Washington DC K-12 Education Grants & Funding Resources

What Grants Are Available in Washington D.C.?

1. District of Columbia Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF)
   • What it is: The Uniform Per Student Funding Formula is the District of Columbia’s primary education funding system that distributes local funding to public schools and charter schools based on student enrollment and grade-level weights. For the 2024–25 school year, the foundation level funding is $14,668 per student, with adjustments applied based on grade levels and additional student needs.
   • Why it matters: UPSFF funding supports the operating budgets of schools across Washington, DC, making it a flexible funding source for operational improvements. Schools can allocate portions of these funds to implement systems like Touchpoint SmartClocks, which help improve staff accountability, streamline time tracking, and support operational oversight without requiring a separate grant program.
     
     
2. DC Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
   
   • What it is: The Capital Improvement Plan is the District of Columbia’s capital budgeting process used to fund major school facility modernization projects. Each year, DC Public Schools proposes projects that are prioritized through a data-driven framework considering equity factors, enrollment demand, neighborhood population growth, and building conditions. The Mayor includes these projects in the capital budget, which is then reviewed and approved by the DC Council before implementation. 
   • Why it matters: Because the CIP funds major infrastructure upgrades and facility modernization projects, it often supports installed technology systems that operate as part of the building environment. Schools undergoing modernization can incorporate operational infrastructure such as Touchpoint SmartClocks, which function as wall-mounted facility technology that improves staff accountability, supports workforce management, and enhances operational oversight across school campuses.
     
     
3. District of Columbia Charter School Facilities Allowance
   
   • What it is: The Charter School Facilities Allowance is a per-student funding allocation provided to Washington, DC public charter schools to support the costs of facilities and building infrastructure. For the 2024–2025 school year, charter schools receive $3,734 per pupil for non-residential facilities and $10,083 per pupil for residential facilities through the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula.
   • Why it matters: Because DC charter schools must independently finance their buildings and facility infrastructure, the facilities allowance is often used to fund building-based technology systems. Schools can allocate portions of this recurring funding to install operational infrastructure like Touchpoint SmartClocks, which function as wall-mounted facility technology that improves staff accountability, time tracking accuracy, and operational oversight across campus facilities.