decision makers through the emphasis and application of basic ecological principles. Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded in support of environmental curricula that embrace a holistic approach;  synthesize multiple levels of learning (facts, concepts, principles); include experiential integrated learning and problem solving; and are founded on basic scientific principles, including hypothesis testing and experimental design.

Do you know of a funding opportunity for teachers in environmental, watershed, or fisheries education that belongs on this list? Please email Rachel Kester, PATU Program Director, at [email protected].