2024/2025 Illinois FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Stay tuned to this page as team grants are updated now through November. Please keep in mind these grants are only for Illinois based teams planning to participate this season in FIRST LEGO League.  

 

Donors Choose

Deadline: Rolling

Area: Chicago and surrounding areas

Details: Starting August 21st, United Airlines is funding aviation and STEM focused DonorsChose campaighns with a 2X match on new donations for projects submitted under the Engineering & Technology subject area. 

More details around eligibility and how to submit your projects are in the links below.
https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/16834674759447-United-Airlines-is-doubling-donations-for-STEM-projects-in-select-cities-and-Hawai-i [help.donorschoose.org]

For teachers new to DonorsChoose, visit the DonorsChoose Help Center [help.donorschoose.org] for guidance on creating your project [help.donorschoose.org] and other helpful resources.

*An Equity Focus School is defined by DonorsChoose as 50% or more of students who are Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander or multiracial and 50% or more of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, the standard measure for school economic need level.

Suggested Tips for creating your project and getting your project seen by United Airlines:

  1. Your project must include the word “STEM” in your project title and description – include “FIRST” as well to be considered for any future FIRST funding opportunities<
  2. When creating your project, make sure you have chosen Engineering & Technology as the subject area
  3. Smaller dollar amount projects tend to be funded quicker than larger projects (try to keep your project under $2k)
  4. Share your project with your community!
  5. If not eligible for this opportunity, check out additional funding opportunities and match offers from DonorsChoose [donorschoose.org]
  6. FIRST Team and/or Class Pack registrations are not eligible to be included as project items

 

ARCO/Murray Bike Ride For the Kids 

Deadline: 8/15/2024

Area: Illinois

Details: Grants available for both new and returning teams. These are need based grants. Please apply using this form.

 

John Deere Grant Applications

Deadline: 9/27/2024

Area: Champaign, Chicago*, Quad Cities

*Please note that teams in Chicago must be located within 15 miles of the Chicago John Deere office located at 333 N. Green St, 60607. 

Details: Learn More/Apply Here