By Merge EDU in Resource —

Fueling Immersive Learning: Top Funding Opportunities for Educators

Across the country, educators are using innovative tools to captivate students in STEM, foster creativity, and build workforce-ready skills.

Fueling Immersive Learning: Top Funding Opportunities for Educators

If you’re looking to integrate augmented reality into your classroom, school, or district, exploring grants and charitable programs is a powerful way to secure the funding you need. Below is a comprehensive list of funders—ranging from large foundations to local corporate giving programs—that can help bring Merge EDU to your learners.

Why Funding Emerging Tech Tools Matters

  1. Engagement & Equity: AR experiences can make STEM concepts come to life for students, spark curiosity, and broaden access to high-quality instruction—especially for students in underserved communities.
  2. 21st Century Skills: AR technology with Merge EDU helps students develop 21st century competencies such as problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy. Many corporate donors seek to strengthen the future workforce by investing in these experiences.
  3. Alignment with Funding Priorities: STEM readiness, workforce development, and diversity in tech are recurring themes. Educators who demonstrate how Merge EDU addresses these priorities often find a strong match with funders.

1. Major National Foundations

These organizations award significant grants on a nationwide basis, typically focusing on K–12 STEM education, early learning, and large-scale district or nonprofit projects.

Akamai Foundation

  • Deadline: April 2
  • Amount: $25K+
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: STEM education (K–12), math excellence, diversity in tech
  • Website: Akamai Foundation
  • How to Apply: Application usually reopens at the beginning of each year
  • Notes: Prioritizes underserved populations

Brown Advisory Charitable Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $2K–$50K
  • Locations: Nationwide (heavy emphasis in Maryland)
  • Focus: Education nonprofits of all kinds
  • How to Apply: Mail application with project details to Catherine P. McDonnell at 901 S Bond St, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21231
  • Notes: Program-specific funding only

Change Happens Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: Up to $20K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Innovation in science, environment, and education
  • Website: Change Happens Foundation
  • How to Apply: Submit LOI at this link
  • Notes: Prioritizes “high-level impact” programs that do things differently

Comis Foundation

  • Deadline: LOI due August 1
  • Amount: $5K–$75K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Opportunity and access for children (grades K–12)
  • Website: Comis Foundation
  • How to Apply: LOI first; if invited, submit full proposal
  • Notes: Offers pilot, proof-of-concept, and capacity-building grants

David & Geri Epstein Private Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $20K–$250K
  • Locations: Nationwide (significant giving in CT)
  • Focus: Schools, science centers, universities
  • How to Apply: Mail an application to PO Box 456, Westport, CT 06881
  • Notes: Provides general operating expenses

Deloitte Foundation – Supporting Student Success

  • Deadline: TBD
  • Amount: $7K–$800K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Equitable access to education, including data analytics & computer science
  • Website: Deloitte Student Success
  • How to Apply: Contact a local Deloitte office or use their online directory
  • Notes: Great for district-wide career exploration in STEM

Gates Foundation – K–12 Education Fund

  • Deadline: Specific to RFPs (none open currently)
  • Amount: $60K+
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Large-scale math instruction and student outcome improvements in K–12
  • Website: Gates Foundation K–12
  • How to Apply: Subscribe for RFP notifications; highly competitive
  • Notes: Prefers programs that can scale as a national model

Geico Philanthropic Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $20K–$100K; median $55K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: STEM, early childhood learning, safety, and resources for diverse communities
  • Website: Geico Foundation
  • How to Apply: Online application

Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation – Science Learning

  • Deadline: Check again in late 2024
  • Amount: $10K–$50K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Lifelong science engagement and innovative science-rich experiences
  • Website: Moore Foundation
  • How to Apply: Typically a brief email inquiry or LOI once solicitations open
  • Notes: Has previously funded AR/VR programs

Lemelson Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $10K–$100K
  • Locations: Nationwide (preference for West Coast)
  • Focus: Invention education (K–12 STEM) and entrepreneurship ecosystems
  • Website: The Lemelson Foundation
  • How to Apply: Submit an inquiry via their online form
  • Notes: Great fit if you can integrate invention & entrepreneurship

