Funding Intelligence
Funding intelligence, grant insights, and resources to create more opportunities for school communities.
Imagine More Learning Opportunities
Education budgets are increasing in complexity, and navigating the current federal and state conditions impacting your community isn’t always easy. We’re here to help.
Find the help you need, including:
- Federal funding overview
- Education investment strategies
- Private sector grant opportunities
Federal funding overview
The federal government provides funding to schools through its primary agency, the U.S. Department of Education. Federal funding for education can be broken down into three buckets: formula, discretionary, and response formula grants. The largest amounts of money traditionally come through Title I under ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
The federal government contributes about 8–10% of U.S. public school budgets; the rest of school funding comes from state and local funds, such as tax revenues. Federal funds are given to SEAs (State Education Agencies) who sub-grant funds to LEAs (Local Education Agencies).
Main sources of federal education programs
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Supplements state and local resources and supports students from low-income families and low-achieving schools.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 7.2 million eligible students and adults (ages 3–21 years old) served under IDEA, Part B.
Response Formula Grants
Funds issued through relief stimulus packages such as the CARES, CRRSA, ARP Acts (i.e., ESSER I, ESSER II, ESSER III, GEER I, GEER II, EANS I and EANS II funds) and other relief funds when critical needs arise, such as health emergencies, natural disasters, and other emergency events.
Federal PreK–12 education grants
Grant type: formula
Uses formulas determined by Congress to allocate funds to SEAs and LEAs.
Examples of Funds:
- Title I, Part A “Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged”
- Title I, Part C “Migrant Education Programs”
- Title II, Part A “Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants”
- Title III, Part A “English Language Acquisition”
- Title IV, Part A “Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants”
- Title V, Part B “Rural and Low-Income School Program”
- IDEA, Part B “Grants to States”
Grant type: discretionary
Awarded using a competitive grant application process.
Examples of funds:
- Title IV, Part B “21st Century Community Learning Centers”
- CLSD “Comprehensive Literacy State Development”
- School and Community Improvement Grants
- Well-Rounded Education Grants
- Grants for Special Populations
- Charter School Programs (CSP) Funds
- Early Learning Grants
- Safe and Supportive Schools
- Teacher Preparation Grants
Competitive and Discretionary Grants
Competitive grants
Across the country, SEAs issue varying competitive grants for eligible districts and schools to apply to a wide range of subject areas and education initiatives pertinent to the issuing state. Competitive grant funds typically derive from enacted legislation through dedicated appropriations, state funds, or even awarded federal grants.
It’s good practice for LEAs and school communities to frequently monitor SEA communications (e.g., website postings, newsletters, memos, press releases, grant system alerts, etc.) for a competitive grant opportunity for the current or subsequent school year.
Discretionary grants
The U.S. Department of Education provides a variety of discretionary grants which are awarded using a competitive grant application process for eligible entities. These grants are traditionally issued during each federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) through USED’s principal offices (e.g., Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, etc.) that administer the discretionary grant program. Each principal office will have different governance, funding terms and levels, program goals, objectives, and even desired results.
Let us help you with any questions or support on your grant application submission.
Federal Grant Spotlight
Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants
- Purpose: Per the CLSD grant program, the discretionary grants are to “create a comprehensive literacy program to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for children from birth through grade 12, with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, including children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.”
- Recent Award: $194 million to 23 states
- Awarded States: Check out our interactive map for the awarded entity, term, grant award, and the publicly issued project goals.
Discover how our evidence-based literacy solutions and professional learning offerings can support your CLSD grant program and goals!
Funding STEM learning breakthroughs
Funding for STEM programming in the United States is extensive across federal, state, and local government entities, private individuals and institutions, and non-profit organizations. Accurate levels for every source are difficult to determine, but, broadly, the primary funding sources are:
ANNUAL FEDERAL FORMULA FUNDS
Leverage the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) formula programs for supplementary STEM education.
STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS
Programs vary by state and local jurisdiction.
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
Corporations, foundations, individuals, and other private organizations provide grant opportunities for STEM education.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Government entities award STEM grants to eligible education organizations through competitive grant applications.
Learn more in our PreK–12 STEM Funding Guide.
