Lowe's Toolbox for Education Accepting Applications for Fall 2012 K-12 Public School Improvement Projects

Funded by the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, the Lowe's Toolbox for Education programprovides grant awards of up to $5,000 to support school improvement projects at K-12 public schools in the United States. Now in its sixth year, the program has donated over $25 million to more than five thousand schools.

For the 2012-13 school year program, the foundation will give priority to basic necessities. There is a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor), as well as landscaping/cleanup projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are encouraged. (Please note: the grant money cannot be used to pay for memorials, stipends, salaries, artists in residence, field trips, scholarships, or third-party funding.)

Sample project ideas include reading gardens, vegetable gardens, physical fitness areas, school landscaping projects, school nature trails, parent involvement centers, peer tutoring centers, playgrounds, and rotating student art exhibits.

Any individual U.S. public K-12 school or nonprofit parent group associated with a public K-12 school is eligible to apply. Parent groups that are applying (PTO, PTA, etc.) must have an independent EIN and official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Groups without 501(c)(3) status should apply through their school. Preschools are not eligible.

Grant requests must be between $2,000 and $5,000 per school. Lowe's will donate $5 million to schools and school parent/teacher groups at more than one thousand different schools during the school year.

The deadline for submitting applications for the fall 2012 grant cycle is October 12, 2012. However, if fifteen hundred or more applications are received before the deadline, then the application process will close.

Visit the Toolbox for Education Web site for complete program guidelines, application materials, an FAQ, and sample project ideas.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Primary Subject: Education