The 2016 National Back-To-School Guide: Free Resources for Students & Teachers

A new school year means fresh starts and blank sheets of notebook paper. It’s when sun-tanned students return to their books and try to remember what it’s like to stay indoors and study. It’s also perhaps one of the rare times when students and teachers are on the exact same page — in need of affordable school supplies.

When August looms on the horizon of summer fun, it’s time to start buying paper, folders, backpacks, and other school-time essentials. All this can quickly add up for students and teachers, but not if they know what free resources are available.

Below we’ve categorized 61 national and local organizations that offer free school supplies, lunch programs, online printables, back-to-school advice, scholarships, grants, and other supportive materials. Teachers, click here to jump down to our Free Resources for Teachers section. Students, read on and study up!

On average, sending a K-12 student back to school costs about $100 in school supplies alone, so snagging free backpacks, notebooks, and other necessary items can make attending school much more affordable. The resources we’ve listed below are an excellent place to start your back-to-school shopping.

Raise your hand if you’re ready to start browsing and learning! To jump ahead of the class to specific student resources, use the links below for the different categories we have to offer.

Free School Supplies for Students

School supplies are important — and not just because a kindergartner’s social worth is measured by how many crayons he or she has. Not having something to write with or something to write on can seriously impede a student’s education. No one wants to start off the school year less prepared than their peers.

Here are 8 national and local organizations that provide free school supplies for underprivileged students:

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
The Salvation Army	Provides hunger relief, housing & homeless services and emergency disaster relief	Back-to-School Supply Drive	Tel: 1-(800) 323-9084
Boys & Girls Clubs of America	Fosters life-enhancing and skill-building programs for boys and girls in the U.S.	Back-to-School Campaign	Tel: (404) 487-5700
First Book	Distributes millions of books and educational resources to programs and schools	Access to New Books	Tel: (866) READ-NOW
Voice 4 Nations	Combats homelessness, contaminated water, and bullying	Operation Give Back	Tel: (866) 597-4700
Back-to-School Roundup	Offers school supplies to underserved students and families in Tarrant County, Texas	Pre-Registration	Tel: (817) 754-0227
Kids in Need Foundation	Ensures that kids are prepared for school with all the supplies they need	School-Ready Supplies	info@kinf.org
Operation Homefront	Assists service members, wounded warriors, and families; hosts a nationwide school-supply collection campaign annually	Back-to-School Brigade	Tel: (210) 549-4600
Alameda Education Foundation	Gives K-12 students from low-income households school supplies and new backpacks	Equipped 4 Success	Tel: (510) 337-7189

All these charitable groups are dedicated to helping underprivileged students prep for school with programs offering free supplies.

Free Back-To-School Clothes for Students

We’ve put together a list of 4 local foundations and national organizations that offer free back-to-school clothes and uniforms to eligible students. Some host annual charity-sponsored drives while others collect donations all year round.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Back-to-School Clothing Drive	Arizona’s oldest and largest distributor of school uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to students attending Title 1 elementary schools	School Uniform Programs	info@btscd.com
Treehouse for Kids	Gives foster kids in WA access to the resources and support systems they need in order to graduate from high school	Academic Programs	Tel: (206) 767-7000
Back-to-School Clothes for Kids	Offers new school clothing to needy children in Westchester and the Bronx	New School Clothing	Tel: (914) 576-6053
Citizens Caring for Children	Supports foster kids in Oklahoma by meeting their material, emotional, and intellectual needs	Back-to-School Program	Tel: (405) 753-4099

These groups will quickly have students dressed to impress — without a high price tag.

Free Lunch Programs for Students

Buying lunch every day for the whole school year can take a toll on financially struggling families, so the following 3 national school lunch (and breakfast) programs provide free or low-cost meals to eligible students.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
United States Department of Agriculture	Funds a federally assisted meal program that gives nutritional and low-cost or free lunches to children each school day	National School Lunch Program	By State
Food Research & Action Center	Provides a fresh fruit or vegetable snack to all students in participating schools; encouraging healthier school environments	National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program	Tel: (202) 986-2200
Feeding America	Reduces child hunger, promotes good nutrition, and provides nutritionally balanced food each school day	School Breakfast Program	Tel: (800) 771-2303

These charitable groups serve a vital role in the U.S. education system. When you feed your brain, you’ll be ready for whatever your teachers can throw at you.

