The Nathan Yip Foundation announced recently that rural Colorado teachers can submit a letter of inquiry by February 14 for consideration of a grant that can be used in the 2025-2026 school year.
“The Nathan Yip Foundation’s mission is to empower Colorado students, staff and schools in an effort to address the educational and opportunity inequities that can exist between rural and urban schools in the state,” Executive Director Jill Shenkel Henwood said. “Schools and teachers are encouraged to look at these grants as a chance to provide opportunities and experiences for students that might not otherwise be possible, either in the classroom or in school-related extracurricular activities.”
Schools and districts are encouraged to apply for school and/or district-wide projects, equipment and materials that might not be possible within the budget. Past recipients have used this as an opportunity to replace old microscopes or shop tools, obtain robots and other electronics to build a STEM lab, purchase/replace instruments and much more. Priority will be given to requests that fund projects that will have a lasting impact and can be used for many years. Funds must be used for anything that will positively impact the students/school/community and help to reduce the educational opportunity gap between rural and urban school districts.
A one-page letter of inquiry should be submitted now via email to christine@nathanyipfoundation.org. The letter should include information about the demographics of the school/district, a brief description of the proposed grant request and the approximate amount of money that will be requested.
If the teacher’s grant is approved for further consideration, the 2025 grant application will be emailed to the contact provided on the letter by March 3. The final grant application will be due on April 17, and award notifications for the 2025-26 school year will go out in late May/early June with funds dispersed before the start of the new school year.
To qualify, the school/district must be in a rural Colorado School district as designated by the Colorado Department of Education. Requests must be submitted by a school district or staff member.
Collaborations are encouraged; however, a school or school district must submit the letter and subsequent application. Priority will be given to schools/districts and programs serving lower-income communities and grants requests for K-12 programs/projects that will directly impact students.
The Nathan Yip Foundation does not fund the purchase, lease or renovation of real property; salaries; student scholarships and tuition support; non-rural organizations/schools/entities (i.e. third party private or nonprofit service/program providers); special events or fundraisers; legislative action, endowments or loan requests.
In 2024, the Nathan Yip Foundation funded 79 teachers in 52 rural Colorado school districts.
Learn more about the grant opportunity and the Nathan Yip Foundation at www.nathanyipfoundation.org.
For additional information, please contact christine@nathanyipfoundation.org.