Motorola Solutions Foundation

  • Deadline: Annually in April
  • Amount: Up to $50K
  • Locations: Primarily MD, TX, CA, MA, UT, IL, FL, CO
  • Focus: Hands-on STEM, coding, cybersecurity, robotics for ages 8–18; teacher training
  • Website: Motorola Solutions Foundation
  • How to Apply: Check site in early 2025 for next cycle

National Park Foundation – Open OutDoors for Kids

  • Deadline: April 5
  • Amount: Unspecified
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Inquiry-based, immersive park experiences for youth & teacher PD
  • Website: NPF Grant Applications

National Science Foundation (NSF)

A federal powerhouse for STEM education and research, NSF offers multiple grant programs:

  1. Experiential Learning for Emerging & Novel Technologies
  2. Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
  3. Future Manufacturing

New York Life Foundation – Aim High Grant Program

  • Deadline: Typically Feb 1
  • Amount: $15K, $50K, $100K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Middle school OST programs in literacy, STEM, afterschool, career readiness
  • Website: Afterschool Alliance
  • How to Apply: RFP reopens end of year

Raytheon Charitable Foundation

  • Deadline: NA (rolling)
  • Amount: Varies
  • Locations: Nationwide; preference for areas near Raytheon facilities
  • Focus: STEM pipeline development in aerospace & defense
  • Website: RTX Social Impact
  • How to Apply: Often an LOI to 870 Winter St, Waltham, MA 02451

Saxena Family Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $5K–$50K
  • Locations: TX, CA, MA, PA, NJ
  • Focus: STEM ed & empowering women and girls
  • Website: Saxena Foundation
  • How to Apply: Email a brief LOI to info@saxenafoundation.org

Seattle Foundation – F5 Foundation STEM Ed Grants

  • Deadline: August 19
  • Amount: $50K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: STEM access & career opportunities for girls and women of color
  • Website: F5 STEM Grants

The Weezie Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $5K–$400K
  • Locations: Nationwide (heavy giving in MA)
  • Focus: Wide variety of education & basic needs causes
  • How to Apply: Mail a letter-style application to JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, 270 Park Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017
  • Notes: Provides general operating expenses

William Randolph Hearst Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: Minimum $100K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Education (K–12 and higher ed), especially preparing a future workforce
  • Website: Hearst Foundations
  • How to Apply: Online Application
  • Notes: Best suited for large-scale programs or multi-partner proposals

2. Corporate Giving & Private Foundations

Corporate foundations often want to strengthen the communities where they operate, especially in STEM/workforce development.

Allegis Group Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $1K–$125K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: Education, workforce, employee volunteering
  • How to Apply: Mail letter-style application to Nichole Birch, 7301 Parkway Drive, Hanover, MD 21076

Amegy Bank of Texas

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Locations: Texas
  • Focus: Education, community development, arts, diversity, health/human services
  • Website: Amegy Bank Community
  • How to Apply: Email proposal to corporatecontributions@amegybank.com

American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $2K–$200K
  • Locations: Must be in AEP territory or have a broad national/regional scope
  • Focus: Early childhood through higher-ed STEM programs
  • Website: AEP Giving Back
  • How to Apply: Must secure invitation from local AEP Operating Company

Amgen Foundation – Community Grants

  • Deadline: March & September
  • Amount: Varies
  • Locations: Ventura County, SF Bay Area, Boston (MA), Rhode Island, Tampa (FL), Louisville (KY), NC, OH
  • Focus: Inquiry-based science experiences, teacher PD, scalable STEM programs
  • Website: Amgen Foundation Grants
  • How to Apply: Submit LOI via the site
  • Notes: Prioritizes intersection of science & technology

AT&T Foundation – Connected Learning

  • Deadline: NA
  • Focus: Digital inclusion & STEM
  • Website: AT&T CSR
  • Notes: Keep an eye on announcements via their CSR page

Avnet Inc. – Avnet Cares Grants

  • Deadline: Quarterly (Mar 10, Jun 10, Sep 10, Dec 10)
  • Amount: $1K–$25K
  • Locations: Multiple US sites (AZ, CA, OH, TX, etc.)
  • Focus: STEM, diversity, environment, community crises
  • Website: Avnet Community Engagement
  • How to Apply: Online Application

