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Grants & Funding
Planning an unforgettable school trip can be one of the most rewarding experiences for both you and your students, but we know that finding the right funding can often be a challenge. That’s why we’ve gathered a comprehensive list of grants and funding resources to help make your next trip a reality.
Whether you’re taking your class to explore history, science, or the arts, there are resources available to ease the financial burden and ensure that every student can participate.
Take a look at these opportunities designed specifically for educators like you to enhance your students’ learning outside the classroom!
Unique Fundraising Ideas Whitepaper
Unique, proven fundraising ideas collected from real teachers by the nation’s largest student travel organization.
Funding Articles
Cultivating resilient coral species in nurseries and transplanting them onto damaged.
Grant Opportunities
Cultivating resilient coral species in nurseries and transplanting them onto damaged.
Helpful Funding Articles
Budgeting for Student Trips and Affordable Educational Travel Experiences
Every student travel planner wants to craft the perfect itinerary. A common problem? Budget constraints. Here’s how to plan an economical, top-notch trip for students.
State and National Park Programs Perfect for Student Groups
An abundance of programs and financial support from state and national parks means that teachers need not stress when planning student trips.
Student Discounts and Teacher Resources for Group Education Trips
Calling all educators and trip planners! We’ve compiled invaluable teacher resources, including student discounts and where to find them.
Assistance Opportunities
Opportinities in
Alabama
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
Muscle Shoals, AL
If you’re planning a field trip to Bankhead National Forest to learn about Alabama’s biodiversity, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to learn about our music heritage, Oakville Indian Mounds Museum, and Education Center to learn about Native American culture or any other significant site within MSNHA’s six counties, consider applying for one of the available field trip grants.
McWane Science Center
Birmingham, AL
McWane Science Center’s Educational Scholarship Fund can be used to assist with the cost of field trips and outreach programs. Funds are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for Title I and other qualifying schools and organizations in Alabama. The scholarship will cover the cost of admission into the Adventure Halls for students, as well as an optional education program (subject to availability).
Alabama State History Field Trip Scholarships
Montgomery, AL
Alabama State History Field Trip Scholarships are available to fourth-grade students across Alabama who lack the financial resources to participate in class field trips to Montgomery that include tours of the Alabama State Capitol and/or the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Huntsville, AL
Explore genetics concepts and biotechnology careers with your class at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The hands-on, laboratory-based field trips put high-tech biotechnology tools in the hands of your students and engage them in scientific thinking. Funding is available for Alabama public schools to offset HudsonAlpha-associated field trip expenses. This funding includes either a full-day or half-day field trip experience, along with a lunch for each student and chaperone for experiences lasting more than 3-4 hours.
EarlyWorks Children’s Museum
Huntsville, AL
EarlyWorks Museums tirelessly seeks funding throughout the year in an effort to help educate children in the community through hands-on learning during field trips to the museums. This funding can be used to assist with the cost of field trips and outreach programs. Once received, funds are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for Title I and other qualifying schools and organizations in Alabama. These field trips combine history and science into a fun-filled educational experience.
Opportinities in
Alaska
Alaska State Council on the Arts
Statewide
Excursion Grants, bringing Kids to Arts, are awards of up to $600 ($1,000 for eligible Title I schools,) to support transportation and admission costs incurred in attending arts and cultural events, and/or visiting recognized arts and cultural venues in Alaska. Cultural Collaborations Excursions Grants are a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, with support from Rasmuson Foundation. Only public or nonprofit schools in Alaska may apply.
Opportinities in
Arizona
Salt River Project (SRP)
Desginated Arizona counties
Grants are available to selected Arizona teachers looking to incorporate creative ways to keep their students engaged in STEM and social science projects. Every year, the SRP Classroom Grants Program offers two types of grants: STEM Grants provide up to $5,000 for school projects that incorporate innovative teaching strategies in mathematics and science. Social Science Grants provide up to $2,500 for the disciplines of history, geography, civics, government and economics.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
Statewide
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is pleased to announce a grant designed specifically for Arizona educators. The goal of this program is to provide financial resources (up to $3,000) to Arizona teachers to help implement quality wildlife education in their classrooms or on a field trip to one of the many public lands in Arizona.
Opportinities in
Arkansas
Arkansas State Parks
Statewide
Schools can receive up to $1,000 specifically for that purpose thanks to the Arkansas State Parks Field Trip Grant Program. The grants will focus on a classroom visiting the park during the school year. Priority will be given to field trips that align with the school curriculum and are between September and April.
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Little Rock, AR
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in partnership with the Arkansas Humanities Council offers travel grants to help students visit the museum for interactive programs that enhance teaching of World War I and II, as well as learn about the historic Arsenal Building and Civil War Arkansas. The grants offer up to $750 to public schools and community colleges during the fall and spring semesters.
