Teachers Are Essential
From the first practicum to their own classroom, we support the teachers who shape our communities.
Why Teachers
Teachers do far more than teach. They mentor, advocate, and often become a student’s most trusted adult. Too many pay for that work themselves: tuition, months of unpaid student teaching, and classroom supplies. Our founder’s grandfather was an educator who helped rural students reach for better opportunities, and supporting teachers is at the heart of this fund.
How we support teachers
For future teachers
Scholarships: $1,000 for students in accredited education, teaching or teacher preparation programs in Colorado and Wyoming. Preference goes to students planning to teach in rural communities. Applications are due July 30 of each year.
Practicum stipends: Up to $500 for education students completing an unpaid practicum or student-teaching placement in a Colorado or Wyoming school. Preference goes to placements in rural communities.
For current teachers
Classroom equipment and supplies: We help teachers in rural public school districts get the materials their students need, so they don’t have to pay out of pocket. Requests can total up to $500.
For schools
In-kind donations: We donate supplies directly to public schools in rural school districts. To request them, email a letter of interest to applications@helpingprofessionsef.org describing what you need, why, and what you’ve already tried. We review requests at the end of each month.
We accept supply requests and in-kind donations from district-run public schools in rural Colorado and Wyoming. Private, parochial and charter schools are not eligible.
Request classroom supplies
Who can apply
Teachers and administrators at public schools in rural Colorado or Wyoming districts. Private schools, parochial schools and charter schools are not eligible.
Teachers: classroom supplies (up to $500)
Email applications@helpingprofessionsef.org with:
Your name, school, district, and county
A list of the items you need, with links where possible, and the total cost
Why the supplies are needed. Tell us about the gap. For example:
your school or district budget doesn’t cover these items
you’ve been buying supplies with your own money
economic conditions in your community make it hard for families to provide supplies
students’ learning needs aren’t being met without them
What you’ve already tried. For example, school or district funds, PTA/PTO, grant applications, or other donation sites.
Schools: in-kind supply donations
Email a letter of interest to applications@helpingprofessionsef.org. Cover the same points: the school, district, and county; what’s needed; why; and what you’ve already tried. If you have them, you can also include objective indicators of need, such as your school’s Title I status or free and reduced-price lunch rate.
Please don’t include student names, photos, or any information that could identify an individual student, including disability, IEP, health, or family details. Describe needs at the classroom or school level.
Requests are reviewed at the end of each month. Recipients send a 30-second to 2-minute video about their teaching, their goals and the impact of the supplies.
Help us equip a classroom
You can give specifically to classroom supplies or practicum stipends for student teachers.