In its truest sense, education is a right that every human being has to grow and develop into their full potential. A well-rounded education involves learning about the world and how to interact with it maturely.
Unfortunately, many children in low-income communities lack the essential resources needed to learn to the best of their ability. Thankfully, many organizations help support students and teachers in low-income communities across America.
Sources of school system funding
As of today, American public schools are funded from various sources. About half of school funding comes from state taxes, and the other half comes from homeowner property taxes, federal taxes and private entities.
Private entities only account for about 8%–9% of total funding, which means that approximately 91%–92% of financial support for the public school system comes from taxpayer dollars. States vary widely on how much money they put into school systems, however, and in how they allocate their resources.
Because schools are funded primarily through taxes, low-income communities tend to receive less funding than high-income communities. This translates to fewer programs and well-paid teachers for students who are already facing adversity in other areas of life, such as food insecurity.
When combined with social support programs for parents, educational opportunities for low-income children can break the cycle of generational poverty. Many organizations have stepped in to join with schools in low-income areas to serve children and families who are struggling financially.
How grants and sponsorships help lower-income schools
Several kinds of programs may bring additional funding to low-income schools in your area. These programs include federal grants and private donations, as well as funding from many nonprofit organizations.
Federal grants
The federal government sends a portion of taxpayer dollars back into low-income schools through a grant program known as Title I.
State educational agencies may apply for these funds and send them to schools that have a significant number of low-income students. The Title I program positively impacts millions of children each year.
Nonprofit support
If your school has a high percentage of low-income students, you can also connect with nonprofits that provide sponsorships and other forms of needed support for students and families.
Examples of nonprofit school support programs include youth centers, nutrition programs, tutoring, student sponsorships and after-school programs. While school support programs don’t usually give monetary donations, they donate valuable time and resources to help contribute to students’ well-being, learning and growth.
Private donations
Private financial gifts greatly benefit schools since the funding, in its entirety, goes to a specific institution. Much of this type of funding comes from companies and philanthropic foundations.
State lotteries
In some states, the lottery also gives a large chunk of winnings to public school systems. For instance, in the first 10 months of 2021, the Virginia Lottery donated around $766.7 million to support K-12 education to state public schools.
The impact of funding on low-income students
A growing body of research suggests that increased funding improves low-income students’ educational outcomes. Better educational opportunities for students in grades K–12 mean more options for higher education, which can benefit students for the rest of their lives.
Many low-income students struggle with chaotic home lives, food insecurity, late developmental growth, restricted access to educational resources like computers, and other factors that hamper their opportunities.
Better funding and support for low-income communities can help counter the effects of poverty, broadening students’ futures. Well-funded schools can offer nutrition and community support programs, as well as a wider range of advanced classes. These options ensure students’ basic needs are met and also allow them the chance to excel academically.
Although funding is an important factor for educational success, it is not the only thing that matters. Research suggests that sending more finances to low-income school systems doesn’t always lead to improved educational outcomes — results vary depending on how the finances are used, the school’s economic status and many other factors.
Getting additional aid from school support programs can help students succeed, but support from the community and teachers is also incredibly impactful when it comes to a student’s long-term success.
Financial support and the future
When used strategically, donations and other types of financial support can help low-income students gain access to educational opportunities that will help them succeed in school and in life.
The gap between the future we want for low-income students and the limited opportunities they may have can seem daunting. Increased funding opportunities can give students access to more teachers and better educational programs, allowing them to develop fully so they can achieve their dreams.