Opportinities in
California
Friends of Sutter’s Fort & Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Sacramento, CA
With the help of their donors, Friends of Sutter’s Fort is proud to provide financial assistance to help students experience the power of field trips at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Educators often face financial barriers that prevent them from participating in field trips. From program fees to transportation costs, these grant programs are designed to help teachers overcome these barriers and create a meaningful out-of-classroom experience for their students.
Parks California
Statewide
Parks California’s Route to Parks grants program was established to reduce transportation barriers and help more people get to a state park, so they can begin to develop a connection, appreciation, and love for nature. This program is made possible through a public private partnership, supported by private fundraising by Parks California, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Waterway Connections Initiative. Grant funding can help schools facilitate access to state parks and create memorable experiences for students.
California State Parks
Statewide
Blended-access combines both digital and in-person experiences to provide deeper sequential learning. In the context of the PassPORTS program, blended-access usually consists of a live virtual connection to the park prior to an in-person field trip, but could also include other digital pre- or post- field trip engagement tools such as videos, VR/AR, and Project Based Learning. The PassPORTS grant covers up to $1000 of field trip costs through our reimbursement process. The final grant amount is calculated based on the receipts and invoices received. If you are coordinating for large groups under the same grant (multiple classes, full grade levels, etc) the maximum amount may be increased.
The Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest
Orange County, CA
The purposes of the Community Grant Program are to simultaneously (1) encourage those involved broadly with the Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation to actively think about the educational needs in the communities of Boston, Hartford, New York, Washington, D.C., Orange County and London (UK); (2) recognize, encourage and collaborate with the front-line educators who often do not have a voice in funding decisions; and (3) provide funding to assist with small, concrete projects or needs which will improve education in underserved communities, within a year of the grant award. (Grants are geographically limited to proposals that benefit educational programs in Boston, Hartford, New York, Washington, D.C., Orange County and London (UK). Applications seeking funds for use outside of the boundaries of these cities will not be considered).
Opportinities in
Colorado
History Colorado
Statewide
The History Colorado Bus Fund offers field trip assistance to underrepresented schools wishing to visit any History Colorado museums. The funding covers bus transportation (driver and fuel). Schools are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements and paying for the bus. Applicants must complete the application below and submit a State of Colorado Substitute W-9 for the school district. Schools do not need to qualify for Title I funding. Bus Fund Reimbursements are on a first-come, first-served basis according to when the request was submitted, not the date of your field trip.
Denver Public Schools Foundation
Statewide
The A to Z Fund provides grants to individual schools for programs and activities that go beyond the limits of schools’ budgets. Through this program, the DPS Foundation provides grants to schools for educational materials, athletic equipment, enrichment classes, competition fees, field trip expenses and more. These grants are available to any DPS school to enhance classroom learning and the fund helps to provide equal opportunities for students district-wide to participate in enrichment opportunities.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Statewide
All schools attending a guided or self-guided field trip to any of the Gardens’ three locations, York Street (Denver) , Chatfield Farms (Littleton) and Plains Conservation Center (Aurora), are eligible for a Transportation Scholarship. Transportation Scholarships are limited to one per grade level per academic year and may be submitted any time after scheduling of the field trip is complete. Schools are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements and paying for the bus. A reimbursement check will be sent after the completion of your field trip. Scholarships provide reimbursement for up to $300 per bus, with a limit of one bus for every 50 students attending the field trip.
Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area
Fort Collins, CO
Learning in Our Watershed (LIOW) supports K-12 students’ exploration of the people, places, heritage, and natural habitats of the Cache la Poudre River. Through LIOW, educators can connect with resources and experiential education programming along the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. LIOW is designed to take learning from the classroom to the great outdoors, for improved student well-being while simultaneously developing a sense of connection to nature and the heritage area.
Opportinities in
Connecticut
CT Office of the Arts
Statewide
Experiencing and participating in the arts is an essential part of creating strong communities and developing healthy, engaged, and creative students. The Every Child Art Experience grant awards $2,500 to schools to fund bringing students to an out-of-school arts event, program, or activity. It prioritizes schools in Alliance and Opportunity Districts to help close the gap in arts access.
Connecticut Space Grant Consortium
Statewide
The NASA CTSGC awards K-12 field trip scholarships for aeronautics, aerospace and STEM-related activities to specific locations including the New England Air Museum, Connecticut Science Center, Van Vleck Observatory, SHU Discovery Museum and more.
The Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest
Hartford, CT
The purposes of the Community Grant Program are to simultaneously (1) encourage those involved broadly with the Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation to actively think about the educational needs in the communities of Boston, Hartford, New York, Washington, D.C., Orange County and London (UK); (2) recognize, encourage and collaborate with the front-line educators who often do not have a voice in funding decisions; and (3) provide funding to assist with small, concrete projects or needs which will improve education in underserved communities, within a year of the grant award. (Grants are geographically limited to proposals that benefit educational programs in Boston, Hartford, New York, Washington, D.C., Orange County and London (UK). Applications seeking funds for use outside of the boundaries of these cities will not be considered).
Opportinities in
Delaware
Delaware Art Museum
Wilmington, DE
Art Smart Fund for Student Enrichment – Grants are currently available year-round on a rolling basis for youth field trips through the Museum’s Art Smart Fund for Student Enrichment. Funding supports tour admission and transportation costs. All public, private, and parochial schools in any state are eligible to apply. The total value of this grant is up to $500.00 per award. Applicants will be notified of their status within 5 business days from the application date.
Delaware Division of the Arts
Statewide
TranspARTation Grants support transportation costs of up to $500 for schools to travel to Delaware arts and cultural institutions and venues in order for students to attend arts performances, events, and exhibits.
Opportinities in
Florida
Guy Harvey Foundation
Statewide
Field trips encourage students to engage with STEAM concepts in meaningful real-world ways and reinforce learning in the classroom. The Guy Harvey Foundation provides a limited number of student field trip grants, up to $1,000 per field trip, for Guy Harvey Conservation Schools. Guy Harvey Conservation Educators may apply on behalf of their school for this field trip grant. These funds are provided to offset the cost of travel and other field trip expenses. Field trip grants are open to current K-12 Guy Harvey Conservation Schools. Guy Harvey Conservation Educators may apply on behalf of their school and be awarded one Guy Harvey Field Trip Grant per academic year per educator.
Florida Farm Bureau
Statewide
The Women’s Leadership Committee provides multiple $250 mini-grants to certified Florida educators who are engaged in classroom instruction at the pre-K to 12th grade levels. The mini-grant program supports agricultural education through projects that include field trips and other related projects.
Education Foundation of Sarasota County
Sarasota County, FL
For over 35 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County has helped teachers transform their lessons and classrooms to meet their students’ unique needs. Today, more than ever, they understand the urgency to support teachers by providing access to tools that help close achievement gaps and make learning more innovative and hands-on for students. Awards up to $1,000 for Sarasota County teachers are used for classroom supplies, equipment, activities, field trips, and related items.
Opportinities in
Georgia
Georgia Civil War Commission
Statewide
The State of Georgia has sights, sounds, and stories about the Civil War that cannot be found anywhere else. With the plethora of places to visit, the entire state is a field trip mecca; however, for many classrooms, the cost of visiting even local sites makes a trip prohibitive. The Georgia Civil War Commission’s Field Trip Fund provides funding and assistance to K-12 classes, school club students, and homeschoolers, that would allow students and teachers/ chaperones to visit Civil War sites within the State of Georgia.
Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia
Statewide
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), in partnership with the non-profit Environmental Education Alliance, Inc., (EEA) invites qualified applicants to submit GOLD Grant applications for the purpose of engaging preK-12 public school students in more frequent, high-quality outdoor learning experiences. Schools, school districts, non-profit organizations, or public agencies are welcome to apply, and project beneficiaries must be Georgia public school students. Funded activities include professional learning for educators, schoolyard improvements, supplies for outdoor learning, and/or field trips. Grants range from $500 – $5000.
Georgia Council for the Arts
Statewide
Arts Education Program Grants support arts programs delivered to K-12 students in a variety of disciplines, including visual art, music, theatre, dance, media arts, and creative writing. Grants range from $1,500 to $8,000.
Opportinities in
Hawaii
Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation
Statewide
Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation Field Trip Grants help bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawaiʻi’s environment. Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation offers financial assistance up to $1,000 per school to Hawaiʻi public schools which otherwise could not afford to participate in environmental field trips. Most field trip locations provide hands-on learning experiences for students grades K-12 and offer educational tours that can be customized to any grade level.
Opportinities in
Idaho
Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission
Statewide
The IRRC’s mini grants are available for outdoor schools, field trips, research and activities that concern education about Idaho’s rangelands.
The Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Statewide
The Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society has a long history of promoting aquatic education efforts. In 2013, the Chapter formally established an Aquatic Education/Trout-in-the-Classroom Grant to assist Idaho K-12 teachers with aquatic education efforts. This may include the Trout-in-the-Classroom program, field trips to facilitate learning, or any other aquatic education efforts.
