Montessori schools help foster a child's interests.
The Montessori Method of teaching emphasizes educating the entire person, according to the American Montessori Society (AMS). The AMS describes this education style as encompassing the academic, emotional, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of each child. Instead of teaching through specific lesson plans and worksheets, the Montessori Method emphasizes the importance of each child's personal interests. Grants supporting Montessori schools can come from a variety of sources.
Types
The American Montessori Society sponsors the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grants. The federal government has grants available from the Department of Education and through the No Child Left Behind Act, otherwise known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Charter school organizations often have grants available for schools like Montessori schools. In addition, local organizations may provide grants to various educational institutions in their area.
Where to Find
Locate the grants you are interested in by contacting the sponsoring group. If you are interested in applying for federally based grants, start with the United States Department of Education's special division for Non-Public Education. You can also start searching for federal grants at Grants.gov. To find grants through charter school organizations, first locate your local charter school group through USCharterSchools.org. Once you locate your local group, contact them about possible grants available. To apply for the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant, visit AMSHQ.org for application forms and information. Find locally based grants by networking in your area with groups such as home-schooling groups, local service-based organizations and others.
Requirements
For the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant, you must be able to impact a large number of individuals, focus on peace education and be willing to share your results with the Montessori community. Requirements for other grants will vary, but most will require a specific description of your project or school and the detailed ways in which the project will influence the participants and the community. Requirements for federally funded grants often include a detailed description of your organization and basic identifying information including an employer ID number and a 501(c)(3) status.
Past Recipients
The East Fort Worth Montessori Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, received a portion of the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant in 2011 for their project titled "Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Sustainable Montessori Programs." The Montessori Island School in Livingston, Montana, received the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant in 2009 to aid in the development of a "Peace Garden."