Free Scholarships & Programs for Students

Certain organizations and associations offer scholarships and mentoring programs to promising young students, helping the next generation make their academic dreams a reality. Online, you can find a world of opportunity for growth and support. Eligible students have the chance to earn thousands of dollars to advance their future education.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
The National Society of High School Scholars	Supports the development of scholars in ethical action, service leadership and pursuit of academic excellence	Scholarship Opportunities	Tel: (866) 343-1800
The NEA Foundation	Provides grants to foster problem solving and critical thinking in students at U.S. public schools and higher education	Student Achievement Grants	Tel: (202) 822-7840
Step Up for Students	Alleviates the educational challenges faced by Floridian children who live in or near poverty	Income-based & Special Needs Scholarships	Tel: (877) 735-7837
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity	A free 8-year program in NYC and San Francisco that helps over 700 public high school students get to and through college	SEO Scholars Program	seoscholars@seo-usa.org
Reading is Fundamental	Provides free books and literacy resources to children and their families, motivating kids to read more	Books for Ownership	Tel: 1-(877)-RIF-READ
Schools on Wheels	Enhances educational opportunities for homeless K-12 kids; provides them with the highest level of education possible	Academic and B.U.S. Programs	Tel: (805) 641-1678
Military Child Education Coalition	Serves as a model for positive leadership and ensures quality educational opportunities for military-connected kids	Scholarships & Programs	Tel: (254) 953-1923

High-achieving and hard-working students will find plenty of opportunity for success with the financial support of these scholarships and learning programs. Most have specific requirements, so be sure to read carefully through the description before applying.

Helpful Back-to-School Advice for Students

Heading back to school can be a rough transition for students as well as parents. Here are some beneficial articles and guides on how students can tackle common back-to-school issues. For parents who want to get their kids off on the right foot and for students in need of a quick refresher before the first day of school, these 6 resources have wonderful free advice.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Understood.org	Helps millions of parents whose children (ages 3-20) struggle with learning and attention issues	School & Learning Articles	support@understood.org
National Parent Teacher Association	Engages and empowers families to advocate for all children so that they may reach their potential	Parents’ Guides to Student Success	Tel: (703) 518-1200
National Association of School Psychologists	Assists school psychologists by advancing effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health	Back-to-School Guides for Families	Tel: (301) 657-0270
National Association for Gifted Children	Develops policies and practices that stimulate, support, and challenge gifted students	Back-to-School Resource Roundup	Tel: (202) 785-4268
School Family	Provides parents with expert insight on how their kids can make the most of their school year	Articles, Blog, Quizzes & Printables	info@schoolfamily.com
GreatKids!	Offers invaluable content and tools for  parents raising kids from preschool to 12th grade	Back-to-School Lists & Articles	help@greatschools.org

Just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean your kids should stop learning and growing — parents can help their kids stay sharp by having access to age-appropriate learning materials. Whether you’re a student looking for academic prep materials or a parent in need of tips on back-to-school shopping, you’ll find many websites greatly beneficial to students readying for the fall.

Free Online Resources for Students

To help students excel starting from the first day of school and beyond, these 7 organizations provide free worksheets, learning tools, and other printables on various subjects and topics. To brush up on school-related material before school actually starts, take a look at these free learning tools.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Edudemic	Creates awesome students through expert guides, technological tools, and evidence-driven learning strategies	Online Tools & Guides	edudemic@gmail.com
Education.com	Serves as a digital resource of diverse and high-caliber content for parents, students, and teachers across the country	Worksheets & Printables	Support Center
Free Software Foundation	Promotes the development and use of free software for computer users in schools and homes	Free Software	info@fsf.org
Shmoop	Balances a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous materials to help students understand why academics matter	Learning Guides	support@shmoop.com
Reading Rockets	Offers information about how young kids learn to read, the challenges of literacy, and how caring adults can help	Topics, Strategies & Tip Sheets	readingrockets@weta.org
Reading is Fundamental	Provides free new books, reading checkups, and other literacy resources to children, encouraging independent reading	Literacy Resources	1-(877) RIF-READ
Apache OpenOffice	Provides open-source software projects for the public good	OpenOffice Software	Contact Page

