SCOTTSDALE, AZ (September 5, 2023) – Arizona's largest annual teacher financial support initiative will increase its impact by 25%, as the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program will donate more money than ever to Arizona teachers for use in their classrooms. Now in its eighth year, the program will provide grants to 500 teachers, for a total of $1.25 million in donations.

Applications are now open for all Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers through Friday, September 29, at 5 p.m. Teachers simply fill out the online application at www.WishesForTeachers.org, detailing the teacher's school or classroom need and how the $2,500 grant would be implemented.

"The Fiesta Bowl Organization is deeply committed to Arizona teachers and their vital role in developing our future citizens, workforce, civic, community and business leaders. We are pleased to increase our support and provide funding to 500 teachers for supplemental resources to aid their students," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "The Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers 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. It's important that we celebrate, honor and support teachers for all they give to Arizona's students."

Created in 2016, the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program grants classroom wishes to K-12 public and charter school teachers across the state of Arizona. The Fiesta Bowl Organization saw that many teachers spent their own money to enhance their classroom experience and developed a program to aid teachers in bolstering their classrooms.

In its seven years, Wishes for Teachers has granted $5.7 million to 1,600 Arizona teachers, impacting 700,000+ students across the state.

"The Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program is directly in line with one of our core principles: succeed together," said Kory Raftery, External Affairs Manager at Palo Verde. "We are excited to partner with like-minded community leaders to ensure that our kiddos get the most out of their time in the classroom and our teachers have the necessary resources to make a lifelong impact."



Over the past seven years, wishes have ranged from new computers and technology for classrooms to special education sensory and manipulative materials, vision testing and glasses for students, robotics, new libraries, classroom makeovers, laundry machines and everything in between.

Through a virtual and in-person Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP experience in early November, local community heroes and celebrities will select teachers at random and personally notify each of the 500 teachers who will receive a grant.

Fast Facts about Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers:

• 500 teachers will receive a $2,500 grant, totaling $1,250,000
• Applications open on September 5 and close at 5 p.m. on September 29 via www.WishesForTeachers.org
• $5.7 million granted over the last seven years to 1,600 teachers through Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers
• 700,000+ students at more than 500 schools across the state have been impacted through Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers over the last seven years
• In 2022, 321 schools from 95 school districts, 72 different cities/town and 71 charter schools were represented
• Open to Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers
• College Football Playoff Foundation has been a financial and supporting partner in all seven years of the program

ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.
 
ABOUT PALO VERDE
Palo Verde Generating Station is a nuclear energy facility located about 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix. The site has seven owners in four states: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California. It is operated by Arizona Public Service. Palo Verde is the largest clean electricity generator in the nation and produces enough energy to power about 4 million homes and small businesses across the southwest.