Oregon K-12 Education Grants & Funding Resources
How districts in Oregon can fund attendance, HR, and payroll compliance technology
What Grants Are Available in Oregon?
- Oregon State School Fund (SSF)
- What it is: The state’s primary recurring K–12 funding formula, distributing unrestricted state and local funds—via monthly payments—that districts can use for any lawful educational or operational purpose, including technology and infrastructure.
- Why it matters: Because SSF dollars are flexible and recurring, districts can use them to fund Touchpoint SmartClock hardware and absence/time software as part of operations, HR compliance, or school safety strategies—without needing to pursue a competitive grant.
- Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program
- What it is: It provides state matching funds for school districts that pass local general obligation (GO) bonds to improve K–12 school facilities. Matching amounts are determined by need and capped at $6–12 million per district per biennium, depending on the Priority List ranking and funds available.
- Why it matters: If a district includes Touchpoint SmartClocks as part of a bond-funded building security or infrastructure upgrade, the OSCIM match can cover up to 50% of their cost. The program is recurring, predictable, and particularly valuable for low-wealth districts, making it a high-feasibility opportunity for capital-grade hardware—provided SmartClocks are part of the bond scope.
Looking for federal grants? Oregon districts are also eligible for ESSER, E-Rate, Title II, Title IV, and other federal funding. View all federal grant opportunities →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we use safety grants for SmartClocks?
Yes. Many federal and state-level school safety grants allow funding for secure entry systems, visitor management, and accountability technology. Attendance kiosks and time-collection devices often qualify when tied to improving building safety, student supervision, and emergency preparedness.
Do federal funds cover staff training for new systems?
Absolutely. Federal programs like Title II-A and Title IV-A explicitly permit the use of funds for professional development and training. This means districts can not only purchase new compliance or attendance systems, but also train staff to use them effectively.
Which grants require local matches?
Most formula-based federal funds (such as Title I–IV, IDEA, Perkins) do not require a local match. However, some competitive safety and security grants (for example, COPS SVPP or certain state-level safety funds) may require a partial cost share. Districts should review the application guidelines for each program.
What’s the best fit for rural or small districts?
Rural and small districts often benefit most from flexible funding streams such as the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP/RLIS), smaller targeted state safety grants, and regional cooperative programs (like service agencies or intermediate units). These sources are designed to give smaller districts the flexibility to cover essential needs like attendance or HR compliance technology.
Can foundations or private donations support pilot projects?
Yes. Across the U.S., local education foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs frequently support pilot programs, innovative technology, or attendance improvement initiatives. Many states also have tax-credit donation programs where businesses fund local education foundations. These funds can help districts test attendance or HR tools before scaling them district-wide.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Connect with us to see how you could put these grants into action and upgrade your time collection setup