How to Fund Art in Schools

Art programs in schools remain underfunded, and dedicated teachers often fill the gap in funding by searching for means of funding themselves. As a teacher or parent who wants to support art programs, you can improve the success of your school's art programs by finding appropriate funding on your own. Art programs in schools often receive funding through in-kind donations, grants and donations from individuals. Funding for art in schools can ensure that students receive the proper supplies and education to succeed in art courses.

Instructions

In-Kind Donations

1. Create a list of art supplies that your school will need based on the school's teaching plans for upcoming months. Prioritize your list based on areas of priority, such as underfunded areas.

2. Contact local art supply and hobby stores to speak with the manager or supervisor. Ask if they're willing to support your school by providing gifts in kind, such as painting supplies, clay, sewing items or other art supplies.

3. Provide stores that show interest with a list of supplies that you need.

4. Follow up with the stores to see if they have any questions about your school, the art programs or your specific needs. Find out if they have an interest in providing funding for your school and discuss what a partnership might mean.

Getting Art Grants

1. Research potential art grants by using the Foundation Center database (see Resources). Use terminology such as "arts education," "arts programs" and "painting" when searching for funding opportunities.

2. Determine whether you're eligible to receive funding from different foundations. You should look at the types of organization that they fund, consider geographic restrictions and review their areas of interest. If they don't fund schools, consider requesting fiscal sponsorship from a nonprofit organization that can receive funds on your behalf.

3. Create a list of potential art grants and narrow it down to several whose area of interest matches your art programs.

4. Write a grant proposal that includes a cover sheet, information about your art program, specific needs, and your goals and objectives.

5. Submit the grant request to the foundation and follow up within two to three weeks, unless otherwise specified by the funder.

Getting Private Sponsors

1. Make a list of potential sponsors who might want to support local art programs. These might include retired teachers, local artists and community leaders.

2. Write a letter requesting the support of potential donors and discuss how much funding your program needs to be successful.

3. Send the letter out to potential donors by regular mail. Many nonprofit organizations time requests with people's paychecks and send a mailing a few days before paychecks are normally processed.

4. Receive the donations and make sure that they're not marked for a specific purpose, such as art supplies or art field trips.

5. Follow up with private donors and thank them for their donations. This is a crucial step: Showing gratitude can increase support for your art programs and help you to network with other potential funders.

Tips & Warnings

• When preparing any request for assistance, focus on the needs of your school and why the planned art programs are important.

• Unless you accept donations through a 501(c)(3)-registered nonprofit organization, you may not be able to state that the donations are tax-deductible.

References

• Gifts in Kind International : Finding Gifts in Kind

Resources

• Fiscal Sponsor Directory : Connecting Community Projects with Fiscal Sponsors
• Foundation Center : Find Funders