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GO for the G.O.L.D.!
2025-26 Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration Grants
2025-26 GOLD Grant - 4th Year
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Deadline: Applications were accepted July 15 - through Oct 6, 2025
Grant awards to be announced by State Board of Education: Nov 2025 Grant funds availability: Dec 2025 Project completion deadline: Jun 30, 2026 Eligible applicants: schools, school districts, non-profit organizations, or public agencies; project beneficiaries must be GA public school students Funded activities: professional learning for educators, schoolyard improvements, supplies for outdoor learning, and/or field trips Grant amounts: $500 - $5000 per grant; at least 18 grants to be awarded Grant-Writing Webinars: Aug 12th at Noon and Sep 10th at 4:00pm |
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What to do if you cannot access the Grant Application . . .
Try this link instead:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf31XBM_TejdDLn5QCtXeLz97FhO-fXBvpX7Wk5qUi_zBxrZg/viewform
There are two major reasons why the grant application form may not open when you click on the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf31XBM_TejdDLn5QCtXeLz97FhO-fXBvpX7Wk5qUi_zBxrZg/viewform
There are two major reasons why the grant application form may not open when you click on the link:
- Your school district or employer may have Google blocked. One solution is to try to access the application from another device or browser ~ even your phone.
- You may not be logged in to Google. This is necessary so the application form can save progress if not completed in one sitting. To solve this issue, please sign in to your Google account and then try to open the application. If you receive an error message that says "Sorry - Unable to Open the File at this Time - Get Stuff Done with Google Drive" please click on the "Learn More" link below the message, then click the blue Sign In button, sign into Google or select Open in Google Drive, and then select the GOLD Grant application from the list and open it (or return to original link and click on it).
History of the GOLD Grant Program
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Legislative intent for the GOLD Grant program is explained in the Final Report of the bipartisan Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning, chaired by Senator Sheik Rahman. Committee Members included Lt Governor (then-Sen.) Burt Jones, Senator Jennifer Jordan, Senator Ed Harbison, and Senator Sally Harrell. The GOLD Grant program is managed by the Georgia Department of Education.
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GOLD Grant Writing Webinars Aug 12 and Sep 10, 2025
Keith Crandall and Renee Shirley-Stevens of the Georgia Department of Education and Karan Wood of the Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) will present grant-writing webinars for prospective GOLD Grant applicants on August 12 and Sep 10, 2025. A recording of the 2024 webinar, a slide deck that was presented, and answers to select questions received during the webinar are provided below.
Frequently-Asked Questions (selected from previous grant rounds)
What is the "environmental education continuum" referenced in the grant application?
The "ee continuum" - shown in the graphic below - emphasizes that effective outdoor learning is more than educators imparting knowledge about the environment. It is an opportunity to engage students in observing real-world phenomena, conducting investigations, solving authentic problems, testing prototypes, and making a difference in the world.
I have a question about GaBOE District Map and GaBOE district in which project will be located. Does this application ask about my school location or where we are going on a field trip. My school is in (X) County. I want to take our kids to another county. Which county do I list?
Please list the county in which your school is located.
Quick question -- our project is a workforce development internship for Title I students. It takes place from June 1 - July 31 -- since the program ends in July, are we not eligible? Or could we apply for funding for half the course of the program?
A project such as the one you describe would span fiscal years. Funds do not roll over from one year to the next . So no, a project that takes place next July would not be eligible but the June part of the project - if it could stand alone, could be eligible for GOLD Grant funds. AND if your school district policy allows payment in advance for goods or services from trusted vendors, GaDOE has no objection to this approach.
Does the grant writer need to be a school staff member? Or can a parent leader submit the grant?
The grant application can be written by a parent or volunteer but the superintendent or designee needs to sign the grant application terms and agreement, providing the name and contact information for the district financial officer.
Can funds be used to cover staff time and mileage to/from a school where professional development will take place?
Out of pocket expenses by educators who are attending professional learning can be eligible expenses if included in the grant budget.
Does the school have to be a title one school in order to be eligible?
No - schools do not need to be Title I to be eligible. However points are awarded for economic need as indicated by any of four indicators, including Title 1 status and rate of free or reduced price lunches.
