Grants for Schools

Schools in the UK are mainly funded through LEA funding. Schools are usually able to spend the majority of their funding as they see fit and as best meets their needs and those of the students.

Additional to this funding, however, there are a variety of grants available. These grants for schools are often for a specific purpose and they are offered by a wide range of organisations.

School grant applications will usually need to demonstrate that resources are not available within the school’s current funding.

What Can Schools Get Grants For?

Grants are available for schools so that they can develop and improve in various ways. For example:

• Schools can apply for grants for equipment such as books, stationery and resources.
• Grants are available for schools to stage events or organise trips.
• Grant money is available to develop certain subject areas such as music, art or science.
• Schools may apply for grants to develop, improve or expand their building, grounds and facilities.
• Sports grants are available to promote exercise and sporting activities for young people.
• Environmental school grants are on offer to promote the use of green technologies and renewable energy in schools.
• ICT grants to develop schools’ IT resources.
• Some grants provide money for childcare and health and social care facilities within schools.

Who Provides Grants for School?

Grants for schools are on offer from both large and small organisations. Some of the main school grants on offer are available from:

• Lottery Funding – This includes funds from National Heritage, the Arts Council and the Sports Council.
• European Funding – This includes funding from Structural Funds, Community Initiatives and Community Action Programmes.
• Single Regeneration Budget – These funds are intended to support regeneration initiatives, for example schemes which create employment, develop skills or have a positive environmental impact.
• Trust Funds – There are a number of UK trust funds which give out small or local awards to fund various school equipment and resource needs.
• Private company and charity grants – A number of private and commercial companies and charities offer grants for schools. Examples are the Foyle Foundation and the Tree Council.

Some school grants are offered ‘in kind’ rather than through funding, for example in the form of land, buildings or capital.

Finding out about Grants for Schools

Finding out about grants for schools is not always easy. One way to find out about the latest grant opportunities is to compile a list of resources – places which annually or regularly offer school grants – and check them regularly. Use the sources listed above as a good starting point for your research.

Sign up to grants websites which provide alerts and regular newsletters on the latest funding opportunities.

There are sites such as the Grants4schools website which provide a central resource for school grant information. These sites do charge a fee but offer a centralised information resource which many schools find valuable. Searchable grant databases, calls for proposal alerts and deadline reminders can save schools time and money.

Information on trusts which offer school grants and funding opportunities is available from the Charities Aid Foundation Directory of Grant Making Trusts.