Building a Successful PBIS Program: Funding Your School Store Vending Machine
Building a strong PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program takes more than just enthusiasm—it takes a plan, resources, and the right tools to create a positive and engaging school climate. But funding doesn’t have to stand in your way! The Spirit Box vending machine is a fun and engaging tool that aligns perfectly with your PBIS goals and makes recognizing positive behavior easier and more exciting than ever. With flexible, creative funding options, you can bring Spirit Box to life in your elementary school—no matter your budget.
Here’s your complete guide to funding ideas, resources, and strategies to make Spirit Box a key part of your elementary PBIS program!
Why Fund Spirit Box for Elementary PBIS?
Spirit Box isn’t just a vending machine for schools—it’s a daily tool for building a positive culture of respect, responsibility, and kindness in your school. It’s hands-on, student-led, and designed to simplify PBIS for teachers and staff while making positive behavior real and rewarding for students.
Here’s how Spirit Box supports your PBIS goals:
Reinforces Positive Behavior in Real-Time
Spirit Box provides immediate, visible rewards that students can choose themselves—making behavior expectations clear and motivating.
Builds a Culture of Kindness and Responsibility
When students see their good behavior recognized and celebrated, they’re more likely to repeat it—and your school’s culture grows stronger every day.
Makes School More Fun and Inclusive
Spirit Box turns positive behavior into a daily opportunity for students to feel seen and celebrated—creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Simplifies PBIS for Staff
No more constant tracking or manual reward systems. Spirit Box automates incentives, saving teachers time and making the process consistent across classrooms.
When you add a school store vending machine to your PBIS program, you’re investing in a tool that makes positive behavior more engaging, visible, and easy to celebrate!
funding options
1. PBIS & SEL Grant Funds
Many states and districts offer grants to support PBIS programs and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives—because when schools focus on climate and behavior, everyone benefits.
Why Spirit Box Fits:
✔️ Enhances Your PBIS Framework: Spirit Box gives students a clear, engaging system to earn daily recognition.
✔️ Supports SEL: By linking behavior to core values like kindness, teamwork, and perseverance, Spirit Box strengthens your school’s SEL efforts.
Where to Find Funding:
State Department of Education PBIS or SEL Grants
District Grants Focused on Climate and SEL
Regional or County Support Networks for School Culture
Pro Tip: Use your data! Grant reviewers love to see how your school's proposed project will track and measure behavioral improvements. Spirit Box integrates seamlessly with SWIS (School-Wide Information System) or other PBIS data tracking methods. Show how the vending machine makes positive behavior visible and measurable—right from day one! Highlight how you will collect data on redemption rates, popular rewards, and how these metrics correlate with reductions in negative behavioral referrals or increases in positive behavioral acknowledgments. This data-driven approach demonstrates accountability and the potential for a high return on investment for grant funds.
Title I & School Improvement Funds
Title I funds help schools create equitable opportunities and support students who need extra help. While these funds are often used for academic support, they can also strengthen school climate and reduce barriers to learning.
How Spirit Box Supports Title I Goals:
✔️ Boosts Student Engagement: When students have clear, fun ways to earn rewards, they’re more excited to come to school every day.
✔️ Reduces Behavior Challenges: Spirit Box creates a structured reward system that’s consistent and fair across classrooms.
✔️ Connects to Attendance and Engagement: By creating a positive, supportive environment, Spirit Box helps students feel like they belong.
Action Step: Work with your Title I or school improvement team to connect Spirit Box to your data on behavior, climate, and attendance. Show how your school store vending machine isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategy to make school more inclusive and engaging for every student.
2. Parent & Community Group Support
Parents, PTAs, and community groups are always looking for ways to make school more positive and fun for kids. Spirit Box is an easy sell—it’s visible, it’s exciting, and it creates a system where every student feels seen and celebrated.
What Works:
✔️ Host an Info Session: Share how Spirit Box fits into your PBIS goals and how it helps every student thrive.
✔️ Show Student Stories: Photos of students choosing their rewards and setting goals make a big impact!
✔️ Highlight Community Spirit: Spirit Box is a visible sign of your school’s commitment to kindness and respect.
Bonus: Many PTAs and PTOs have flexible funds that can support projects like Spirit Box—especially when they see how it builds school spirit and creates daily moments of celebration.