Idaho National Laboratory
Statewide
Up to 10 awards worth a maximum of $1,500 each will be presented to educators or administrators for funding to improve student understanding of and learning experiences in STEM. Awards will be granted for innovative projects in STEM subjects. This grant seeks proposals that support innovative student-centered projects and experiential learning at the classroom level. The funding should be used to cover needed project materials, admission fees, and/or travel for a field trip.
Idaho Humanitites Council
Statewide
IHC’s K-12 Grants are focused on supporting Idaho K-12 teachers in a variety of ways. With an award size of up to $1,000, the goal of K-12 Grants include enhancing humanities education across Idaho through projects such as field trips.
Opportinities in
Illinois
Society of Architectural Historians
Statewide
The SAH American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip grant program funds awe-inspiring architectural and landscape field trips for students in grades 3–12 from under-resourced communities. To provide students with firsthand experiences and hands-on knowledge about the history of the built environment, SAH partners with nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. that offer youth design education programs and docent-led tours of architecture, parks, gardens, neighborhoods, and town/city centers. The SAH American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip grant program was established in 2015 through an anonymous gift from a generous SAH member. The goal of the grant program is to share the wonders of architecture and landscapes with students whose educational interests in the arts and humanities have been underserved due to racial, social, or economic inequity.
I&M Canal Boat Tour
LaSalle, IL
The grant helps fund a visit to the I&M Canal Boat, where students learn about the I&M Canal Corridor by experiencing actual travel on a mule-pulled canal boat, just like they did in 1848. This engaging and fun field trip includes a 10- minute Mule Tending 101 Class, where students learn about the mules that pull the I&M Canal Boat, and a 50-60 minute ride on the I&M Canal, narrated by a period-dressed guide and crew. An optional, FREE 30-45 minute Corten Steel Silhouette Walk is available.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Statewide
Grants are awarded for the purpose of studying some aspect of Illinois’ biodiversity. “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life in an area. The field trip should support Illinois natural resources topics currently being taught in the applicant’s curriculum. At least 75% of the field trip must occur outdoors to be eligible for these grant funds. The field trip site must be in Illinois. Field trips for agricultural and historical topics will not be funded.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Statewide
Grants are only available to teachers of grades prekindergarten through 12 in Illinois schools and are awarded for students to study some aspect of Illinois’ history. The field trip should support Illinois historical topics currently being taught in the applicant’s curriculum. The field trip site must be selected from the list of approved destinations in this application form. Field trips for geological and/or biological topics will not be funded nor can they be combined with historical field trips. For field trips related to geological and/or biological topics, apply for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant.
Opportinities in
Indiana
Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission
Statewide
This grant was created by the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission for the purpose of providing teachers and their students an opportunities to enrich the learning experience for their students with a focus on Indiana Native American history, heritage, and contemporary culture. Field trips must be to a location within the State of Indiana and the excursion must have a connection to the approved Indiana education curriculum.
Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana
Hammond, IN
The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana partners with local businesses and organizations to assist with supplemental funding in support of STEM programming. These funds can help you offset the cost of your scheduled program(s).
Indiana Native Plant Society
Statewide
Letha’s Youth Outdoors Fund supports trips for school and youth groups to experience nature in an educational context. Preferred groups are those with the least access to experiences in the natural environment. Proposed field trips should be designed to give youth a meaningful outdoor experience. Programs that incorporate the importance of native plants and their habitats and/or the impacts of invasive plants will be given higher priority. Teachers/leaders may select natural sites such as nature preserves and environmental education centers suitable to their location and situation. Field trip activities should be led by environmental educators/naturalists or similarly qualified leaders. Grants cover the costs of transportation, naturalist fees, and related supplies. Letha’s Fund will reimburse transportation arranged through school transportation systems or local transit. Awards range from $50 to $700, based on need and available funds.
Indiana State Parks and Indiana Natural Resources Foundation
Statewide
Indiana State Parks offers field trip grants to Indiana educators and their students. This grant program, in partnership with the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, is designed to distribute funds to public, private, parochial or home school educators interested in taking students on field trips to an Indiana state park or reservoir. Field trips can engage students in learning about Indiana’s fish, forest, wildlife or natural habitats and their conservation, or about Indiana’s history and cultural resources as they relate to Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
The Society of Indiana Pioneers
Statewide
To encourage field trips related to early Indiana history, The Society of Indiana Pioneers annually awards up to ten field trip grants of $500 to classes that otherwise lack the means to travel. Grants are also available for in-school activities – such as guest speakers, reenactments, and traveling exhibits – when the students’ school doesn’t allow travel for off-campus trips. Educators may request grants for any Indiana public, private, or charter school. For on-site field trips, funds are used for transportation, admission fees, or meal expenses. For in-school experiences, funds are used for guest speaker fees, shipping costs, and other expenses related to living history activities.