AZGFD Heritage K-12 Small Grant Program

The Arizona Game and Fish Department administers the AZ Heritage K-12 Small Grant Program as part of its broader mission to promote awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of Arizona’s wildlife resources. Funded through the state’s Arizona Lottery Heritage allocation, this program is designed to support educators in delivering wildlife-focused education to K-12 students across Arizona. The department plays a central role in conservation and public education, and this grant initiative reflects its commitment to integrating wildlife topics into formal education environments. The primary objective of the program is to provide financial resources of up to 3000 dollars per project to educators seeking to implement or enhance wildlife education in their classrooms. The program emphasizes practical and experiential learning, including field experiences, classroom resources, and professional development opportunities. Eligible projects must align with one of several defined priority areas, including bone box development, standards-based STEM lessons, use of 3D printing in wildlife education, or expanding access to wildlife-related professional development for teachers. Funding is limited, with a total annual allocation of approximately 32000 dollars available for distribution across multiple awards. Funds may be used for educational supplies, program materials, professional development participation, and other project-related expenses that directly support wildlife education. The grant does not specify cost-sharing or matching requirements, indicating that applicants are not required to contribute additional funds to receive an award. However, applicants are expected to clearly justify their proposed use of funds and demonstrate alignment with program priorities. Eligibility for the program is broad but focused on individuals and organizations operating within Arizona. Applicants may include educators employed by public schools, charter schools, school districts, government agencies, tribal entities, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations that meet Internal Revenue Service 501(c) criteria. While a wide range of applicants is permitted, preference is given to current K-12 teachers working within formal public classroom settings. This prioritization underscores the program’s emphasis on direct student impact in structured educational environments. The application process requires submission of a digital application form during the designated funding window. Applicants are encouraged to review the full application and scoring rubric in advance, as evaluators rely solely on submitted materials when assessing proposals. The application may include narrative responses, project descriptions, and optional supplemental file uploads. Projects are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, quality of educational outcomes, and feasibility of implementation. The grant cycle for the 2026-2027 funding period opens by July 21, 2026, with a primary submission deadline of September 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applications submitted after this deadline may be considered in a second funding round, if available, with a potential deadline of January 1, 2027. The second round is contingent on remaining funds and is not guaranteed. The department evaluates applications after each deadline and awards funding to projects that achieve sufficiently high evaluation scores. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Eric Proctor at the Arizona Game and Fish Department via email at eproctor@azgfd.gov or by phone at 623-236-7243. The program is recurring on an annual basis, subject to funding availability, and continues to serve as a key mechanism for supporting wildlife education initiatives throughout the state.

Ensure strong alignment with one of the priority project options; provide complete and detailed responses since evaluators only use submitted materials