Grants and Scholarships
Support and Recognition
Kansas NEA, NEA, and partner organizations offer many different types of grants and scholarships for members.
Check out some of the opportunities that follow and then apply!
Current Grants and Scholarships.
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The Kansas NEA budget provides funding for grants to groups within the Association working to further our strategic focus as identified in the KNEA Operational Plan. The funds are not intended for routine programs but are intended for new and innovative strategic activities that groups cannot fund on their own. Generally, activities that will be funded are planned and approved before they occur.
ELIGIBILITY: Locals, UniServ districts, committees, or consortiums of two or more membership units are eligible to apply for grants addressing KNEA’s priorities. Programs that already receive funding from KNEA in other areas of the budget should utilize those other line items as their primary source for project funding and utilize grants to provide additional resources for projects that exceed already funded amounts (e.g., Political Action may utilize KPAC funding for some projects, UniServ districts should utilize their Program and Training budget before requesting grant funding).
AVAILABLE FUNDING: There is $4,500 budgeted for 2025-226 Strategic Focus Grants. Any amount leftover from the previous year will be carried over, adding to the amount available. These funds are allocated over the course of the year and serve all locals, committees and UniServs. The desire to serve several varied groups’ places constraints on the total funds available for any one project.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete an application following the guidelines provided with this overview. Grants may be submitted at any time, via mail or e-mail. The selection committee meets to review proposals received. Applicants will be informed of the status of their applications within two weeks of the selection meeting at which it is considered. Groups may appeal decisions of the selection committee to the KNEA Executive Director in writing within 30 days of notification of the grant’s response.
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*Scholarship applications must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2026.
Download the combined scholarship application packet here.
Sherri Yourdon Memorial Scholarship
The KNEA Sherri Yourdon Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000.00 award designed for a KNEA member who is a single mother pursuing an advanced degree. Preference will be given to candidates pursuing degrees in education or related fields.
Bruce and Diana Goeden Scholarship
A $1,000 grant to a member of the KNEA Student Program during the time spent student teaching.
Rodney VanZandt Scholarship
The Rodney VanZandt Scholarship was established in September 1998 in memory of his work at KNEA. This scholarship is a $400 award available for a nontraditional student member of KNEA.
C.O. Wright Scholarship
The C.O. Wright Scholarship was established in August 1982 to commemorate his work for KSTA. The $250 award is designated for a KNEA Student Member.
George Frey Scholarship
The George Frey scholarship was established in November 1981. It is a $200 award designated for a KNEA Student Member.
Connie Shea Memorial Scholarship
The Connie Shea Memorial Scholarship was established in December 2019. It is a $200 award is designated for a Kansas NEA Aspiring Educator who faced or faces challenges in his or her effort to obtain a degree in education and join the teaching profession.
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NEA Foundation offers Teacher Grants for Public School Educators through global resources, learning and leadership grants, student achievement grants and a host of others.
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California Casualty has partnered with education associations for more than 65 years. We understand the growing financial strain on our public schools, and we want to help our friends in the education community.