What can I do?
Fortunately, with a little work, you can get some help. While getting funds for teaching positions is a tall order, there are many opportunities to get money to get new equipment, technology, and offer varied learning experiences. Despite difficult economic times, there are still many grants offered by organizations to enable you to enhance your Physical Education programs. One of the widest known national programs is the Carol M. White PEP Grants. These are grants that usually are written at your district level to implement programs at multiple schools. Contact your school district administrator about collaborating on applying for one of these grants. Other opportunities are presented by the American Heart Association. Usually, they are smaller grants that can be applied for as a school. If you hold a Jump Rope or Hoops for Heart event, it is a bonus and you can qualify for more. Jump and Hoops offers another chance to help your school. Remember that you can earn certificates for US Games equipment when you hold a Jump or Hoops event. Use the button on my “links” page to find out more info about holding an event. National and State AHPERDs are a super resource for finding grants available for equipment and other funds. Many corporations and business have active grant programs as well. Some have a definite deadline and some are “rolling” with deadlines throughout the year. The NFL “Fuel Up to Play 60” program utilizes rolling deadlines. Application processes are wide-ranging from very simple to detailed to the penny that you will spend so read all rules and directions carefully before submitting.
Frustration Factor
In closing, thanks to an added focus on childhood obesity, there are a lot of dollars being given in grants to assist Physical Education programs. If you choose to apply, do not get frustrated at being rejected. There are some grants that I have applied for that offered smaller amounts of money that were easy and won. However, there are plenty that I have applied for and not received. Keep good records and copies of any submissions as some grants ask for duplicate records or items. Also, you can always improve your application and reapply during the next cycle for a particular grant. As the economy turns around, we all hope that our programs will receive increased funding, however, Physical Educators need to continue to be proactive about getting their piece of the fiscal pie in order to increase student achievement.