Q: “My school has run out of funding for a program that we are desperately trying to keep and grow, and I can’t afford to spend money out of pocket to keep it going. What can I do to ensure that my students don’t lose access to this valuable program?”
A: If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Budget cuts and funding shortages have become an unfortunate reality in the education sector, especially as of late. But losing valuable programs doesn’t have to be inevitable.
When I was teaching a journalism class, our print newspaper program came perilously close to being discontinued. We didn’t have the money for all the print runs we had initially planned, so we started to decrease the number of issues and the amount of copies printed per year. This wasn’t the best solution since we were already not publishing often enough. We had a difficult time securing local advertising because local businesses already supported many high schools in the neighborhood before our program began. Still, I couldn’t let that be the final word.
At the time, most journalism programs had already begun to transition online, so I suggested, after conducting some research, that we purchase a domain and start publishing exclusively online. I also suggested we start with a free WordPress account and see what kind of traction we could get. If we demonstrate its sustainability, we could then purchase a domain and sell web ads. We ultimately transitioned to an online platform and incorporated additional content from various school publications, which enhanced the website’s quality. We saved the program and started adding valuable skills for our future journalists. Here’s what I learned from that journey, with some steps that could help make your program more sustainable.
Start with a compelling case
Before seeking funding, craft a concise one-page case statement. Include the problem, along with local data that demonstrates why this program matters. The solution should detail what your program does and who benefits, provide evidence from research or prior results that demonstrate effectiveness, include a clear budget breakdown of costs and specify which funding would cover them, and outline measurable outcomes with timelines. It also doesn’t hurt to have student testimonials and parents from the community share their voices on how the program is indispensable for the students. I find that the more you involve students in this process, the more effective your efforts will be. You can see a sample email here.
Explore multiple funding streams
Grants and competitive funding — Research federal and state education grants, including Title funds and innovation grants. Explore local government grants for youth development, arts, or public health initiatives. Look into foundation and corporate giving programs and consider university partnerships for research or service grants. There are many organizations and software that collect this kind of information to make the job easier. This can take some time, so casting a wide net can be helpful until you find the right funder. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any support right away; this can take time.
Community partnerships — Pursue local business sponsorships with naming rights or adopt-a-program opportunities. Organize restaurant give-back nights where 10-25% of sales support your program. (We did this with several places like Chipotle and our local bagel place). Reach out to civic groups like Rotary, Kiwanis, or Chambers of Commerce for adoptions, and explore nonprofit collaborations with organizations like YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs. It’s also beneficial to reach out to your local PTA and other school-connected organizations that can assist with partner fundraising.
Creative fundraising ideas — Create classroom wish lists and share them via social media. Organize themed dress days with small donations. Develop student-run pop-up markets selling project-based creations. Offer community classes taught by teachers and parents and design spirit wear created by students. At our school, we held a fall publication fair where students could purchase various items and participate in events throughout the day. We had bake sales and candy sales, but I encourage you to create a fundraiser that will resonate with your school community.
Crowdfunding Platforms — Use DonorsChoose, GoFundMe, or AdoptAClassroom with strategic approaches. Break big needs into smaller, fundable projects, include engaging photos and short teacher videos, activate “seed donors” first to boost visibility, and time launches to match offer opportunities. Depending on your program, student involvement will help in this effort.
Build sustainable support systems
Form strategic partnerships — Develop memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with community organizations that specify roles, cost-sharing arrangements, and data-sharing protocols. Consider partnerships with local libraries or parks departments for shared space, health systems for mental and physical health initiatives, and businesses for equipment donations and internships. For our newspaper, I would have reached out to local publications that could help sponsor these future journalists. I also reached out to Scholastic Press organizations to see if they had a scholarship or funds they could contribute. Additionally, I sought out local community colleges and four-year institutions where my students may attend in the future and explore potential partnerships.
Create earned revenue streams — Develop fee-for-service enrichment or summer programs with sliding scale options. Explore facility rentals during evenings and weekends and consider inter-district cost-sharing for specialized staff.
Immediate action steps
Build your prospect list by identifying 25-40 potential funding sources across different categories. Prepare reusable assets, including your case statement, logic model, and tiered budget, to ensure consistency and efficiency. Launch local outreach by contacting Chamber of Commerce members and businesses where parents work. Activate your network by engaging PTA/booster clubs and alumni with a 60-90 day mini campaign.
Equity considerations
As you pursue funding, maintain equity by keeping participation options available at no cost. Use pay-what-you-can or suggested donation models. Ensure all materials are translated and accessible and avoid classroom-level competitions that could stigmatize students. Remember to know your community and work within the constraints of what works for them. You don’t want to cause harm unintentionally.
Long-term sustainability
Think beyond immediate needs by creating or refreshing your district education foundation. Develop employer consortia for equipment and internships. Participate in research-practice partnerships with universities and build alumni networks for ongoing support. This is sometimes hard. However, consider ways to create space in budgets by identifying resources that can be cut if not being utilized. Doing an audit of current costs, making sure allocations are appropriately used and managed for the future. We don’t just want quick fixes that will only leave you vulnerable in emergencies again. What measures can be taken to ensure the program’s longevity, provided students remain interested and engaged?
You don’t have to go it alone
Remember that your passion for this program is your greatest asset. The community wants to support education; they just need to be shown how to do so. By presenting a clear, compelling case and offering concrete ways to help, you can turn concerned community members into active partners.
Start with one strategy this week. It could be setting up a classroom wish list or drafting that one-page case statement. Small steps lead to big changes. Your students deserve access to these valuable programs, and with strategic planning and community engagement, you can make that happen.
What funding strategy will you try first? Share your commitment—public accountability often leads to greater success.
If you have an issue that you would like me to address, please email me at ssackstein@educatorsrising.org or complete this form. You will be kept anonymous.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Starr Sackstein
Starr Sackstein is the Massachusetts state coordinator for PDK’s Educators Rising program, COO of Mastery Portfolio, an education consultant, instructional coach, and author. She was a high school English and journalism teacher and school district curriculum leader. She is the author of more than 15 educational books, including Hacking Assessment (Times 10, 2015), Making an Impact Outside of the Classroom (Routledge, 2024), and Actionable Assessment (Routledge, 2026).
Visit their website at: https://www.mssackstein.com/
