Funding Educational Therapy and Coaching

At The Learning Gardens, we understand that investing in the education and development services that you or your child need can sometimes be a hardship. If you feel our personalized educational therapy or coaching services could significantly benefit you or your child, but the cost creates a hurdle, we encourage you to look into these options. 

Funding Ideas

Here are practical ways you can seek assistance:

1. Reach Out to Your Community

Consider asking your church or local community if they maintain a benevolence fund or if they could conduct a special offering to support your child’s educational needs (see sample below). Community groups often want to help, but may not be aware of your needs unless you express them clearly.

2. Ask Family and Friends

There are a few different options here. You can approach this by asking for loved ones support directly or by asking them to donate to The Learning Gardens in honor of your child or your family.

a. To Support Your Child's Education/ Your Professional Growth

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close family friends are often eager to help children succeed. Write a heartfelt letter (see sample below) explaining your child's specific needs, the benefits of educational therapy or coaching, and how their contribution could make a profound difference.

b. To Support The Learning Gardens

For some, it may feel more comfortable to ask loved ones to give to the Growing Minds Fund to sponsor a certain number of sessions each month or a portion of your families sessions each month. As an added bonus, such contributions are tax-deductible and some employers will even match gifts made by their employees. Does yours? Learn more about donating to The Learning Gardens. 

You don't need to limit yourself to seeking support from relatives in person. Sometimes it is helpful to ask those in your online circles of support for support as well (see sample post below). For example, you could ask your friends to sign up to sponsor one session each month or to cover your child's materials costs.

You can also start a GoFundMe for The Learning Gardens. This tends to work best if you have a large online social support network that cares about you and your family and wants you and your family to see you succeed. If you would like to set up a GoFundMe and need any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to lily@the-learning-gardens.org 

3. Talk to Us

Contact us to discuss your situation openly. Let us know what you can afford, and together we can explore alternative funding opportunities or arrangements. Our Growing Minds Fund was created to ensure that cost never prevents a barrier to getting learners the therapy or coaching they need.

4. Trade or Barter Services

If financial contributions are challenging, consider offering skills, services, or products as barter. Perhaps you or someone in your support network can contribute valuable products or services to The Learning Gardens that can offset the costs.

5. See if You Have Access to Any of The Following Resources:

a. Medical Flex Spending Account

If you have a medical flex spending account, consider submitting your expenses for reimbursement. Ask us how we can support you in this process.

b. Education Savings Accounts

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are a unique school choice program that provides participating students with individual accounts funded by the state. Parents and families can then use these funds to pay for a wide range of approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, online courses, transportation, and certain types of educational therapy, from approved providers. ESA programs are currently in at least 18 states, including Indiana, Utah, West Virginia, and more. See the full list.

c. Employer Reimbursement

For coaching services, check if your employer might be willing to reimburse you (or The Learning Gardens directly) for professional development expenses.

d. Local Community Scholarships or Financial Aid Programs

Investigate if your local community or educational organizations offer scholarship funds specifically to support student learning experiences, tutoring, or educational therapies. For example, many faith communities have financial assistance programs. 

Additionally, local clients in Western PA may wish to explore the possibility of an interest-free loan through the Hebrew Free Loan Association.