Grants and Partnerships

What is a Partner?

Partners are organizations that provide services and resources to staff and students free of charge. Corporations and foundations that support schools and district-wide initiatives with financial gifts and resources aligned to the MIRACLES priorities and strategic goals are considered partners

Vendors are organizations whose services are associated with a fee. Approval must be granted in advance to ensure the services are directly aligned to the Strategic Plan. Any services to schools or the district requiring a fee must be approved in advance.

If you would like to register as a vendor, access the vendor registration form.

Register as a vendor

1. Email the Grants and Partnerships Department at grantsandpartnerships@dekalbschoolsga.org and complete the following Partnerships Interest Form.
2. Meet with the Grants and Partnerships team, school site administrator, and/or department leader to discuss the details of the partnership, alignment to the school and district initiatives, and the MIRACLES Priorities or you can email a brief overview of the partnership.
3. After a decision is made to proceed, an agreement will be reviewed for approval. You will be contacted if any additional information is needed.
4. Documents will be submitted for legal review and approval to obtain the Superintendent’s approval and signature. Finally, you will be contacted with next steps.
5. Contact the following Grants and Partnerships Department at grantsandpartnerships@dekalbschoolsga.org, if you have any questions regarding the grants and partnerships process.

All agencies, institutions of higher education, non-profits, and others who wish to partner with DeKalb County School District on a grant application should complete the external grant request form. The Grants and Partnerships Department is responsible for processing grant requests from both internal and external constituents.

Invitations and requests must be received 4 – 8 weeks in advance for review and a decision before any deadlines.
Staff in DeKalb County School District schools, centers, and departments interested in submitting grant applications to outside sources should complete the internal grant request form.

Please follow the district’s grants procedures, prior to submitting a grant that exceeds $1000, and/or prior to partnering with an external organization.

At no time will grants, partnerships, or donations requiring matching funds be approved without the appropriate authorization. This authorization process begins with the Division of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships.

GENYOUth End Student Hunger initiative

A simple grant application could bring new nutrition equipment, expanded physical activity opportunities, and student-led wellness initiatives directly to your school, helping students stay healthy, engaged, and ready to learn. The GENYOUth End Student Hunger initiative is now accepting applications for nutrition equipment grants through the GENYOUth School Wellness Portal.

2026 Community Impact Grant Program

What project could transform your school’s learning environment or community space if the resources, materials, and volunteer support suddenly became available to bring it to life? Here’s a way to get it done: Lowe’s is accepting submissions for its 2026 Community Impact Grant Program as part of a five-year, $100 million commitment to revitalizing community spaces. The initiative will fund up to 100 large-scale renovation projects and over 2,000 additional community improvements in partnership with local organizations. The deadline for submissions is March 20th.

Innovative Education Fund (IEF)

It’s no secret that some of our greatest breakthroughs for students often begin with the creativity, resourcefulness, and commitment of our innovative educators and forward-thinking school leaders. I am pleased to share an exciting opportunity that aligns directly with our District’s commitment to engagement, transformation, and measurable student achievement gains: the Innovative Education 
Fund (IEF), offered through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.

Good 360

Good360 is a nationally respected nonprofit that connects schools and community organizations with donated products from leading retailers and manufacturers. Since 1983, Good360 has distributed more than $25 billion in donated goods to over 100 million people globally, ensuring that 
excess does not go to waste but instead opens doors to opportunity.

Tickets for Kids

Imagine a lesson that continues beyond the bell. Picture students entering a museum, a science center, a concert hall, or a ball game, and suddenly viewing the world and their potential in a new light. That is the promise of Tickets for Kids, a national nonprofit partner now available to support DCSD schools serving primarily low-income and at-risk students. Through this no-cost ticket distribution program, students gain access to arts, cultural, educational, and athletic experiences that inspire hope, spark curiosity, and strengthen engagement.

The Walking Classroom

Here's a no-cost, evidence-based instructional opportunity that supports student engagement, academic growth, and physical wellness across a variety of learning settings, including the regular school day, after-school and summer programs, Special Education classrooms, and multi-age learning environments.

Toshiba America Foundation

Here's a high-impact funding opportunity designed specifically for middle and high school educators who are ready to elevate STEM instruction through innovative, project-based learning. The Toshiba America Foundation is accepting applications from grades 6–12 classroom teachers for grants of up to $5,000 to support creative STEM projects with clear, measurable outcomes. This opportunity provides additional funding for educators looking to test innovative teaching methods, enhance student engagement, and implement new, hands-on learning experiences.

Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grants

Here's an accessible and impactful philanthropic opportunity that aligns directly with the needs we see every day in DeKalb County’s schools and communities. The Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grants program offers $10,000 community grants to support local, grassroots nonprofit organizations providing direct assistance to families and students.

