Educator Mini-Grants

• Each awarded educator will receive a $1,000 mini-grant to fund their projects that help address the root causes of plastic pollution. This year, we will fund 10 educators nationwide, for a total of $10,000 distributed. 
• All awardees will be added to our monthly Educator Ally newsletter, which shares movement-wide updates on plastic pollution – including policy news, outside funding opportunities, virtual events, scientific articles, and more. 
• All awardees may choose to have their project highlighted on Algalita’s social media channels to help inspire our broader community. 

To qualify for an Educator Mini-Grant, you must: 

• Be a middle or high school educator teaching in a public, private, or charter school in the United States. 

• Demonstrate a commitment to addressing plastic pollution in your classroom, school, community, or beyond. 

All subject areas are welcome. We believe every educator can play a meaningful role in the movement to end plastic pollution. 

Algalita does not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. 

January 1, 2026: 2026-27 Educator Mini-Grant application opens  

March 1, 2026: 2026-27 Educator Mini-Grant application closes  

Early April 2026: Awardees announced 

October 2026: Mid-Year Check-In  

May 2027: Final Report and Impact Presentation 

Our Educator Mini-Grant program is designed to support meaningful, school-based projects that help move us closer to a world where plastic pollution is unthinkable. 

You may use the award funds to cover any expenses directly related to your project goals. Depending on your vision, this could include materials like physical signage, reusable alternatives, classroom supplies, event or space rentals, or any other items that help bring your project and impact to life for your students.  

Here are some example projects to get your imagination going: 

• Host a Fixit Clinic on campus to teach repair skills and keep items in use longer 

• Start a thrift closet on campus where students can donate and find secondhand clothing 

• Lead a field trip to a recycling center, waste facility, refill shop, or repair space to understand real-world waste systems 

• Investigate microplastics or watershed health through hands-on testing and analysis 

• Create a classroom “Repair & Reuse Station” stocked with basic tools, sewing supplies, and instructional guides where students can mend clothing, fix simple items, and learn repair skills. 

• Launch a student-designed “Bring Your Own” campaign encouraging reusable bottles, utensils, containers, and bags, supported by data collection to track behavior shifts. 

• Develop a waste-audit and action plan where students analyze their school’s waste stream, identify top plastic sources, and propose system-wide changes to reduce them. 

• Build a “Sustainable School Store” featuring student-made or community-made upcycled items, refill options, or reusable supplies. 

• Implement a composting or food-waste reduction program that reduces plastic-lined trash bags, single-use packaging, and overall waste. 

• Create or expand a school garden that teaches students about soil health, composting, and growing food without plastic to reduce reliance on plastic-packaged produce and demonstrating regenerative, closed-loop systems. 

• Start a “reuse library” or “gear library” for items like art supplies, lab materials, sporting equipment, or event supplies to minimize new purchases. 

• Incorporate reuse into the school cafeteria by reducing single-use plastics and piloting new systems. 

• Build a shared “reusable event set” of plates, cups, silverware, and napkins so classroom events can go plastic-free. 

• Organize a nature-based field trip that helps students build a personal connection to their local environment and understand how ecosystems are impacted by plastic pollution. 

• Host a field trip to a local recycling center, materials recovery facility, refill shop, repair space, or waste transfer station to help students understand real-world waste systems and upstream solutions. 
• These are just a few ideas, the options are endless! 

** Please note: If you are selected as a recipient of a Educator Mini-Grant, you will need to submit an expense and program report by the end of the 2026-2027 school year.  

• Everything included in your application is considered public information once submitted and you should not include private or privileged information. 

• We will only accept one application per person. 

• If you need to talk to us about your application for any reason, please contact us: https://algalita.org/wayfinder-society/contact/