$1.56 Million Invested in 337 PreK–12 Educators Nationwide
Teachers to pursue self-designed global fellowships addressing student learning gaps
HOUSTON, TX – Fund for Teachers, a national leader in supporting PreK–12 educators, today announced its 2026 grant recipients—awarding $1.56 million to 337 teachers across the United States. This summer, these educators will embark on self-designed fellowships spanning 82 countries and 6 continents, transforming bold ideas into immersive, real-world learning experiences that directly impact student success.
Working in partnership with national and local philanthropists, Fund for Teachers has invested $40.5million in 10,562 teachers across public, private, and charter schools nationwide—fueling innovative teaching and strengthening classrooms in every corner of the country.
What sets Fund for Teachers apart is its unwavering trust in educators. Unlike traditional grants tied to specific subjects or destinations, Fund for Teachers empowers teachers to identify their students’ most pressing needs and design customized professional learning experiences to meet them. The result: transformative fellowships that translate directly into more relevant, engaging, and impactful classroom instruction.
FFT Fellows consistently return to their schools energized, inspired, and equipped with fresh strategies to close learning gaps and expand opportunities for their students—strengthening not only their classrooms, but entire school communities.
“Fund for Teachers recognizes educators as both leaders and lifelong learners—and both roles demand continuous growth,” said Karen Eckhoff, executive director. “By investing in teachers, we ignite a ripple effect that profoundly benefits the students and communities they serve.”
For more information about Fund for Teachers’ grant opportunities and their impact, visit fundforteachers.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
View the full list of Fellows, here.
For more information about Fund for Teachers’ grant opportunities and their impact on educators, students, and school communities, visit fundforteachers.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
FUND FOR TEACHERS WELCOMES SHITAL C. SHAH TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 23, 2025 (Houston) – Fund for Teachers (FFT) – one of the nation’s largest investors in PreK–12 educators – is proud to announce the appointment of Shital C. Shah to its board of directors. With a distinguished career dedicated to advancing public education and fostering strategic partnerships, Shah brings a wealth of experience and insight that will further FFT’s mission to empower educators through self-designed summer fellowships.
“I was drawn to FFT because of its mission to support educators’ professional learning and growth, which directly impacts the academic growth of their students,” said Shah. “Upon meeting several FFT Fellows [grant recipients], the gratitude and joy catalyzed by their fellowships solidified for me the vital role this organization plays in educators’ personal and professional lives. Now it is my joy to support and help facilitate these opportunities for more teachers across the country.”
Shah recently moved into the role of Senior Advisor to the CEO, Special Initiatives for United Way Worldwide (UWW). Previously, she served the United States Department of Education as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education & Director of Strategic Partnerships, supporting the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona on overall partnership strategy, cutting across k12, higher education and workforce issues. Landmark programs Shah helped get off the ground include the Engage Every Student Initiative, focused on increasing the number of high quality out of school programs leveraging American Rescue Plan funding; the National Partnership for Student Success – focused on increasing the number of mentors and tutors in public schools; and a public service campaign that elevated the teaching profession, and the private sector commitments focused on addressing the teacher workforce shortage.
Additional relevant experience includes a decade spent as Director of Philanthropic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at the American Federation of Teachers, and serving as trustee for the Education Law Center. Shah holds an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy focused on social policy (when she also participated in the Peace Corps Fellows Program) and a B.S. in Environmental Studies and B.A. in Religion from George Washington University.
“Throughout her career Shital has played many roles from advocacy to activist – all in support of education and teaching,” said Karen Eckhoff, Fund for Teachers Executive Director. “As Fund for Teachers steps into our 25th year, I am extremely pleased to welcome Shital to our Board of Directors.”
Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested more than $37 million in nearly 10,000 educators nationwide – turning grants into transformative learning experiences that benefit both teachers and their students. In summer 2025 alone, 354 teachers received a combined $1.625 million in funding to pursue fellowships across 79 countries and six continents, exploring innovative ideas, diverse cultures, and fresh approaches to teaching and learning.
Access the complete list of 2025 Fund for Teachers Fellows here.
Fund for Teachers’ new grant cycle opens October 1; teachers may apply at fft.fundforteachers.org. To learn more about Fund for Teachers’ grant opportunities and the lasting impact of its educator fellowships, visit fundforteachers.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Carrie Caton Smith, carrie@fundforteachers.org
$1.625 Million to Empower Educators with Global Learning Opportunities
357 prek-12 teachers will embark on unique learning expeditions in 79 countries
HOUSTON, TX – Fund for Teachers, one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting preK-12 educators, is proud to announce its 2025 grant recipients. This summer, 357 teachers will leverage $1.625 million into experiential learning in 79 countries on 6 continents.
These educators comprise Fund for Teachers’ 25th cohort of FFT Fellows. Since 2001,Fund for Teachers has invested $39 million in 10,225 public, private and charter school teachers from across the United States.
Fund for Teachers annually invites teachers to propose solutions that address learning gaps for themselves and their students. Teachers are trusted with the freedom to determine what and where they want to learn and, after a thorough review process, individual teachers are awarded up to $5,000 and teams of two or more up to $10,000 to pursue customized professional development during the summer.
“Teachers are at the heart of shaping not only students’ academic trajectories, but often also their social and emotional well-being,” said Karen Eckhoff, Executive Director. “Fund for Teachers believes this high calling merits validation and support, which we provide by funding fellowships that ultimately inspire teachers’ enthusiasm for student engagement and extend their longevity in the profession.”
View the full list of Fellows, here.
For more information about Fund for Teachers’ grant opportunities and their impact on educators, students, and school communities, visit fundforteachers.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Prek-12 Teachers Can Apply for up to $10,000 for Self-Designed Fellowships
HOUSTON – Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 teachers, today opens its 2025 grant cycle, inviting teachers with a minimum of three years classroom experience to design fellowships (anything/anywhere) that enrich their careers, support student success, and strengthen schools and communities.
The application is available at fundforteachers.org and is due by January 23, 2025.
Recipients will be notified in April.
Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has awarded more than $36 million to 10,000 teachers who pursue knowledge and skills in the United States and around the world (170 countries, to date).
“Teachers introduce skills, facilitate dialogues, and prepare students as informed citizens,” said Karen Eckhoff, Fund for Teachers’ executive director. “Funding their professional and personal development is a vital way to keep teachers in the classrooms and make classrooms engaging spaces for students.”
Last summer 365 teachers, or FFT Fellows, pursued unique, experiential fellowships using $1.6 million in grants. From this cohort, 67% teach at Title I schools where more than half of their students receive free or reduced lunch — an education-sector identifier of underserved student populations. Fund for Teachers also invests in teachers by awarding Innovation Circle Grants that fuel Fellows’ independent research during the summer, followed by virtual collaboration with other Fellows throughout the fall and classroom implementation in the spring.
Visit Fund for Teachers’ website, Facebook, or Instagram sites for more information about the grant opportunity and listen to teachers share the impact of their grants on the non-profit’s podcast.