Federal initiatives, such as the Technology Innovation and Technology Literacy Challenge Grants, provide start-up funds. Also check with private foundations and corporations, especially those operating in your area. More and more schools are setting up nonprofit foundations to encourage tax-deductible contributions from area businesses and individuals. Since this is a lengthy procedure, first check with your school district and then with the Internal Revenue Service to see if this a workable alternative. Filing the necessary paperwork and obtaining various approvals can take six months or more, so if you're considering this step, you'll want to get started as soon as possible.
Businesses are often willing to contribute used computers and other equipment.
However, donated equipment sometimes causes more headaches than it's worth. Contributions of time and expertise are often the greatest value a local business can offer. In California, for example, businesses sponsored a NetDay. Some 20,000 volunteers got together to run more than six million feet of wire in the state's schools. Volunteerism can work on a smaller scale, too.