On Tuesday, the Nathan Yip Foundation announced that rural Colorado school districts can apply for a new multiyear grant for up to $75,000 paid out over three years.
“For 10 years we’ve been championing rural education in Colorado, and we are proud to launch a bold new multiyear grant opportunity for rural K-12 school districts,” Nathan Yip Foundation Executive Director Stacey Vanhoy said. “This initiative is grounded in the belief that teachers are the heart of innovation and vision in rural schools. We invite districts to build their proposals by partnering with their educators who see what’s possible, while district leaders provide the structure, stewardship and sustainability needed to bring these ideas to life.”
Grant applications must be submitted by Friday, November 21.
Awarded grants will be announced February 1, 2026, with year one disbursement no later than May 1, 2026.
This new grant philosophy represents an evolution of the Nathan Yip Foundation’s funding approach and will replace the individual school, district and teacher grants the foundation has supported in the past.
Grant reviewers are seeking teacher-driven, district-supported proposals that reflect shared aspirations for student success.
Superintendents must formally submit the application with a lead teacher and a team of committed educators who will collaborate to design and carry out the work.
Districts are encouraged to empower their teams to dream big and lead the creation of strategic, student-centered plans that respond to local needs and build lasting impact across their schools and communities.
Grants should fit in to one or more of the following areas:
• Career Exploration and Work- force Pathways: Create hands-on, ca- reer-connected learning aligned with local industries, helping students see a future in their communities.
• Early Literacy: Strengthen read-
ing instruction and family engage- ment in literacy, ensuring all students build strong foundations in the early grades.
• Equitable Academic Access: Increase opportunities for rural students to participate in advanced coursework, concurrent enrollment and inclusive learning experiences.
• Family and Community Partner-
ships: Foster collaboration with families and local partners to boost student attendance, engagement and success.
• STEAM Education and Creative Expression: Expand access to inte- grated science, technology, engineer- ing, arts and mathematics learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking and student identity through hands-on, interdisciplinary exploration.
• Student Mental Health and Belonging: Expand mental health supports, social-emotional learn- ing and relationship-building practices.
“We’re seeking bold, thoughtful, and strategic proposals with a clear three-year vision for improving student outcomes,” Vanhoy added. “Proposals should respond to local challenges and outline sustainable, relationship- centered strategies that will leave a last- ing impact on students, families and communities. We expect to fund five to seven rural school district proposals in this initial grant cycle.”
A total award of up to $75,000 over three years can be granted with a disbursement of:
• Year 1: up to $30,000.
• Year 2: up to $25,000.
• Year 3: up to $20,000.
To qualify, the district must be in
a rural Colorado school district as designated by the Colorado Depart- ment of Education.
Learn more about the grant op- portunity and the Nathan Yip Foun- dation at nathanyipfoundation. org, or call or email Vanhoy at (720) 703-4427 or stacey@nathanyipfoun- dation.org.