Giving students a great start in school will increase their chances of succeeding in higher education. The folks at The Apache Software Foundation couldn’t agree more. We spoke with project management committee member Rob Weir who said the organization offers free software because they want everyone to have the same opportunity to achieve their academic goals — no matter their income:

“We want to ensure that everyone can have access to this software around the world. Our volunteers are pleased to contribute to that effort.” — Rob Weir, The Apache Software Foundation

So take advantage of these free resources, not only to save money, but to improve every student’s educational experience overall.

Sometimes teachers need just as much help as students getting prepped for the first day of school. To help out, we’ve gathered some of the best organizations that give teachers the resources to inspire their students. From supplies to advice, these helpful places on the web will get you ready for the school year.

Got something specific in mind? You can use the navigation below to jump down to the category that interests you:

Free School Supplies for Teachers

Teachers don’t just give their time to their students, they often give their own money to make sure their classrooms are as helpful as possible.

In 2013, the Retail Market Awareness Study found that 99.5 percent of all public school teachers spend an average $485 of their own money on school supplies throughout the school year. To give teachers the resources they need at little-to-no cost,  the following 6 organizations provide free classroom supplies.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Classwish	Fulfills a teacher’s Wish List by engaging community support around education	Classroom Resources	feedback@classwish.org
First Book	Distributes millions of books and educational resources to programs and schools in need	Receive Books for Your Classroom	Tel: (866) READ-NOW
A Gift for Teaching	Improves public education by providing a surplus of materials free to teachers at high-needs schools	A Gift for Teaching Free Stores	Tel: (407) 318-3123
Donors Choose	Lets donors find worthy causes and projects in schools all over the U.S.	Create a Project	Donor Contact Form
Supply Our Schools	Matches donors with the needs of teachers and students in underprivileged school districts	Teacher Registration	info@supplyourschools.org
Adopt a Classroom	Gives first-year and seasoned teachers a hand by providing necessary classroom materials for art, music, and literacy	Connect for Success	Tel: (877) 444-7666

The right teaching supplies for your classroom are readily available through the charitable efforts of organizations like these. You don’t have to invest your own hard-earned cash to help your students succeed — simply go online to find a low-cost option.

Free Grants & Programs for Teachers

Great teaching means great research; it doesn’t just happen on its own. That’s why these national organizations and associations help teachers build on their expertise and knowledge base with useful grants and programs that help cover the cost of continuing education. We’ve picked out 7 grant and funding opportunities that can help you become an ever better teacher.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Teach.com	Dedicates its education resources to discovering, discussing, and encouraging great teaching around the world	Grants for Teachers	info@teach.com
TeachersCount	Raises the status of the teaching profession and provides resources to the education community	Topical Grants for Teachers	info@teacherscount.org
Digital Wish	Develops new online tools and promotions that enable teachers to get new technology for their classrooms	Apply for Grants	Tel: (866) 344-7758
National Art Education Association	Advances visual arts education to fulfill human potential and promote global enlightenment	Grants & Opportunities	Tel: (703) 860-8000
The NEA Foundation	Provides funding, best-practice ideas, support, and accolades for educators at U.S. public schools and higher education	Special Grants to Educators	Tel: (202) 822-7840
International Literacy Association	A global advocacy organization that publishes cutting-edge research on literacy	Awards & Grants for 2015	Tel: (800) 336-7323
National Charter School Resource Center	Provides on-demand resources and technical assistance to support high-quality charter schools	Upcoming Funding Opportunities	Tel: (713) 955-2727

Grants are a great way to further the education and development of teachers in the U.S. If you want to learn how to better serve your students, you might want to consider applying for a grant to support your efforts.

