School-Level Grants

DPSF Annual Grant Cycle

These funding opportunities are given during the school year and follow a cohort model with built-in support centered around equity, sustainability, feasibility, and transformative change in our Durham Public Schools. These are focused on supporting grantees with the completion of their projects, providing opportunities for advocacy and connection amongst Durham Public Schools and the larger Durham community. 

Our grant cycle is currently closed. Check out our 23-24 Grants Program Impact Report to see our grants in action.

Innovation Grants

Dream big! One of the DPS Foundation's key activities is developing and funding innovative ideas from Durham’s students, educators, and families that bolster student success and support the growth and retention of Durham’s teachers. DPS Foundation Innovation Grants fund projects aimed at increasing equity, accessibility, resources, and opportunities within DPS schools.

WHOLE Schools Fund

This grant is specifically focused on mental health and wellness activities to impact our public schools. These projects are centered around our foundation of Wellness, Healing, Opportunity, Learning, and Equity (WHOLE) from concept to action.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Accelerating Digital Equity

Access to computers and reliable internet is a right for every student and building technology skills and digital literacy is essential for preparing our students for the workforce. There are many transformations necessary for creating truly equitable learning environments for every student - access to digital tools and learning is one of them. We are not only patching a hole that’s been ripped open by the pandemic – we are accelerating a long-overdue response to inequities in schools. A system-wide approach standardizes the devices, infrastructure, and learning management - ensuring equity across the system and opportunity for everyone.

Summer Joy Fund

This funding source is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for all DPS students to have safe, engaging, and joy-filled summers. Here at the Durham Public School Foundation, we aim to champion equity for students throughout the year, and through this pilot, we hope to use our funds to provide grant funding to organizations that host summer programming so DPS students are able to access it without the financial barrier. These funds are specifically designated for removing the barrier of registration costs!

COVID Relief Funding

During the height of the pandemic, there was an enormous need around the world for support, during that time we lept to action providing funds directly to families, food, and resources.

General School-Level Requests

There are needs throughout the school year that can not be planned for Durham Public Schools. Outside of our on-cycle grant funding, there is a limited amount of funding for requests throughout the year. Learn more and apply.

Find out more about our previous funding efforts for the DPS Community here.