3. Local Business & Community Sponsorships
Local businesses and community partners are often eager to support school vending machines that build positive behavior and real-world skills. Spirit Box is a perfect fit because it connects to community values like responsibility, teamwork, and kindness—while also teaching students about saving, prioritizing, and working toward goals.
How to Approach Potential Sponsors:
✔️ Explain the Big Picture: Spirit Box isn’t just a vending machine—it’s a hands-on learning opportunity that shows students how small steps add up to big rewards.
✔️ Offer Sponsorship Opportunities: Many businesses are happy to sponsor a refill of rewards, provide coupons or small prizes, or have their logo featured as a community supporter.
✔️ Make It Real: Invite them to see Spirit Box in action and hear from students who are earning their rewards.
Examples of Community Support:
A local business (e.g., an accounting firm, real estate agency, or law office) might sponsor a "reward refill" for a semester or year, receiving prominent recognition for their ongoing support of behavioral excellence.
Restaurants and small retail businesses can donate coupons for free meals, snacks, or small, themed items as desirable PBIS rewards. This drives traffic to their establishments while providing valuable incentives for students.
A community bank or credit union could help sponsor a "financial literacy day" where students learn how to track their earning points, set goals for specific rewards, and understand the value of positive choices. They might also provide fun, branded financial-themed rewards (e.g., mini piggy banks, play money kits).
Local sporting goods stores could donate branded gear or gift certificates for athletic equipment as rewards for students demonstrating teamwork or sportsmanship.
Service-based businesses (e.g., a car wash, hair salon) might offer vouchers for their services as higher-tier rewards, appealing to older students.
4. District or State Climate & Culture Funds
Many districts and state agencies have specific funding to build positive school culture—because they know that when students feel supported, they’re more likely to succeed.
How to Make the Case:
✔️ Show the Impact: Use your data on behavior and attendance to show how Spirit Box directly addresses climate challenges.
✔️ Connect to Core Values: Spirit Box is designed to make PBIS rewards consistent, fair, and aligned with your school’s climate-building goals.
5. Career Connected Learning & CTE Pathways
Spirit Box isn’t just about PBIS—it also supports career-connected learning and hands-on learning activities for students. When students help manage the school store vending machine, they’re learning real-world business skills like:
Inventory management
Marketing and promotion
Financial tracking and budgeting
Leadership and teamwork
These hands-on activities connect directly to CTE pathways and career clusters like business, marketing, and finance. For older elementary students or upper grades, Spirit Box becomes a mini-lab for project-based learning (PBL)—an experience that can spark curiosity and build future-ready skills.
More Creative Funding Options to Explore
If you’re still looking for ways to fund your school store vending machine, here are some creative options that build excitement and community:
Classic Fundraisers: Car washes, bake sales, or spirit nights bring families together and generate funds.
Third-Party Platforms: DonorsChoose, GoFundMe, and AdoptAClassroom let you share your story and inspire supporters near and far.
Student-Run Shops: Students can sell snacks, school supplies, or spirit wear to help fund Spirit Box—turning the experience into a true hands-on learning project.
Local Mini-Grants: City councils and local economic development groups sometimes offer mini-grants to support youth innovation—check out what’s available in your community.
Program Fees: With principal approval, a small fee (like $5–$10 per student) can offset startup costs and build long-term sustainability.
Borrow or Partial Repayment: If you’re close to your goal, some donors or sponsors might be open to a repayment plan—especially when they see your passion for building a strong PBIS program.
Making the Most of Your Funding
No matter which funding path you choose, here’s how to strengthen your proposal:
Use Data: Share behavior, climate, and attendance numbers to show how Spirit Box fits in.
Tell Student Stories: Real stories make your case relatable and inspiring.
Highlight Long-Term Benefits: Spirit Box isn’t just a short-term project—it’s a system that grows with your students and builds a stronger school climate every year.
Let’s Bring Spirit Box to Your Elementary PBIS Program!
Spirit Box is already helping schools like Sitton Elementary and others across the country build PBIS programs that are consistent, fun, and aligned with their school’s core values. It’s more than a school supply vending machine—it’s a tool for building a culture of respect, responsibility, and kindness.
Wrap-Up:
You don’t need a huge budget or a single big grant to bring Spirit Box to your elementary PBIS program. With creativity, collaboration, and the right funding plan, your school store vending machine can transform how you recognize and reward positive behavior—every day. Let’s work together to make your PBIS program stronger, more engaging, and more rewarding for every student!