Bell Helicopter Textron

Broadway National Bank

Calpine Corporation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $1K–$750K
  • Locations: 22 states (see Calpine Fleet Map)
  • Focus: Education, workforce dev, environmental issues, social justice
  • Website: Calpine Community
  • How to Apply: Call Denise Straka at 713-830-2040

CenterPoint Energy Foundation

  • Deadline: Feb 16 / July 26
  • Amount: $10K–$150K
  • Locations: IN, LA, MN, MS, OH, TX (specific counties listed in guidelines)
  • Focus: STEM for under-resourced areas, digital device access
  • Website: Application Process

ConocoPhillips

Cox Enterprises

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Focus: Environment & STEAM for underserved communities
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Website: Cox Corporate Giving
  • How to Apply: Email corporategiving@coxinc.com

Crescent Real Estate Equities

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Locations: Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver
  • Focus: Elementary schools serving at-risk students via FACES of Change®
  • Website: Crescent Community
  • How to Apply: Email info@crescent.com to inquire

Halliburton Foundation

International Paper Company Foundation

Jacobs Engineering Group

JetBlue Foundation

  • Deadline: October 30
  • Amount: $50K+
  • Locations: NY, FL, TX, CA
  • Focus: Aviation education and engineering
  • Website: JetBlue Foundation

KLA-Tencor Foundation – Education Equity Fund

  • Deadline: LOI Apr 1–30; if invited, full proposal by July 5
  • Amount: $50K–$750K
  • Locations: TX, AZ, and others near KLA sites
  • Focus: Reducing barriers to STEM for underrepresented K–12 students
  • Website: KLA Foundation

Labcorp Charitable Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $1K–$25K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: STEM & health-related programs
  • How to Apply: Apply online

Marathon Petroleum Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $2K–$45K
  • Locations: OH, TX, MI, CA, UT
  • Focus: Workforce readiness, vocational training, engineering skills
  • Website: Marathon Community Investment
  • How to Apply: Email communityinvestment@marathonpetroleum.com if not invited

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Pitney Bowes – Employee Involvement Fund

  • Deadline: March 15
  • Amount: $25K+
  • Locations: TX, CT, GA, IN, PA, etc.
  • Focus: Early childhood, STEM, after-school, job training; must measure outcomes
  • Website: Pitney Bowes Community
  • How to Apply: Follow steps in this PDF

Sanofi Genzyme

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Focus: Health equity, STEM education equity, local communities
  • Locations: Bridgewater (NJ), Cambridge (MA), Swiftwater (PA)
  • Website: Sanofi Charitable Donations

TE Connectivity Corporation – Community Ambassador Program

  • Deadline: May 10
  • Amount: $1K–$25K
  • Locations: Select US sites (NC, OH, MN, RI, PA, CA, TX, etc.)
  • Focus: Education & technology, especially with TE employee volunteerism
  • Website: TE Funding
  • How to Apply: Benevity Application

The Holthouse Foundation for Kids

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $5K–$250K
  • Locations: Especially Houston, TX
  • Focus: Programs for at-risk youth (life skills, entrepreneurship)
  • Website: HFFK
  • How to Apply: Mail a letter to 1800 West Loop South, Suite 1875, Houston, TX 77027

The Pitney Bowes Employee Involvement Fund (Pitney Bowes Foundation)

(Already listed—see above.)

The William Stamps Farish Fund

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $10K–$500K
  • Locations: Mostly Houston, TX
  • Focus: Broad support for education nonprofits
  • How to Apply: Mail LOI to 1100 Louisiana St, Ste 2200, Houston, TX 77002-5245

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) Grants

Valero Energy Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $1K–$250K
  • Locations: Primarily TX (but broad)
  • Focus: Education, especially large-scale support for ISDs
  • Website: Valero Philanthropy
  • How to Apply: Email LOI to communityrelations@valero.com

Verizon Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $1K–$250K
  • Locations: Nationwide
  • Focus: K–12 STEM, summer/afterschool, teacher training, technology integration
  • Website: Verizon Grants
  • How to Apply: Contact local Verizon Community Relations Manager

Vulcan Materials Company Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Focus: Partnerships with local public schools in Vulcan’s operating areas
  • Website: Vulcan Foundation
  • How to Apply: Email giving@vmcmail.com with a brief LOI to connect with the right division

William T. Kemper Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $8K–$1M
  • Locations: MO, IL, KS, CA, WA, GA, TN, NY, MA
  • Focus: Education, health/human services, arts
  • How to Apply: Mail application to Executive Director, 922 Walnut, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64106-1809

3. Government Grants

These are typically large-scale, competitive grants geared toward multi-partner consortia, district-wide programs, or higher-ed collaborations.

