Finding Alternative Funding Most in the charter school movement agree that funding should be equal to that of other public schools because charter schools are open to all students.  The reality is, depending on the state, charter schools receive anywhere from less than 50% of public school funding, to greater than 90%.  Some states are working to reduce these deficits by revising the laws that govern charter schools—partly in response to “Race to the Top” funding guidelines.  In the meantime, charter schools have to work to bridge this funding gap. Fortunately, there are resources to help:
E-Rate E-Rate is a federal program that provides discounts for schools and libraries to obtain telecommunications services and Internet access.  In general, the program supports connectivity, including telecomm services, Internet access, and internal connections.  The level of discount a school receives on the cost of services ranges from 20% to 90% and depends on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the students.  Services must be provided by a certified E-Rate provider, like SchoolOne, and applicants must meet other criteria in the process. This printable guide contains additional information and resources. Foundation Grants There is a great deal of private funding available for K-12 education.  Entities as diverse as international corporations, local utility companies, and individual charities offer grants to schools, districts, and consortiums to help fund public and private education.  Although some fee-for-service groups and publications claim to be the single source for grant information, this information is readily available on the Internet.  Finding the right grant for your school is possible if you are willing to do the research.  To get started, visit this site for an excellent list of resources. Fundraising and Local Partnerships Many charter schools are started by community-based, grassroots organizations that have a desire to offer educational alternatives for students.  Because a sense of mission and purpose already exists within the community, the community itself is great place to turn for donations of money, goods, and services.  For more information and ideas about local fundraising, visit our page on Fundraising and Local Partnerships.