Grants and Partnerships
Overview

DeKalb County School District believes it takes everyone in our community working together to ensure that all students are prepared for college, careers, and life. Our district uses innovative solutions to support the education of our scholars, and this work would not be possible without the support of teachers, parents, community members, businesses, and nonprofits.
The Grants and Partnerships Department provides support to all schools, centers, departments, and community organizations. Grants and Partnerships supports the mission and goals of DeKalb County School District by leveraging partnerships between schools, businesses, and other organizations to secure additional resources. We solicit the support of local, state, regional, and federal partners as we strive to build sustainable relationships that will provide resources to maximize student success.
Are you interested in partnering with DeKalb County School District (DCSD)?
We are eager to collaborate with organizations and individuals who are dedicated to supporting our students, schools, and communities. To initiate the process, please complete our Partnership Interest Survey Form linked below. Upon submission, a member of the Grants and Partnerships Team will reach out within 48 to 72 hours to discuss the next steps. We look forward to connecting with you!
Partnership Interest Survey Form
Formalizing Your Partnership with DeKalb County School District (DCSD)
Organizations seeking to establish a formal partnership with a DeKalb County School District (DCSD) site are required to complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU delineates the scope of services, roles, and responsibilities, ensuring a mutual commitment to student success and alignment with district objectives. To assist you in this process, we have provided a document containing MOU FAQs. This resource offers step-by-step instructions, required documentation, and important timelines.
Before initiating the MOU process, please ensure that your organization has submitted a Partnership Interest Form.
What is a Partner
What is a Vendor?
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
Funding Focus Friday
Kid Spark Education STEM Equity Grants Program
The Kid Spark Education STEM Equity Grants Program can help eligible DCSD schools turn curiosity into confidence by giving young students more opportunities to build, question, solve, discover, and see themselves as future STEM thinkers.
The BOOK IT! The Summer of Stories
The BOOK IT! The Summer of Stories™ program, offered by Pizza Hut, is a free summer reading incentive for students in Pre-K through 6th grade. During June, July, and August, families can enroll their children via the official BOOK IT! Mobile App, set customized monthly reading goals, track progress, and help students earn digital Reading Award Certificates® for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® at participating Pizza Hut locations.
The American Heart Challenge, sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA), gives middle and high school students a meaningful way to strengthen wellness, leadership, service, and school engagement while supporting the fight against heart disease and stroke. This service-learning program helps students “feel good by doing good” through activities that promote physical wellness, mental well-being, health equity, and meaningful social responsibility.
Teacher Grants for Innovation Award
A strong classroom idea should not stay on paper, and the Teacher Grants for Innovation Award can help DCSD educators turn creative instruction into measurable student impact. The Georgia Teachers Initiative, through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE), is accepting applications for this round of the Teacher Grants for Innovation Awards. This easy-to-apply-for grant provides $500 to $2,500 to Georgia public school teachers with innovative projects designed to improve learning outcomes and make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.
The Department of Grants and Partnerships is pleased to share an opportunity for schools to explore support through Shoes That Fit. This national nonprofit organization provides new athletic shoes to children in need so they can attend school prepared to learn, play, and thrive. Shoes That Fit began in 1992 and now serves children across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, helping address one of the most visible signs of childhood poverty.
Javits-Frasier Educational Leadership Program
I am pleased to share an outstanding professional learning opportunity for eligible DCSD educators: the Javits-Frasier Educational Leadership Program through the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). This program is designed to equip passionate educators with the knowledge, mentorship, and advocacy skills needed to expand access to talent development opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse students who have been historically underrepresented in gifted education. It is an especially strong fit for educators who want to grow as equity-minded leaders while strengthening student opportunity and achievement in their schools.
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Stars Grant Program
Because DCSD is committed to expanding innovative, student-centered opportunities that prepare learners for success in college, careers, and life, I am pleased to share the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Stars Grant Program. This promising funding opportunity supports advanced STEM programs serving middle and high school students in grades 6 through 12. The foundation looks for programs that spark students’ interest in STEM, strengthen college and career readiness, provide project-based learning, offer specialized pathways, and connect students to real-world experiences through partnerships with colleges, research institutions, and STEM-related industries.
Here is a timely opportunity to help DCSD open more doors for girls through sports, leadership development, and wellness support, while bringing new resources directly to school-based programs. Sports 4 Life is a national initiative cofounded by the Women’s Sports Foundation and ESPN to expand access to sports for underserved girls ages 11 to 18. The program supports sustainable, structured sports experiences that strengthen girls’ health, confidence, leadership, and overall development.
Kids in Need Foundation's Supply A Teacher Program
This opportunity is especially meaningful because it helps reduce the personal financial burden many educators quietly carry each year while ensuring students have access to the basic materials needed for daily instruction. It also aligns well with the DeKalb County School District’s continued commitment to equitable access, strong learning environments, and meaningful support for schools, students, and families.
A stronger school library, a richer classroom library, and more student access to quality books can make a meaningful difference in reading growth and classroom engagement. With that goal in mind, here’s an opportunity that may help schools expand literacy resources for students while strengthening their reading initiatives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 16th 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.
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.
