Funding Your Spirit Box School Store
From federal grants to local sponsors, there are multiple ways to fund your Spirit Box school store. Whether you're a CTE coordinator, PBIS leader, or student entrepreneur, we've helped hundreds of schools find funding that fits.
Start with What You Have
Many schools already have funds available—they just need a plan.
Encourage schools to look internally first:
Perkins V / CTE budget allocations
PBIS/MTSS reward system funding
DECA/BPA chapter budgets
vending revenue
Student activity funds or club funds
Principal’s discretionary budget
Choose a Smart Startup Option
Not every school pays up front.
Start Small
Use a limited product assortment and build inventory over time with profit.
Self-Fund with Reimbursement
Use student activity funds, then reimburse through vending sales.
Shared Funding Models
Split costs between two departments or clubs.
Payment Plans or Purchase Orders
Work with your admin team to set up structured payments through your district.
Use Grants for Full or Partial Funding
CTE/Perkins V Funding
Literacy Grants
Workforce Readiness or Career Pathways Grants
Title I & Equity Funding
Community Impact or Wellness Grants
Local Funding Options That Work
Your community wants to help—you just have to ask.
PTO / PTA
Parent organizations often fund school improvement projects or student-led initiatives.
Booster Clubs
Especially at high schools—these groups are motivated by student leadership and visibility.
Community Sponsors
Local businesses may sponsor your vending machine in exchange for a shoutout on the machine or your school’s social media.
Mini-Grants
Look for funding from local education foundations, banks, or chambers of commerce.
Outside-the-Box Funding Ideas
Inspire creative approaches with real examples from Spirit Box schools:
T-shirt sales to raise startup funds
Sticker vending before the machine arrives
DonorsChoose or GoFundMe campaigns
Senior class legacy gift
District-wide pitch competitions
Spirit wear profit share with local vendors
the Results speak for themselves
In just 6-8 weeks, you can have a school store vending machine up and running. Spirit Box provides an out-of-the-box business your school can plug into on day one without the risks and pains of a startup.
SNACK BOX
New York
Tappan Zee High School
SALES $43,389
2024-25
SPIRIT BOX
Indiana
Park Tudor High School
SALES $43,021
2024-25
BEVERAGE BOX
New Mexico
Rio Rancho High School
SALES $42,678
2024-25
Need Help Finding the Right Fit?
We’ve worked with schools of all sizes and budgets. Whether you need help writing a proposal, finding a grant, or getting a purchase order approved—we’ve got your back.