If you’re an Arizona teacher who’s ever thought “man, a thousand bucks would really transform my classroom right now,” we’ve got some excellent news for you.
Desert Financial Credit Union is opening applications for its annual Adopt-A-Teacher program, and they’re handing out $1,000 grants to 100 lucky educators. That’s $100,000 going directly into Arizona classrooms—no strings attached, no corporate hoops to jump through.
The Details You Actually Need
Mark your calendar: applications open July 7 and close July 24. That’s a tight window, so don’t sleep on this one.
The money is yours to use however your students need it most. Think science kits, technology upgrades, flexible seating, robotics equipment, STEM materials—basically anything that makes learning better and more engaging. Previous winners have used their grants for all of the above and more.
“Desert Financial was founded by teachers, and that connection continues to guide how we support educators today,” says Desert Financial President & CEO Jeff Meshey. “Through Adopt-A-Teacher, we’re proud to invest in the people who are shaping the next generation and creating opportunities for students to succeed.”
Who Can Apply?
Any K-12 teacher in Arizona can throw their hat in the ring. That said, educators at Title I schools get priority consideration—a recognition that schools serving lower-income communities often need the most support.
The application itself is refreshingly straightforward. You’ll need some basic info about yourself and your school, plus a brief description of how you’d put the funds to work for your students. No novel-length essays required.
What Happens Next?
Winners will get the good news on August 18. If you’re selected, you’ll have until August 28 to officially accept the award—just enough time to start planning all the awesome things you’ll do with it before the school year kicks off.
The Track Record
This isn’t Desert Financial’s first rodeo. Over the past six years, the Adopt-A-Teacher program has put $328,700 directly into the hands of 186 Arizona educators. That’s real money making a real difference in real classrooms across the state.
So if you’re a teacher reading this, do yourself (and your students) a favor: block off some time between July 7-24 to fill out that application. Your classroom supplies budget will thank you.
Related:
Desert Financial Credit Union Taps Banking Veteran Jamie Britton as New CFO
Desert Financial Taps 29-Year Industry Veteran to Transform the Member Experience