Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools
Eligibility
- Classroom teachers at K–12 schools across all 50 states, including California, are eligible to apply
- Both public and private accredited schools qualify — no Title I requirement
- Any subject area is welcome — not limited to STEM teachers
- Teachers may apply once per grant cycle; multiple teachers at the same school may each apply
- Target Circle Community Giving is open to registered nonprofits and schools in communities where Target stores operate
Application and Distribution
Target runs seasonal application cycles, typically in fall and spring. Application windows open and close quickly — most cycles are competitive and fill within a few weeks. The best strategy is to bookmark target.com/grants and check in at the start of each school semester.
For Target Circle Community Giving, schools and nonprofits can register at any time through the Target Circle program portal to become eligible for quarterly community votes.
Grant Award Amount
Field Trip Grants are up to $700 per classroom. Funds cover transportation, admission fees, program costs, and related materials for the trip. California teachers have used these grants to fund trips to the California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Exploratorium, and local environmental education centers — experiences that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive for many classrooms.
Target Circle Community Giving amounts vary based on member votes. Schools and nonprofits enrolled in the program receive a share of designated giving based on how many Target Circle members select them during a given quarter.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- micro:bit Starter Kit— bring the hands-on building and coding experience from a makerspace visit directly into the classroom. Students who visit a science center coding lab can continue the same project-based approach with their own micro:bit.
- Coding for Good Kit— pairs well with field trips focused on environmental or social impact challenges. Students visit a field site, observe a real problem, then return to the classroom to code a solution.
- MicroChat— pre-trip and post-trip AI literacy integration. Students use MicroChat to research their destination, predict what they'll discover, and reflect on what they learned — building critical thinking alongside content knowledge.
Keep in Mind
Target Field Trip Grant windows are short and competitive. Set a calendar reminder for the first week of September and January so you don't miss the opening.
Strong applications describe a specific destination, date range, and learning objective. "We want to visit the Exploratorium to explore data visualization and connect it to our unit on environmental science data collection" is far more compelling than a general request.
Target Field Trip Grants can cover transportation and admission while a DonorsChoose project funds the take-home materials — the kits and curriculum students use to extend the learning back in the classroom. These two sources are designed for exactly this kind of pairing.
This is a separate program and takes less than 10 minutes to set up. Once registered, your school benefits passively every quarter as Target Circle members in your community make purchases. Even a few hundred dollars per year adds up over a school career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools in California?
Classroom teachers at K–12 schools across all 50 states, including California, are eligible to apply Both public and private accredited schools qualify — no Title I requirement Any subject area is welcome — not limited to STEM teachers Teachers may apply once per grant cycle ; multiple teachers at the same school may each apply Target Circle Community Giving is open to registered nonprofits and schools in communities where Target stores operate
How much funding is available through Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools?
Funding varies by cycle and applicant. Check the current program guidelines for up-to-date award amounts.
Can Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do schools apply for Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools?
Target runs seasonal application cycles , typically in fall and spring. Application windows open and close quickly — most cycles are competitive and fill within a few weeks. The best strategy is to bookmark target.com/grants and check in at the start of each school semester. For Target Circle Community Giving, schools and nonprofits can register at any time through the Target Circle program portal to become eligible for quarterly community votes.
How can Forward Education help with Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for California schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes Target Circle Field Trip Grants for K-12 Schools funds. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more California funding resources
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