Funding & Costs


illustration of a school building under construction

One District, One Way: Bringing Consistency to K–12 Construction Projects

From budgeting to closeout, here's how a single playbook can turn chaos into clarity in school construction programs.

Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

EPA to Provide $26M in Grants to Protect School, Child Care Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will award $26 million in grant funding to test and fix lead-contaminated water at U.S. schools and childcare centers, according to local news.

University of Kentucky Receives $2.5M Donation Toward Renovation Project

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced that it has accepted a $2.5-million donation that will transform Pence Hall into the home of the university’s College of Communication and Information, according to a news release.

Georgia State University Plans Campus Transformation

Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., recently received an $80-million gift that will go toward the largest campus transformation project in university history, according to a news release. The contribution from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation will go toward a planned $107 million in campus upgrades across nine projects in downtown Atlanta.

N.C. District Receives $62M Grant to Build New K–12 Innovation Center

Edgecombe County Public Schools in Edgecombe, N.C., recently announced that it has received government funding to go toward the development of the new North Edgecombe School of Innovation, according to a news release.

Adelphi University Launches $100M Fundraising Campaign

Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., recently launched The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, a $100-million fundraising initiative, at a gala on campus, according to a news release. The campaign is set to last through 2027 and fund six strategic priorities to improve success on campus.

Chef Ann Foundation Awards Grants to Purchase Bulk Milk to 15 K–12 Districts

The Chef Ann Foundation recently announced that it has awarded 29 grants to 15 school districts around the U.S. to go toward purchasing milk in bulk instead of single-serve containers. The Bulk Milk program is in its second year and provides recipients with the equipment, training, and materials required for schools to make the shift, according to a news release.

How These Financing Strategies Can Help Georgia School Districts Jump-Start Big Capital Projects

With high inflation, supply shortages, and high costs of labor, the ability for district leadership to make the financing work has become more challenging. In Georgia, home to some of the nation’s largest school districts, there are numerous financing options available to schools that help them navigate these hurdles.

The Important Role of Data to Maximize Grant Funding

Federal and state governments announce available funds to public school districts throughout the year. These are usually tens or hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help schools with infrastructure upgrades or replacements. There’s a catch to all these grants, though: Schools must apply for the funding through an oftentimes complicated and detailed application process with a strict deadline.

Minimalist depiction of school safety grant funding in a higher education setting, featuring a modern classroom with transparent walls. Inside, a glowing budget graph and a pile of books labeled

Free Resources Available to Help Secure School Violence Protection Funding

Ed tech provider Bluum is offering a suite of free grant resources and consulting services to help school districts apply for funding from the COPS School Violence Protection Program, a grant opportunity from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services with awards totaling $73 million.

Gordian Report: Investments in Higher Education Facilities Up 26%

Data-driven solutions provider Gordian recently released its latest State of Facilities in Higher Education report, which revealed that higher-education institutions ramped up their reinvestment in facilities by more than 26% year-over-year during 2023, according to a news release.

Texas K–12 District Utilizes Federal Grant Money for VR Equipment

The San Isidro Independent School District in south Texas recently announced that it used a federal grant program to purchase virtual reality (VR) headsets for its middle- and high-school students, according to a news release.

KidsGardening.org Announce Launch of 2024 Youth Garden Grant

National nonprofit organization KidsGardening.org recently announced the launch of the 2024 Youth Garden Grant, which will provide grants to 50 local youth garden programs, according to a news release.

Baltimore, Md., to Receive $80M in State Grants for School Construction

Local news reports that Baltimore County in Maryland will receive $80 million in state grants to support school construction projects in progress, according to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewki.

Bryant University Expands Campus with Property Donation

Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., recently announced plans to expand its campus after a real estate donation from nearby Fidelity Investments, according to a news release.

University of Missouri Receives $2M School Safety Grant

The University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., recently announced that it has received a $2-million grant from the Department of Justice to help K–12 schools around the state identify and avoid threats to student safety, according to a news release.

ABM Offers $3.7M in Energy Savings to Georgia School District

Facility solutions provider ABM recently announced that it will be partnering with the Dooly County School System in Vienna, Ga., to form an Energy Performance Contracting program. The program will save the school district about $3.7 million in energy and operating cost savings over the next 20 years, according to a press release.

Nonprofit Organization to Help Students Pursue Architecture Careers

A nonprofit organization aimed at helping students pursue careers in architecture recently announced a public-facing launch, according to a news release.

Twenty North Carolina Schools Receive Solar Educational Package

Nonprofit organization NC GreenPower recently announced the recipients of its 2022 Solar+ Schools grant program. The program provides K–12 schools across North Carolina with the funds to establish a 5-kW solar energy system on campus, according to a news release.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: Beyond the Bare Minimum

In this episode of Schools in Focus, we’ll be talking about indoor air quality in schools. Our guests are Mike Wolf, Director of Regulatory Business Development, and Tyler Mancl, Principal Application Engineer, both with Greenheck.

School Bus

How School Districts Can Use Unprecedented Federal Funding to Transition to Electric Buses

Amid economic concerns like rising gas prices and inflation impacting American communities and resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is bringing a bright spot to school districts across the country. The agency recently announced a new $5 billion fund, available immediately, to purchase clean school bus fleets and lessen reliance on diesel fuel.

Uvalde Mayor Says Robb Elementary School to Be Demolished

Mayor Don McLaughlin announced during a Uvalde Council meeting on Tuesday, June 21, that Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, will be demolished in the wake of the shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers, according to national news.

Texas A&M Receives Grant to Develop 3D-Printable ‘Hempcrete’ Buildings

Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently received a $3.74-million grant to research and develop the ability to 3D-print buildings using concrete made from hemp—or “hempcrete.”

Two L.A. Colleges Receive $400K in Community Project Funding

The Los Angeles Community College District announced recently that two of its schools will receive $400,000 in Community Project Funding.

University of Kentucky Receives $5.2M Gift for College of Design

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently received a $5.2-million gift from Gray Inc. for the construction of a new home for the College of Design.

White House Launches Clean Air in Buildings Challenge

The White House launched a new program Thursday, calling on schools, colleges and universities to work to improve indoor air quality. In conjunction with the launch, the Environmental Protection Agency also released new guidelines for best practices for improving indoor air quality and reducing the spread of COVID-19 further.

High Point University Announces $400M Academic Expansion

Officials at High Point University in High Point, N.C., recently announced a $400-million academic expansion to include four new schools, including a law school. The announcement came on the heels of the university receiving three gifts from three totaling $100 million within the last month.

University of Kentucky Receives $10M Gift Toward New Cancer Center

University of Kentucky HealthCare (U.K. HealthCare) in Lexington, Ky., recently announced that it has received a $10 million gift from Central Bank to go toward expanding patient care at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

TCEA Convention & Exposition 2022: Roundup

The TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) Convention & Exposition took place last week from Monday, Feb. 7, to Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. I had the opportunity to drop in on the convention for a day, and the following are some loosely organized thoughts about my experience there.

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