SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (September 1, 2026) – The Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers program – Arizona's largest direct financial support initiative for educators – returns for its 11^th year, set to deliver a record total of $1.75 million in funding to directly benefit classrooms and schools across the state.

This year's increased program donations will support Arizona teachers with $2,500 grants to bring a classroom wish to life. Past program wishes have included robotics kits, musical instruments, adaptive learning tools, classroom libraries, athletic gear and a variety of other resources to enhance learning opportunities for students.

Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers are invited to complete a brief online application detailing their $2,500 classroom wish. Applications are open through Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10 p.m. MST. Applications may be found at www.WishesForTeachers.org.

"One of the reasons Wishes for Teachers is so unique is that we actively listen to educators about what makes the biggest difference in their classrooms and schools, and teachers can customize their wishes to help address those needs," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "This year, alongside our signature $2,500 Teacher Wishes, we're proud to increase our investment in School Wishes, which create an impact felt by entire school communities for years and even decades. It's a natural progression in our commitment to honor, support and celebrate Arizona educators in the most meaningful ways possible."

Since launching in 2016, Wishes for Teachers has awarded more than $9.7 million to over 3,100 educators statewide, positively impacting more than one million students. In 2025 alone, the program supported educators in 119 cities and towns and 142 school districts, reaching more than 276,000 students.

The record total giving in 2026-27 is bolstered by the return of School Wishes for the second year, through which six Arizona schools will receive funding for wishes that impact entire campuses. Five schools will receive a $50,000 wish, and one school will receive $250,000.

Corporate and community support has grown over the life of Wishes for Teachers, with financial contributions from Amazon, College Football Playoff Foundation, The John Dawson Foundation and more allowing Fiesta Sports Foundation to increase its funding and expand the School Wishes element of the program. For organizations and companies that wish to become partners in Wishes for Teachers, please contact Kristina Chumpol at kchumpol@fiestasports.org.

The educational support provided by Fiesta Sports Foundation's Wishes for Teachers program is a cornerstone of the Foundation's mission to deliver charitable resources that benefit Arizona communities through youth, sports and education. The program was created in response to the Foundation recognizing that many local teachers often pay out-of-pocket to improve their classrooms and enrich learning for their students.

Teacher recipients will be chosen at random and notified as part of Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP on Wednesday, November 18. School Wishes will be announced on Draft Day as well. All grant recipients become part of the Fiesta Sports Foundation family and are invited to participate in community events throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.WishesForTeachers.org.
 

ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been 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 to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Cactus Bowl and its year-round events, including the Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.