Advanced and Specialized Course Access Grant

The Patterson Family Foundation is offering grant funding to expand access to advanced and specialized courses for rural students. This initiative is aimed at increasing educational equity by supporting programs that broaden the availability of dual-credit, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses. The goal is to ensure all students in rural communities have meaningful access to rigorous academic opportunities that prepare them for college and careers. This funding opportunity is not intended to cover capital projects or to pay salaries, benefits, or compensation for current public school district staff. Rather, the focus is on supporting scalable, innovative programs that expand course offerings and remove barriers for rural students to engage in advanced academic pathways. The grant application process follows a two-round cycle in 2025. Round 1 begins on April 1, 2025, with Letters of Intent (LOIs) due by April 18, 2025, and full applications due by May 9, 2025. Round 2 begins on April 19, 2025, with LOIs due by July 3, 2025, and full applications due by July 25, 2025. Award decisions will be communicated in August 2025 for Round 1 and October 2025 for Round 2. Applicants are encouraged to submit their LOIs as early as possible to ensure timely eligibility review and maximize preparation time for the full application, if invited. Eligible organizations must register in the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal by 12:00 PM CST on April 18 for Round 1 or by July 3 for Round 2. Once registration is reviewed and approved, applicants gain access to the LOI application. Organizations with existing portal accounts can log in with their current credentials. Any login support needs can be addressed by contacting [email protected]. The grant is available only to entities serving rural areas in Kansas and western Missouri, specifically in counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. The Foundation provides applicant support via scheduled Office Hours held from 1–3 PM. Applicants can email Office Manager Sasha Winterowd at [email protected] at least two business days in advance with their preferred session date, email, name, and three questions they would like to address. Funding decisions are made through a competitive and thorough review process. Participation in the application process does not guarantee an award. Only applicants who receive a formal award letter can publicly acknowledge the support, and they must follow specific guidance provided by the Foundation regarding public communications.