REALITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

Funding for the improvement of geography at the precollegiate level ha s increased dramatically, both in the amount of money raised and the n umber of funders making grants. Nevertheless, geography is still not h igh on the priority list of most funders. Geographic educators must pr esent a stronger case to potential funding agencies. Grant seekers mus t define geography appropriately, plan for at least the next five year s, inventory the resources available to move forward, and be sure to e mphasize the present-day relevance of geography's subject matter. Six essential elements for fund raisers are listed, and a short caution co ncerning potential conflicts of interest is offered.