Identifying classroom funding
School budgets are tight these days, and getting classroom funding to pay for the instructional materials you need can be hard. Discover eight strategies used by teachers to successfully fund important resources, including educational technology, that can help save you time in the classroom.
Tip #1: Do your research!
Start by doing your research! What do you already know about school funding, and what knowledge could you be missing? Be sure to educate yourself about how school funding works in your specific state and district. Talk to colleagues, know your district and state’s educational priorities, and read the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Certain states, such as Ohio, require by law that budgeting for textbooks and instructional materials, plus school board financial statements, are public information. If this is true in your state, you can easily find out how much money your district has and where the money goes. The more you know about funding and priorities in your school and district, the better you can find multiple sources of funds.
Tip #2: Make a plan for your funds
Before you ask for resources or funding for classroom materials, figure out what you want, why you want it, and what it will cost.
It sounds simple, but you really don’t want to waste your time—or anyone else’s—when you make a request.
To get prepared, it’s helpful to ask yourself:
- What problem do you want to address with the instructional materials you’re looking for?
- How will this solution help your students?
- What is the total cost this year and any subsequent years?
Write out your answers to these questions so they are firmly defined. Now you’re ready to find money to fund what you want.
Tip #3: Where’s the money?
There is money available at your school. You just might not know about it (yet). Principals often keep discretionary funds that they can use for whatever they want. Department chairs, principals, curriculum coordinators, and special needs coordinators all have money for specific projects, and your request could fit their requirements.
If your curriculum materials do fit the needs of a specific project, be ready to champion the product with efficacy data! Your request could have benefits beyond your own classroom.
Tip #4: Who else has money?
You can also ask the Title I coordinator, technology coordinator, CIP/SIP Committee, Treasurer, or Superintendent for funding. They all have control over parts of the budget.
Don’t know any of those people? Find people who will introduce you!
Here’s another great tip from a teacher: Find out what kind of fancy coffee your school treasurer or Chief Financial Officer likes, and bring it to them! Ask them how funding works at your school, and learn all you can from an expert!
Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to ask!
Reach out to your community and ask for help! People do want to help but often don’t know how. Reach out to the parents at your school and explain what you need.
PTOs and PTAs will occasionally fund special projects for teachers using the dues and donations they collect. Sometimes schools leverage school fees for special projects, too, and that money may be available for you. There may also be organizations in your community, like rotary clubs or local businesses, that may be willing to donate. Don’t be afraid. Ask!
Tip #6: Get creative!
If your community is low on resources, you may have to get creative with your outreach. Many teachers have found success using sites like DonorsChoose.org to get the necessary technology or resources. Some companies also offer grants to teachers. For example, ExploreLearning has a math grant Grant Program to help exceptional teachers get access to our math fact fluency and fractions mastery programs.
You may need to get creative to stand out from the pack when you post on a site like DonorsChoose.org, though. To make your case as convincing as possible, you can make a video, share it over social media, post pictures, and send out a link for others to share.
Tip #7: Consider your timing
It’s important to pay attention to the calendar when you’re looking for funding. Since budgeting always happens in the spring, start your research in January. Whatever you do, don’t wait to ask in September! The money has usually all been spent by then.
Tip #8: Success! Now what?
Congratulations! You did your research and performed outreach, and now you’ve been funded! Now you can relax, right? Wrong! Make sure you set yourself up for future funding success first.
You’ll want to start by saying “thank you” to everyone who helped you get the materials you needed. You might want to consider inviting the funding parties (plus more) into your classroom to see your class use the solutions and materials they helped you buy. You’ll also want to evaluate the effectiveness of the materials you received and share the results with other teachers.
Also, be smart about spending and using what you have. Pass on materials when you’re done, and make sure you follow up on any promises you made.
Finally, share what you know and get involved in your district. You can become a fiscal mentor and support other teachers’ efforts to get the needed materials.
Download 8 Tips to Help Teachers Find Money