Using funding for professional development
When grants can — and can't — pay for conferences, workshops and memberships.
Read allowable costs carefully
Some programs explicitly allow conference registration and travel; others restrict funds to specific training or exclude travel entirely. Never assume — the allowable-costs section of the guidelines decides, and listings on this site state them where published.
Connect PD to student outcomes
Funders want to see how adult learning changes classroom practice. Name the training, what you will implement afterward, and how students benefit. "Attend a conference" is weak; "bring back a phonics intervention our 2nd grade team will use daily" is strong.
Budget the full cost
Conference funding requests should include registration, travel, lodging, meals and substitute coverage where allowed. A request that only covers registration and leaves $900 of travel unmentioned raises questions.
Find relevant events
Once you've confirmed what's allowed, explore K-12 Conferences, K-12 Workshops and K-12 Memberships for professional learning options worth funding.
Checklist
- Funder explicitly allows the cost type (registration, travel, membership)
- The learning connects to a named classroom or school outcome
- Full cost breakdown, not just the headline fee
- A plan to share the learning with colleagues