The Freedom’s Frontier Bus on Us! grant program is designed to assist educators and schools with the cost of transportation to field trips within the heritage area, and particularly to one of our partner sites, that also align with the themes of Freedom’s Frontier. You must apply for and be approved before the trip, including (and preferably submitting verified) estimation of transportation costs from your school. Please submit your application at a minimum of two weeks prior to your trip. 

No more than $250 will be paid toward close-out report with the final invoice after the trip, received within 14 days of travel. 

Any registered/officially sanctioned student-focused field trip to an FFNHA partner located within the 41 counties of the heritage area and related to Freedom’s Frontier themes is eligible for funding towards reimbursement of transportation (i.e., bus rental) up to a maximum of $250. Applicants should have 15+  K-12 students participating from accredited Pre or K-12 public, private, or charter schools who wish to discover and explore the themes of the heritage area. Only one grant per classroom and/or school may be awarded within each grant cycle (or school year). Other non-partner destinations or small group trips shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Grants are awarded to complete and approved applications on a first come, first serve basis until all funding for that grant cycle is depleted. A notice will be made on our website when the current funding has been depleted for that grant cycle.

To receive transportation reimbursement, educators must submit a close-out report and all other necessary documentation within 14 calendar days of completing the field trip. If any documents are not submitted on time,  reimbursement of up to $250 shall not be released. This includes both the invoice/receipt for the cost of the transportation as well as the completed Close-Out Report. We also welcome stories, quotes, and or pictures to use in encouraging future donations to this program.