US Department of Defense – Army

  • Opportunity: NDEP STEM Open NFO
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $100K–$10M
  • Focus: Innovative STEM outreach & workforce initiative programs
  • Website: Army NDEP STEM on grants.gov

US Department of Defense – Navy (Office of Naval Research)

  • Opportunity: FY24 DON STEM Education & Workforce Program
  • Deadline: August 30
  • Amount: $200K–$600K
  • Focus: Building a diverse STEM pipeline relevant to the Navy and Marine Corps
  • Website: DON STEM on grants.gov

4. Regional & Local Foundations

These funders focus on specific states, cities, or counties. Often, there’s less competition and a higher chance of success if your proposed program meets local community needs.

Charles & Lois Marie Bright Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $2K–$150K
  • Location: Nacogdoches, TX area
  • Focus: Education, community services
  • How to Apply: Mail application to Wanda Russell, PO Box 635001, Nacogdoches, TX 75963

Community Foundation of Texas

  • Deadline: Varies by fund
  • Location: Texas
  • Focus: 21st-century teaching & learning, cradle-to-career pipeline
  • Website: CFT Education

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $5K–$100K
  • Location: TX (especially Houston)
  • Focus: Broad grantmaking in education and the arts
  • Website: Brown Foundation Guidelines
  • How to Apply: Start with a pre-application online

The George Foundation

Giant Eagle Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $2K–$50K
  • Location: OH, PA, NY, TX, MA, MI, CO
  • Focus: Nonprofits for children & youth
  • How to Apply: Mail application to David Shapira, c/o Giant Eagle Inc, 101 Kappa Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation

  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Amount: $50K+
  • Location: Pennsylvania
  • Focus: Universities, museums, educational programs, libraries, scouts
  • How to Apply: Call Linda M Boxx at 724-537-6900; no website

Shelton Family Foundation

The William & Helen Thomas Charitable Trust

  • Deadline: September 15
  • Amount: $10K–$60K
  • Location: Primarily Palm Beach, Martin & St. Lucie Counties (FL), Appalachia
  • Focus: Education, environment, medical needs, underprivileged services
  • Website: Bank of America philanthropic page

The Vivian L. Smith Foundation

  • Deadline: Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, Oct 25
  • Amount: $10K–$100K
  • Location: Texas
  • Focus: Education, healthcare
  • How to Apply: Mail proposal (no special form) to 1900 West Loop South 1050, Houston, TX 77027

Tips for Writing Winning Grant Proposals

  1. Align to Funder Priorities Emphasize how Merge EDU’s AR/VR experiences address STEM, workforce readiness, or equity goals.
  2. Show Impact & Measurable Outcomes Include data-driven metrics for student achievement, engagement, and teacher satisfaction.
  3. Highlight Underserved Populations Many grants prioritize projects that serve low-income, rural, or underrepresented students.
  4. Build Local Partnerships In corporate grants, propose ways to involve the company’s employees, such as volunteer mentoring, project coaching, or field trips.
  5. Plan Ahead Large grants (NSF, DOD, major foundations) often require months of prep for letters of support and budget details.
  6. Tell a Story A compelling narrative about a student’s or teacher’s transformation with AR/VR can set your proposal apart.

Bringing Innovation to the Classroom

AR/VR can elevate science and engineering to new levels—allowing students to visualize cells in 3D, walk through historical landmarks, or build virtual prototypes. As you explore these funders, remember that a well-crafted proposal showing alignment with their objectives (equity, workforce, STEM excellence) and a measurable plan for impact will give you the best chance of success.

Have questions about using Merge EDU in your grant application? Our team is here to help! Connect with us at Merge EDU for guidance on how immersive technologies can strengthen your proposal and engage your learners like never before.

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