PTA Grant Funds

PTA operates two grant funds: the Staff and Student Activities Grant Fund and the Field Trip Fund. 

The Staff and Student Activities Grant program funds materials, projects, and experiences beyond the core basics provided by Arlington Public Schools. Grants support learning experiences during the school day, extracurricular activities (ex. student clubs), and other initiatives that benefit the school community.

The Field Trip Fund helps to defray the cost of field trips for Abingdon students, such as by paying the APS school bus transportation fee. The goal is to ensure that every Abingdon student can enjoy the many amazing cultural and educational venues the Washington DC area offers.

Grant Program Details

• PTA allocates funds for the grant program in its annual budget. For the 2025-2026 school year, the PTA has budgeted $10,000 for grants.

• Any member of the Abingdon staff may apply for themselves, on behalf of several staff members (ex. a grant request by all 3rd Grade teachers), or as the staff representative for a student club or other extracurricular activity.

• This year, the PTA has established a grant application schedule as follows:

  1. Any grant requests received by October 31, 2025 will be reviewed as part of the first grant cycle.

  2. Grant requests will be reviewed and decisions will be communicated to staff by mid-November. (If funds are needed before mid-November, staff may note this on the application form.)

• After this initial cycle, grant requests may continue to be submitted. All requests received after 10/31 will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Staff and Student Activities Grant Committee until all budgeted funds have been dispensed.

• Requests may be funded in whole, in part, or not at all, at the discretion of the Staff and Student Activities Grant Committee.

• When a grant is approved, PTA will pay directly for the item or service whenever possible.

• For grants involving durable goods, recipient sign a form to acknowledge that the granted items are now property of Abingdon Elementary School; PTA will not be responsible for any maintenance or subsequent costs; and the items will stay at Abingdon Elementary regardless of staff turnover.