Charter Schools (84.282)
Charter Schools (Assistance Listing 84.282) is run by the Department of Education. It awarded $1.3 billion in 185 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $7.1 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $1.8 million. Half of the 185 awards fell between $477,980 and $10.3 million, and they ranged from $1 to $72.2 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$1.3 billion
- Grant awards185
- Typical award$1.8 million
- Awarded in FY 2025$225 million
- Size rank222 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $304 million in fiscal 2021 to $225 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 222nd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 69% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 42 states and territories.
What the program funds
The program supports startup of new charter schools and the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools. Charter schools increase educational options for parents and students and, in exchange for stricter academic accountability, are exempt from many statutory and regulatory requirements. Funds also support State efforts to improve charter schools' access to facilities.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
State entities, including State educational agencies, State charter school boards, Governors, and statewide charter school organizations, in States in which State law authorizes charter schools are eligible. If no State entity in a State receives a grant, charter school developers in the State that have applied to an authorized public chartering authority to operate a charter school, and provided adequate and timely notice to that authority, may apply directly to the Secretary. Charter management organizations with experience operating or managing high-quality quality schools are also separately eligible for grants. Lastly, States are eligible for grants for charter school per-pupil facilities aid programs.
What the money can and cannot pay for
State entities receiving grants make subgrants to charter school developers to open new charter schools or replicate or expand high-quality charter schools; if an eligible State entity does not receive a grant, charter school developers in the State may apply directly to the Secretary for funding. Charter management organizations receiving grants use funds for replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools. Charter school developers and charter management organizations receive up to 5 years of assistance, of which they may use not more than 18 months for planning and program design, and may use funds for such activities as preparing educators, acquiring supplies and equipment, carrying out necessary facility renovations excluding construction, establishing student transportation systems, and carrying out community engagement activities. States may also receive grants to establish and administer per-pupil facilities aid programs for charter schools. Due to non-supplanting requirements, applicants for per-pupil facilities aid program grants must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. For assistance call the Office of Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202)708-7770. Competitions are announced in the Federal Register. Specific limitations and restrictions for each competition are provided in the Federal Register notice.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range of awards: $100,000 - $45,000,000
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Charter Schools (84.282) awarded $1.3 billion across 185 grant awards, an average of $7.1 million per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 52% of the money, nonprofits 35% and colleges and universities 6.3%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 93 | $686 million | 52% |
| Nonprofits | 56 | $459 million | 35% |
| Other | 25 | $86.6 million | 6.6% |
| Colleges and universities | 7 | $82.8 million | 6.3% |
| Businesses | 2 | $7.1 million | 0.5% |
| Small businesses | 1 | $477,980 | less than 0.1% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $393,562 | less than 0.1% |
By state
40 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 10 | $145 million |
| Florida | 6 | $117 million |
| New York | 22 | $116 million |
| California | 16 | $110 million |
| Indiana | 6 | $91.8 million |
| New Jersey | 13 | $74.4 million |
| Louisiana | 11 | $56.4 million |
| Colorado | 4 | $51.0 million |
| Nevada | 2 | $41.3 million |
| Arkansas | 2 | $37.6 million |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $35.9 million |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $35.9 million |
| Ohio | 5 | $33.8 million |
| Missouri | 9 | $32.3 million |
| Idaho | 4 | $31.2 million |
| New Mexico | 3 | $31.0 million |
| Arizona | 4 | $26.8 million |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | $22.8 million |
| Georgia | 2 | $22.4 million |
| South Carolina | 1 | $21.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $17.5 million |
| Tennessee | 1 | $16.4 million |
| Utah | 2 | $16.1 million |
| Illinois | 5 | $15.9 million |
| Alabama | 3 | $15.7 million |
| Wisconsin | 3 | $14.6 million |
| North Carolina | 4 | $14.4 million |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $11.7 million |
| Washington | 1 | $11.4 million |
| Rhode Island | 2 | $11.3 million |
| Iowa | 2 | $10.8 million |
| West Virginia | 1 | $9.0 million |
| Mississippi | 1 | $7.5 million |
| Maryland | 3 | $6.5 million |
| Connecticut | 2 | $5.1 million |
| Delaware | 1 | $4.3 million |
| Minnesota | 3 | $2.8 million |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | $2.6 million |
| Hawaii | 3 | $1.4 million |
| Alaska | 2 | $1.2 million |
| Oregon | 1 | $184,332 |
| Maine | 1 | $18,459 |