Quick guide to education investment strategies
|
Investments |
What Imagine Learning Delivers |
High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) |
K–12 learning solutions that support the boundless potential of students in more than half the districts nationwide. Empowered with data and insights from educators, we innovate to shape the future of education with a robust, digital-first portfolio of school services and core, courseware, and supplemental solutions.
|
Literacy and science of reading |
A comprehensive English language arts (ELA) suite designed so each student has a pathway to literacy. Imagine Learning offers core curriculum solutions that are effective, innovative, and student-centered, plus a research-proven supplemental solutions focused on literacy and language development. Our evidence-based curricula and instruction align to the science of reading. |
Artificial intelligence (AI) |
Trusted, research-backed insights and instructional support that improve learning outcomes for students and their teachers. Through our Curriculum-Informed AI™ philosophy, we are building and integrating AI across our portfolio to align with high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and evidence-based instructional practices. |
Data and assessments |
Screening, diagnostic, and formative assessments to enable precise, personalized learning and support informed instructional decisions. Imagine+ Assessment seamlessly integrates with Imagine Learning’s ELA and math supplemental solutions. |
High-intensity tutoring |
Expert, on-demand virtual tutors provide real-time student support using a secure online platform. Equitable access to one-on-one support gives students the guidance they need to move on to more complex concepts with confidence. |
Small Group Instruction |
Highly qualified certified teachers provide Small Group Targeted Instruction (SGTI) to intensify acceleration pathways for students’ academic achievements and engagement in mathematics, English language arts (ELA), science, social studies, English language development (ELD), and test prep. |
Summer and extended learning |
Flexible options help customize summer or extended learning programs that move students toward their full potential. Summer and extended learning programs are ideal opportunities for students to work on grade-level skills, receive targeted intervention, or accelerate their learning. |
CTE and skills-based learning |
A robust catalog of highly relevant career and technical education (CTE) courses empowering students to explore their career or job interests by engaging with learning experiences across different careers and industries — including multiyear support for high-demand, high-interest careers and job certification exam readiness. |
Special education |
The Imagine Ascend™ portfolio addresses two critical needs that challenge special education programs: sustainable answers to staff shortages and equitable approaches to increase student success and graduation rates. Speech Teletherapy and Exceptional Education Services provide learners with the accommodating instruction and supportive community they need to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. |
Professional learning |
Targeted training, customized sessions, and practical resources to give educators everything they need to be successful. Job-embedded coaching and professional learning help build a collaborative community, with teachers and administrators sharing best practices in instruction. Imagine Learning partners with educators to ensure they implement our classroom solutions with fidelity; learn how to support all students in a blended, hybrid, or virtual classroom; and engage learners. |
What priorities does your state have for using ARP ESSER III funding?
Watch our guide to state funding guidelines with Senior Grants Director Dana Pawinski.
Imagine Learning’s Qualified Programs
Our evidence-based solutions qualify for many PreK–12 current federal funding programs
Imagine Learning’s products, solutions, and services align to state and local funds as well as a variety of federal formula and discretionary funds and competitive grants not featured in our chart. All Imagine Learning solutions meet the ESSA evidence standards and can be used for the implementation of evidence-based interventions, programs, and activities. Learn more about Imagine Learning’s ESSA effectiveness by exploring our evidence at imaginelearning.com/essa-effectiveness. Funding alignment subject to change.
Private Sector Grant Opportunities
Education philanthropy continues to rise
As many school community leaders remain concerned with a potential economic recession and school community leaders are concerned with budget shortfalls or a lack of funds, there are many critical decisions districts and schools are facing to ensure the most critical PreK–12 education needs are funded and can be sustained for future academic years.
Aside from the primary PreK–12 funding revenue streams deriving from state and local governments and the federal government (primarily from the U.S. Department of Education), districts and schools may also apply to competitive grant opportunities across a variety of grantmakers such as individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations.
Imagine Learning’s Donor Grant Toolkit
Imagine Learning is here to support the boundless potential of your students and school communities. In this toolkit, Imagine Learning’s Grants and Funding Initiatives team shares helpful resources and tips on donor relations, secrets and guides for your grant-seeking and grant-writing efforts, and resources to support your district and school communities in researching potential grants — across a variety of donors — to further support your education programs and initiatives.
This toolkit will help your school community pursue donors, reduce your preparation and grant writing time, improve the quality of your grant applications, and increase your chances of being selected for funding.
Imagine Learning’s Donor Grant Toolkit provides you with support to:
- Identify your education needs
- Find potential donors
- Engage and steward donors
- Pursue funding opportunities
- Write grant applications
Imagine More Learning Opportunities
Find out how our evidence-based programs can meet your funding requirements and deliver a return on your investment.