In my county, the use of Google docs is not possible through our computers. I am working on this at home on my personal computer. Is there a way to complete the document on line to share with our administration prior to submitting to the state? I have not been able to find support through my technology dept.
You can review the questions in the application by opening the Preview document (which is in pdf format). You may be able to convert the pdf to a Word document. Answers can be prepared and shared with administrators before pasting them into the google doc to submit the application.
I wanted to know if the application is able to be saved on the site with out submitting to access along the way?
Yes, as long as you are logged into Google.
From the Con App side - Is this a federal funded grant or a state grant?
GOLD Grants are state funded - but most district do not have a state grants specialist so the District federal grants person should be listed in the application.
With which school district should a RESA partner, if the RESA intends to provide services to multiple schools through a grant-funded project?
A RESA can apply directly without going through a school district. Please list the RESA financial staff person and have the executive director sign off on the application.
A district has already submitted an application on behalf of two partnering schools. May one of those schools also submit another application?
Yes, an application from the school would be accepted, despite being included in another application submitted by the district, assuming the applications seek funding for different projects. These applications would compete with each other - and one of the goals of the GOLD Grant program is to spread resources throughout the state - but it is theoretically possible that both could be funded (one: if it is the highest ranked in its state school board district, and the other: if it is one of the top-ranked applications state-wide, after one grant has been awarded in every state school board district).
A project such as the one you describe would span fiscal years. Funds do not roll over from one year to the next . So no, a project that takes place next July would not be eligible but the June part of the project - if it could stand alone, could be eligible for GOLD Grant funds. AND if your school district policy allows payment in advance for goods or services from trusted vendors, GaDOE has no objection to this approach.
Does the grant writer need to be a school staff member? Or can a parent leader submit the grant?
The grant application can be written by a parent or volunteer but the superintendent or designee needs to sign the grant application terms and agreement, providing the name and contact information for the district financial officer.
Can funds be used to cover staff time and mileage to/from a school where professional development will take place?
Out of pocket expenses by educators who are attending professional learning can be eligible expenses if included in the grant budget.
Does the school have to be a title one school in order to be eligible?
No - schools do not need to be Title I to be eligible. However points are awarded for economic need as indicated by any of four indicators, including Title 1 status and rate of free or reduced price lunches.
In my county, the use of Google docs is not possible through our computers. I am working on this at home on my personal computer. Is there a way to complete the document on line to share with our administration prior to submitting to the state? I have not been able to find support through my technology dept.
You can review the questions in the application by opening the Preview document (which is in pdf format). You may be able to convert the pdf to a Word document. Answers can be prepared and shared with administrators before pasting them into the google doc to submit the application.
I wanted to know if the application is able to be saved on the site with out submitting to access along the way?
Yes, as long as you are logged into Google.
From the Con App side - Is this a federal funded grant or a state grant?
GOLD Grants are state funded - but most district do not have a state grants specialist so the District federal grants person should be listed in the application.
With which school district should a RESA partner, if the RESA intends to provide services to multiple schools through a grant-funded project?
A RESA can apply directly without going through a school district. Please list the RESA financial staff person and have the executive director sign off on the application.
A district has already submitted an application on behalf of two partnering schools. May one of those schools also submit another application?
Yes, an application from the school would be accepted, despite being included in another application submitted by the district, assuming the applications seek funding for different projects. These applications would compete with each other - and one of the goals of the GOLD Grant program is to spread resources throughout the state - but it is theoretically possible that both could be funded (one: if it is the highest ranked in its state school board district, and the other: if it is one of the top-ranked applications state-wide, after one grant has been awarded in every state school board district).
Previously Awarded
GOLD Grants
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Click for different layers --> (years of GOLD Grants)
Click down arrow on left side of chart and then click the name of a grant recipient to see project info
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<-- Click square to open a larger map
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GOLD Grants awarded for the 2024-25 School Year (Round 3)
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2024-25 Grant Applications at a Glance
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Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 801066 | Acworth, GA 30101 EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program , activities, or employment. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here . Grievance officer may be contacted at [email protected] |