Significant Number of Classroom Grant Requests for Collier Educators in Need of Funding

Champions For Learning’s Classroom Grants portal is open and seeing a significant number of requests from Collier County educators. More than 250 grant requests totaling over $150,000 have been submitted so far for the 2024-2025 school year that only just began. Members of the community have the opportunity to fund these projects and provide educators with much needed instructional supplies, classroom items, and enrichment activities to further enhance their students’ learning experience.

Without the generosity of our community, our educators may have to pay for these necessary resources out of their own pockets or may not be able to provide them to their students at all.

According to the National Education Association, more than 90% of teachers spend between $500 and $750 of their own money on school supplies and other items their students need to succeed. Over the past two years, the price of school supplies has increased nearly 24% due to inflation, and many districts are unable to supply everything that students need to be engaged and make instruction accessible for all types of learners.

“As The Education Foundation of Collier County, Champions For Learning is committed to supporting and empowering our educators to achieve professional success,” said Barbara Evans, President and CEO of Champions For Learning. “Our Classroom Grants program provides educators with access to critical funding that enables them to implement innovative classroom projects, enhance the learning experience, and increase student engagement with the curriculum. Champions For Learning’s Classroom Grants are available to all Florida Department of Education approved schools in Collier County, including traditional public, charter, and private schools. All funded grants are awarded on Surprise Delivery Day in early October. Distributing the funds in the fall gives educators the opportunity to implement their new projects as soon as possible for the school year.

Unfunded grants and new requests stay open on the grant request platform until March. All funded projects must be completed in the school year of the award, and all recipients must complete an outcome report by May.

This year, the community is needed more than ever to help serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators by funding Classroom Grants. Visit Championsforlearning.org/classroomgrants/ to make a gift to Champions For Learning’s Classroom Grants fund.