The Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers program — Arizona’s largest direct support initiative for teachers — is in its 10th year with a record total of $1.5 million available in funding to directly benefit classrooms across the state.

Increased program funding will support a record 540 Arizona teachers, each receiving a $2,500 grant to bring a classroom wish to life.

Arizona K–12 public and charter school teachers are invited to complete a brief online application detailing their $2,500 classroom wish. Applications close at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Apply at www.WishesForTeachers.org.

The program has supported 95 Glendale teachers since its launch in 2016.

Past wishes from Glendale teachers included technology that supports nonverbal students, whiteboard tables, flexible seating, sensory items for their students with intellectual disabilities, books for a lending library, headphones for the students, new sports and fitness equipment for a physical education class, iPads and more resources to enhance the learning experience.

“The increased funding is part of our unwavering commitment to turn wishes into reality and empower teachers, enrich classrooms and foster brighter futures for students.” Fiesta Sports Foundation Chief Impact Officer Kristina Chumpol stated in a press release.

Since launching in 2016, Wishes for Teachers has awarded more than $8.2 million to more than 2,600 educators. In 2024, the program supported educators in 84 cities, 108 school districts and 79 charter schools, reaching more than 230,000 students.

Wishes for Teachers was created in response to the foundation recognizing that many teachers often pay out-of-pocket to help enrich learning for students.

Recipients will be chosen at random and notified as part of Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP on Nov. 18.