Federal funding for elementary and secondary schools

Renaissance solutions qualify for purchase under a variety of federal K-12 education funding streams, as well as federal funding for preschool, to support student learning and growth in any environment.

Federal Funding for Elementary and Secondary Schools provides a brief overview of each Renaissance solution and the individual funding streams to which they align, plus information on relevant professional learning to support effective implementation of each solution.

Download the brochure

Overview of common funding streams

Federal funds

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides both formula funds and competitive grants.

Formula funds are allocated annually to state education agencies or directly to school districts based on the number of students meeting specific eligibility criteria. Renaissance’s research-proven solutions align with the requirements of each formula funding source.
Competitive grants are awarded through a selection process. They are typically multi-year, and the dollar amounts are usually significant. The applications require compelling data to support the need, precise plans for the proposed program, and rigorous attention to detail.

Budgeted funds

Many of our customers use dollars already budgeted within their districts to purchase Renaissance solutions. These include allocations for assessments, instructional materials, library collections, technology, professional learning, and contributions by district foundations and parent organizations.

The best strategy for accessing these funds is to include the cost of your Renaissance programs when administrators prepare yearly budgets. If a formal proposal to an administrator is required, we can help.

Foundation and corporate funds

Foundation and corporate support for education is often focused on specific areas of interest, such as literacy, STEM, elementary education, or particular student populations.

Foundations may award grants nationwide, within a specific state, or only in designated regions or communities. Corporations usually offer grants in locations in which their employees or customers live or work.

Find federal funding for Renaissance tools and solutions

Use the filters to identify funding resources based on solution or funding resource type.

Funding sources

Select at least one funding source.

Search type

Select a topic

New Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants

The US Department of Education has awarded $149 million in five-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants to 22 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about these grants and how the Renaissance literacy portfolio of pre-K–12 solutions offers districts a comprehensive approach to meeting their state’s CLSD goals.

View CLSD page

Federal formula funds and competitive grants

Federal funds—in the form of formula funding and competitive grants—provide billions of dollars for education programs each year that districts use to supplement state and local funding.

Title I

Title I is federal formula funding intended to help low-income students who are failing or at risk of failing to meet their state’s academic achievement standards.

Title II

Title II is formula funding that provides funding for professional development, including an emphasis on enabling teachers to understand and use assessments and data to improve classroom practice and student learning.

Title III

Title III is formula funding used to enable students with limited English proficiency to master English and meet the same academic achievement standards as all children.

Title IV-A

Title IV-A is funding for student support and academic enrichment, including activities that support safe and healthy students and the effective use of technology to improve academic achievement and digital literacy.

Title IV-B

Title IV-B (Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers) funding supports community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with activities designed to complement the students’ regular academic programs. Title IV-B funding is allocated to states according to a formula; however, grant awards within each state are made on a competitive basis.

Title V

Title V authorizes the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), which helps rural Local Education Agencies (LEAs) use other federal formula funds more effectively to address their unique needs.

IDEA, Part B

IDEA, Part B enables LEAs to develop and implement coordinated early intervening services (CEIS), including MTSS frameworks, for students who are currently not identified as needing special education.

Comprehensive Literacy State Development grants

Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants will provide five years of funding to improve student literacy through subgrants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs). The funding covers students from birth through high school, with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, including those living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.

Head Start

Head Start programs help preschool-age children from low-income families prepare to succeed in school through screening, ongoing assessments, effective practices in language and literacy, and other developmental domains. Programs are delivered in a variety of settings, including public schools.

Preschool Development Grants

Preschool development grants support the strengthening of early care and education systems through initiatives that enhance high-quality early childhood experiences to prepare children from low-income families to be successful in school.

Need a little help with the jargon?

We’ve compiled a glossary of funding related terms to help you out.

View the glossary

Funding Resources Guide

Finding state and local opportunities—and writing an effective proposal for school funding—can be a challenge. Your Guide to Securing Funds to Accelerate Student Learning provides tips and resources on how best to approach funders and get the most from your efforts.

Download the guide

What you’ll find in the guide:

Preparing a proposal to your administration
Tips for making a phone call to a foundation
Tips for working with a grant writer
Writing successful foundation and corporate grant proposals
Finding funds in your own backyard
Grant-writing dictionary

Additional funding resources

Federal funding at-a-glance

Renaissance solutions qualify for purchase with a variety of federal funds. This chart identifies those solutions most closely aligned to specific sources of support.

View document (PDF, 108.0 KB)

Finding funds in your own backyard

Find funding from local businesses, civic organizations, school organizations, and professional membership organizations.

View document (PDF, 132.0 KB)

Need assistance with federal, state, or local funding opportunities for your school or district?

Talk to an expert

Funding Resources for Education