Funding sources for K-12 schools in FY26 continue to be an ongoing conversation between local education departments and administrators, with most schools historically relying on a patchwork of federal, state and local sources for financial support. These (almost inevitably), come with their own application deadlines, program-specific conditions, and eligibility requirements.
For a significant number of school administrators, the pressure to provide students, teachers and the community with what they need for success through specific K-12 school funding is often cited as their top concern. When you also acknowledge that the U.S. Department of Education is (at time of writing) reportedly being either dismantled or essentially gutted by the current administration, there are some very real fears in the K-12 education sector that some federal funding doors could be slammed shut before applications can be even submitted for FY26.
There is a consensus among education experts that the standard and availability of public education in the United States inevitably varies from state to state, with the level of school funding available usually dependent on the both the student population and identified priorities (salaries, modernization projects, to name two). For example, a recent Pew Research report said that one in six teachers now work a second job, which is not ideal for the educational sector as a whole.
In most cases, applying for K-12 funding is not only a budgetary requirement for almost every school administrator but also a resource-heavy process that takes a lot of time and energy. State, federal and local funding has been a part of how schools both budget and allocate resources for some time, so it is essential for schools and decision-makers to understand the potential funding streams from grants, the deadlines for applications and, critically, what those financial awards can be used for.
With that in mind (and as part of our ongoing Grant Finder blog series), here’s a look at some of the funding sources available for K-12 schools in Arizona.
In Arizona, K-12 schools spend an average of $10.090 per pupil, for a total of $11.4 billion annually. [2]
The majority of K-12 school funding comes from state and local levels, but Arizona spends less on K-12 education than the national average. According to the most recent education data available, state and local funding averages a combined $5,896 per student, and tuition accounts for 31.8% of all funding.
In terms of a percentage of equivalent taxpayer income for education, state and local funding is equivalent to 2.08% of the state’s taxpayer income, compared to 0.51% from federal funding. In addition, the state ranks 49th in K-12 school spending and 49th in funding.
Federal funding refers to financial support provided by the government to assist schools in various areas, including academic programs, infrastructure, technology, and student services. There is high variance in the amount of federal funding a K-12 school receives. Some districts receive zero federal dollars, while some can pay for as much as 75% of their expenses using federal funding. At a granular level, federal funding depends on factors like poverty level, student demographics, population density, and availability of state and local funding
Non-federal funding, by contrast, comes from state or local tax revenue streams such as property taxes, sales, income, or other taxes. Funds are then distributed to local districts using various formulas to determine eligibility criteria (student demographics, school performance, specific needs).
These funds are designed to ensure that all students have access to quality education and resources. In the Grand Canyon State, this equates to total funding for K-12 schools is $12 billion or $10,622 per pupil
It is important to note that K-12 teacher salaries are heavily dependent on the size of the school and, unsurprisingly, its location and funding sources. The Arizona Department of Education, for instance, has been making budgetary cuts to its school programs since 2009, a scenario that eventually led to a state-wide teacher strike in 2018.
More recently, the department has said that it is facing a significant budget shortfall, citing tax-related lawsuits, a ruling that the current capital funding system for public schools is unconstitutional, and an experimental school voucher program that created a massive budget hole as reasons why FY25 funding for schools has either been delayed or, in some cases, cancelled altogether.
Funding can be uncertain, and many administrators say that they don't have the resources available to accomplish everything they want to do. This becomes even more of a challenge when funding for school safety programs and related initiatives is factored into any ongoing financial optimization or budgeting strategy.
Grants are a funding source that can drive transformative impact for administrators, educators, and students. At the same time, grants can be difficult to identify and time-consuming to complete. Additionally, the window for applications has a finite lifespan, which often makes the need to get supporting documents to the relevant funding source a race against time.
Here is a curated list of grants that Arizona K-12 schools can use to fund district needs.
DOJ STOP Grant
COPS SVPP Grant
Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
State HSGP
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Stronger Connections Grant Program
At the time of writing, it should be noted that application deadlines for a number of federal grants that specifically fund school safety programs can vary. This means that the window is likely to be closed for FY25, but it is expected (despite the recent government shutdown within various federal departments) that application deadlines for federal funding will be updated to reflect FY26.
If that is the case, then school administrators should ensure that they sign up for programs that are of interest at SchoolSafety.gov to ensure that they receive updates on new school safety-related grant opportunities when the window opens again.
Arizona also participates in what is known as the School Safety Program (SSP). This is a competitive, state-funded grant that runs in three-year cycles. The current grant went live in FY23/24 and will run through FY25/26. The grant is intended to provide K-12 schools with funding for school safety initiatives that include but are not limited to:
The SSP has been recently enhanced by the passing of HB2074, which includes a provision for the promotion of “safe learning environments” and increased funding for school safety technology, infrastructure improvements and school resource officers
You can access the program by reaching out to the Arizona Department of Education or the Arizona Department of Child Safety for more information.
Non-Federal or Other State Resources
If you are looking to apply for grants from non-federal/state resources or foundations, the process can seem daunting. The key point to remember is that grants are rarely hidden behind some digital firewall, albeit that the application process is always time-sensitive.
Arizona (as is the case for other states in this series) has a number of online grant-specific resources that can be accessed by school administrators to nail down financial assistance based on their specific needs. There are also various community grants – provided by private foundations and/or local corporations. It should be noted that these grants can be oversubscribed, so it is important that the applicant knows what they need funding for and when.
School safety, for example, is a key part of the state’s funding avenues, and the expansion of the aforementioned SSP via HB2074 was passed with bipartisan support. This, according to various media reports, was a significant step forward for K-12 school safety in the Grand Canyon State, especially in terms of integrating more technology and campus resources.
The online availability of various grant and funding search engines (GrantWatch, TheGrantPortal, to name two) is another resource for K-12 school administrators.
These keyword-heavy options can guide the school towards funding streams that will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. The caveat is that these portals often require the applicant to become a paid subscriber to access the features and keyword search functionality.
If this paid search option is not appealing, there are organizations that are dedicated to school safety programs or community initiatives, and who don’t live behind gated content. These additional resources include, but are not limited to:
School administrators should note that the majority of state or local funding, for the most part, is more likely to be geared towards education and providing financial support for low-income or at-risk students and families. That is not to say that specific or targeted requests for school safety upgrades or technology will not be considered, but it is reasonable to assume that these will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
K-12 school administrators in Arizona can also access a network of private foundations and organizations that provide discretionary funding for a variety of needs and requirements.
For instance, Aldi (the multinational supermarket chain), has been vocal in wanting to “make a positive impact in our communities” and supports non-profit organizations that promote health and wellness. The application deadline for an ALDI Cares Community Grant closes on December 15, 2025, and you can find more information about this resource here.
Applying for Grants
After identifying a potential funding source, preparing a strong application is important. Kokomo24/7® can work with your school district to assist and strengthen your application.
As a leader in school safety, our team is deeply experienced at mapping funding options to the solutions you need. We are happy to provide advice and support whenever you need it from our experts.
Request time with Kokomo24/7® to assist and strengthen your grant application!
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