School Crashers® Makeover Program

We know our schools are places of learning, care, and connection. For many students and families across DeKalb County, they also serve as reliable sources of nourishment, stability, and support. I am pleased to share that School Crashers® Makeover Program nominations are open for 2026 through January 31st. I strongly encourage you to consider nominating a school whose facilities could use a transformation to better serve students and families.

Panera Bread’s Day-End Dough-Nation Program

Across DeKalb County, many of our students and families continue to experience the daily strain of food insecurity. At the same time, local businesses are looking for meaningful ways to give back. I am pleased to share an opportunity that links these two realities in a very practical way: Panera Bread’s Day-End Dough-Nation Program.  

The National Park Trust

The National Park Trust has announced the 16^th annual Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program in celebration of Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday in 2026. This is a terrific opportunity for DeKalb’s Title I schools to design student-driven, standards-aligned field experiences in partnership with our remarkable national parks and historic sites.

Target’s GiftCard and Great Giftogether Holiday Program

As we enter the holiday season, many of our students and families are facing genuine financial stress. Here are two practical, low-lift ways your school can help: Target’s Local Store GiftCard donations and the annual Great Giftogether holiday program

Target has a long history of investing in local communities. Since 1946, the company has directed 5% of its annual profits back to communities through products, cash, and the Target Foundation. That commitment translates into millions of dollars in support every week, and our schools are eligible to access a portion of that help. 

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award recognizes schools that prioritize music education for all students. A BCME designation elevates your ensemble’s work, strengthens advocacy with families and partners, and helps sustain staffing, schedules, and student access. Beginning in 2026, honorees may also qualify for Opportunity Awards of up to $5,000 to support underfunded programs. Applications are due by January 31, 2026, with winners announced in April 2026.

The Walmart Foundation’s Healthier Food for All (HFFA)

Here’s a timely opportunity to strengthen academics and reduce food insecurity for our students and families. The Walmart Foundation’s Healthier Food for All (HFFA) invests in organizations that expand access to healthy food and build confidence in selecting, preparing, and serving nutritious meals, especially in underserved communities.

The Justin J. Watt Foundation (JJWF)

The Justin J. Watt Foundation (JJWF) invites after-school athletics programs to apply for equipment and uniform funding that directly expands access, builds character, and boosts student engagement. If your middle-grades (6–8) program meets between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. and your school serves a community with ≥60% Free/Reduced Lunch, you qualify to apply.

The ALDI Community Gift Card (ACGC) Program

The ALDI Community Gift Card (ACGC) program offers gift cards ranging from $100 to $1,000 to support after-school and out-of-school youth programs, as well as food banks and pantries that purchase essential products. This program is a quick and flexible way to address small barriers that can significantly impact student engagement, attendance, and readiness to learn.

Amazon Future Engineer Curriculum and Teacher Trainings

The Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) program, an extension of the Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge, provides free access to CoderZ’s virtual robotics modules for 1,000 Title I teachers during this school year, which can serve up to 150 students per educator over a six-month period. After a three-hour introductory challenge, teachers can assign students to more advanced modules tailored to their grade level and abilities.

Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grants - Round 4

The Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education have launched Round 4 of the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grants. This initiative is designed to enhance partnerships with quality-rated childcare providers and align literacy practices with those of Pre-K and kindergarten students. Grant awards of up to $5,000.

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Instrument Grants

Looking to enhance student access to music and improve engagement? Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF) Grants provide new, high-quality instruments and equipment to schools in low-income communities, helping to strengthen existing music programs. Grants aim to expand current offerings—like adding beginning strings to a general music curriculum—rather than start new programs. MHOF has donated more than 39,000 instruments to over 1,800 schools.

Ben Carson Reading Projects THINK BIG

The Ben Carson Reading Project helps schools create inviting Reading Rooms with engaging books and student-friendly furniture strategically designed to promote independent reading and reflect Dr. Carson’s THINK BIG philosophy. So far, the project has established over 300 Reading Rooms in 24 states- including Georgia- and D.C., expanding access to enjoyable, everyday reading for students who need more practice with engaging books.

Teacher Innovation Grants

Are you ready to transform your classroom with a powerful idea that inspires deeper learning and student engagement? The Teacher Grants for Innovation, offered through the Georgia Teachers Initiative and funded by the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, are designed to support creative, classroom-based projects that lead to measurable improvements in student achievement.

DonorsChoose for Small Asks and Big Wins!

Founded in 2000 by Bronx teacher Charles Best, DonorsChoose was created after he observed that educators often spend hundreds of their own dollars each year. The platform helps classrooms secure funding for additional resources. So far, DCSD educators have raised $5.7 million from more than 22,500 donors, supporting nearly 10,000 projects for over 3,000 teachers. These resources are shipped directly to schools.

Georgia Outdoor Learning Project Grant

The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, is offering an exciting opportunity through the Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration (GOLD) Projects Grant for 2025–26. This competitive grant funds innovative outdoor learning projects that can transform schoolyards and community spaces into engaging, hands-on classrooms.