Fiesta Bowl program to give $1.25M in grants to Arizona teachers. Here's how to apply

Arizona's public and charter school K-12 teachers are now eligible to apply for a $2,500 grant from the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers program.

The program, created in 2016 to "aid teachers in bolstering their classrooms," will accept applications until 5 p.m. on Sept. 29. The 15-minute online application allows teachers to share details about their classroom and then grant a "wish" — a set of materials that could improve the classroom experience but are too expensive to attain without financial support.

The program "means so much to teachers, who often spend money out of their own pockets to enhance their classrooms and to best serve their students," said Erik Moses, Fiesta Bowl executive director and CEO, in a prepared statement. "It's important that we celebrate, honor and support teachers for all they give to Arizona's students."

Wishes granted by the program have included books, computers, laundry machines, robotics, classroom makeovers, upgraded libraries, sensory and manipulative materials for special education, and more.

Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, 500 Arizona teachers will be selected at random to receive a grant. The wish recipients will also be invited to walk in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade on Dec. 16 and receive recognition on the field at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26.

This year's awards will add up to a total of $1.25 million, the most money ever donated by the program. The Fiesta Bowl said its program granted $5.7 million during the past seven years — funding provided to 1,600 teachers that has touched over 700,000 Arizona students.

Last year, Wishes for Teachers money made its mark on 321 schools in 95 school districts, in addition to 71 charter schools.