I’ve had success with trivial things, like write a log file parser with this pattern, or give me a basic 3 part left-right-center header in html. Works ok for trivial side projects. I would never trust it in production. Its a tool, nothing more at this point. Like an electric drill, better than a hand crank, but you still need to know how to use it.
Remember it’s not the school that won’t pony up, it’s your local and state government that aren’t giving them an appropriate budget.
Also keep in mind that most grant money comes with stipulations. I remember many years ago (late 90’s or early 00’s) we got a big grant for computers in the classroom. Good chunk of money. But it had to be spent on computers, and only computers. Would have been nice to get some furniture to put them on. We had some in the back of the classrooms next to the sink, some we put 2 desks set front to front (it was not level) It was janky, but the computers were nice.