Back-to-School Advice for Teachers

Feeling a little nervous about the first day? Maybe you’re looking to refresh your technique on rewarding good behavior or want to explore new seating arrangements for the classroom.Articles abound with advice and tips to help smooth the back-to-school transition for teachers old and new. These 8 organizations provide excellent strategies and tips for starting off the school year right.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Education World	Offers a complete online resource that teachers, administrators, and school staff can use to find original and quality content	Tips & Resources	Tel: (800) 227-0831
National Education Association	Advocates for education professionals and fulfills the promise of public education to prepare every student for the world	Advice & Support	Tel: (202) 833-4000
Scholastic	Encourages intellectual and personal growth of all kids with printable materials and planning tools	Teachers Section	Tel: 1-(800) SCHOLASTIC
National Association for the Education of Young Children	Publishes development resources intended to improve the quality of programs for young kids from birth to age 8	Publications	Tel: (202) 232-8777
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network	Focuses on ensuring safe schools for all students of all orientations and backgrounds	Educator Resources	Tel: (212) 727-0135
Institution of Education Sciences	Provides rigorous and relevant evidence on successful educational methods and shares this information with teachers	Topics in Education	Tel: (212) 727-0135
Teaching Tolerance	Leading a discussion with educators who care about tolerance, diversity, equal opportunity, and respect in schools	Classroom Resources	Tel: (334) 956-8200
Council for Exceptional Children	Improves the educational success of individuals with disabilities, gifts, and/or talents	Special & Gifted Topics	Tel: 1-(888) 232-7733

Teachers interested in improving their teaching methods can peruse articles intended to inform and advise on hot topic areas in education.

Free Online Resources for Teachers

Good teachers are always on the lookout for cheaper ways to incorporate new techniques and technologies in the classroom. These 11 organizations offer free online teaching tools to augment a teacher’s influence on his or her students.

Organization	Mission	Resources	Contact Information
Discovery Education	Transforms classrooms and captivates students by leading the way in educational content for grades K-12	Free Teacher Resources	Tel: 1-(800) 323-9084
Educents	Offers an online marketplace for affordable educational products	Freebies for Teachers	Tel: 1-(800) 805-8460
International Literacy Association	Publishes cutting-edge research on literacy and advocates making literacy accessible across the globe	Units & Lesson Plans	Tel: (800) 336-7323
National Council of Teachers of English	Improves the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education	Lesson Plans & Teaching Resources	Tel: (217) 328-3870
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools	Provides educators, policymakers, and advocates with information they need to increase civic learning in the classroom	Lessons Plans & Programs	Tel: (301) 850-7450
Edudemic	Connects education with technology by emphasizing how technology positively shapes the educational process	Tech & Online Tools Guides	edudemic@gmail.com
Teaching Channel	Creates a community where teachers can watch, share, and learn new techniques to help every student grow	Videos	help@teachingchannel.org
Adolescent Literacy	Gives information, strategies, and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescents grades 4-12	Resource for Teachers	Tel: (703) 998-2600
Edutopia	Showcases what works in education so K-12 students can thrive in their studies, careers, and adult lives	Over 80 Educational Topics	info@edutopia.org
Free Software Foundation	Secures freedom for computer users by promoting the development and use of free software	Free Software	info@fsf.org
Apache OpenOffice	Provides open-source software projects for the public good	OpenOffice Software	Support Forum

These organizations believe teachers should have all the tools they need to make the school year an incredible one for every student under their charge. This idealistic goal is one of the most important components of the International Literacy Association:

“Educators are the foundation of ILA’s literacy mission, which is why we aim to give teachers the tools they need to do their best work in the classroom and their communities.” — Lara DeLoza, International Literacy Association

Groups like the ILA are doing their part, but there’s always more that can be done to promote education in the U.S. If every organization and individual pitches in to help our teachers, the future of education will look even brighter.

Hopefully you broke out your No. 2 pencils and took notes on where to find the best, most affordable school supplies and resources on the web. Students and teachers can take advantage of these outstanding tools so they have all they need to succeed from the first day of school and onward.

Kicking off the school year with confidence is easy when you have donors, nonprofits, and other organizations rooting you on. These foundations offer books, clothes, grants, software, and other resources to make a positive impact on the education of the next generation. Our in-depth 2016 National Guide for Students & Teachers highlights easy ways to save money and prepare to head back to school at the same time. Happy studies!