What are grants and why is grant money important for Montessori?

Alright, Grant Lovers, let’s dive right in! You know, I’m a huge advocate for Montessorians using grants. They offer incredible opportunities to secure funding and alleviate financial stress. And honestly, I’ve seen it way too often – many Montessori organizations struggle financially, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Grants can be a total game-changer. So, today we’re diving deep into the world of grant funding and exploring how to find the perfect match for your Montessori project.

Now, I often get the question, “Where do we find these grants?” And I always say, there are grants out there for everyone, you just need to know where to look! It’s all about digging deep and not giving up when the first search isn’t successful. So, let’s talk about some starting points.

First off, let’s look at some Montessori-specific organizations. There’s the Montessori Global Growth Fund, a great resource specifically for Montessori projects. Then, there’s the Bezos Family Foundation, which supports both early childhood and adolescent learning, and they have a history of funding Montessori.

We also have government funding to consider :

In the US, there’s the Administration for Children and Families, which offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs. And for our friends in Canada, there are Canada Start-up Grants, which is government funding specifically for Montessori schools.

Now, for regional funding, especially for those of you in Africa, you need to check out Developmentaid.org. It’s a fantastic resource for funding opportunities. And then there’s New Fund Africa, which supports ventures for philanthropy and impact fundraising.

Of course, we can’t forget European funding. The European Commission is a major source of funding with various programs available. And for those of you looking for collaboration, visits, and job shadowing between organizations in Europe, there’s Erasmus+.

And if you’re looking for a bit more help with searching, there are grant search engines like Instrumentl, Fundraiseo, and Grantwatch. These are helpful tools to find grants that match your needs.

But here’s the thing, Grant Lovers, persistence is key. Don’t give up if your initial search doesn’t yield results. Keep digging and exploring different avenues. And remember, think beyond Montessori. Consider the broader impact of your project. Are you empowering women, promoting equality, or improving community well-being? Frame your project in terms that resonate with a wider range of funders. And once you’ve found potential funders, strong grant writing skills are essential. You have to learn to write grants!

I hope this gives you a good starting point for your grant search! Remember, there’s funding out there for everyone. 

With love for grants and for you, 

Yours, Mirka