(November 4th, 2025 – Naples, FL) The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning surprised educators across the county in-person today by announcing awarded Classroom Grants. For the 2025-2026 school year to date, Champions For Learning has awarded 205 individual educators with 293 Classroom Grants totaling $200,000.
Champions For Learning’s Classroom Grants Program is a competitive grant process that provides an opportunity for educators in Collier County to apply for and receive funding for their classroom or school projects that fall outside of the regular school budget. Eligible projects range from basic classroom needs to innovative projects like starting a classroom-based enterprise to teach independence or providing supplies to create a Dyslexia-friendly classroom library to support literacy among all students.
Florida is ranked first among 38 states facing teacher shortages, and 90% of annual vacancies across the U.S. are from teachers leaving the profession. The Classroom Grants Program is a key pillar of Champions For Learning’s Educator Programs, designed to offer resources, gratitude, and a shared sense of community for our educators to remain rooted in Collier County classrooms and schools.
“Each funded Classroom Grant empowers a Collier County educator to bring meaningful learning experiences to their students,” said Dr. Eric Williams, President and CEO of The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our community, whose support allows us to invest in educators and ultimately in the success of every student they inspire.”
While Champions For Learning aims to fund as many grants as possible, the number of grant requests submitted far exceeds the amount of funding available, leaving many grants unfunded. Without community support, many carefully planned projects that inspire deeper learning, creativity, and teamwork in the classroom will not be implemented.
Unfunded grants and additional requests submitted by educators will remain open on the online Classroom Grants Portal until March. Members of our community can utilize the online Classroom Grants Portal to view unfunded grant requests and select specific requests to fund at www.finditfunditflorida.com/collier/
About Champions For Learning™
Founded in 1990, the Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. Our Student Programs are designed to equip and prepare students for their future learning and career goals, and our Educator Programs are designed to value, empower, and support our educators to experience professional success. Recognized as the education foundation serving Collier County by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Champions For Learning serves as a unifying force within the community by driving collective action towards the common goal of student and educator success.
Champions For Learning is a volunteer driven organization. Nearly 450 individuals volunteered with us last year, dedicating over 6,700 hours to our organization. Our dedicated volunteers and committed administrative team reflect our mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success. For more information about Champions For Learning or to see more of our work, visit our website www.championsforlearning.org.
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