Houston-Based Fund for Teachers and the College Football Playoff Foundation Partner to Empower Teachers

Nonprofit organizations enter partnership to recognize, celebrate, and invest in educators ahead of 2024 CFP National Championship in Houston

As the college football world sets its eyes on Houston for the culmination of the 2023-2024 season, Houston-based nonprofit Fund for Teachers and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation are celebrating a new partnership to increase investment in classroom heroes—both locally and around the nation.

The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship will be played in Houston on Monday, January 8, providing a unique opportunity for Fund for Teachers (FFT) and the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) initiative to advance their missions of empowering teachers.

“We’re thrilled to be working with EYFT and other local partners to further recognition and investment in teachers across the country,” said FFT Executive Director Karen Eckhoff. “The CFP Foundation is the largest sports entity dedicated to supporting educators, and we couldn’t be more excited to work together on creating real value that continues beyond January’s national championship game here in Houston.”

The partnership between Fund for Teachers and the College Football Playoff Foundation seeks to advance their shared commitments to educators. FFT invests in teachers through grants for professional learning, fellowships, collaborative learning circles and leadership opportunities. The CFP Foundation and its EYFT initiative is similarly dedicated to empowering teachers through its pillars of recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.

“The College Football Playoff Foundation is honored to partner with Fund for Teachers to support Houston’s educators,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “The needs of students are constantly changing, and teachers need access to relevant, innovative professional development to help their students succeed.”

That alignment serves as the basis of the partnership, with the CFP Foundation committing to donate $100,000 to Fund for Teachers professional development programs, Innovation Circles and fellowships. That donation will be matched by FFT, along with further commitment to raise funds for educators and awarding grants to teachers based on select criteria.

In turn, FFT is supporting CFP Foundation activities in Houston in the months leading up to January’s College Football Playoff National Championship—such as this summer’s Houston Loves Teachers Launch Party and September’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week.

“The 2024 Houston Host Committee is excited and thankful for the work the College Football Playoff Foundation and Fund for Teachers are doing for the benefit of Houston area educators,” said Host Committee President and Harris County – Houston Vice President Chris Massey. “These professional development grants will make a significant impact as local teachers look to grow and bring out the best in each of their students. We are proud to be working with FFT and the CFP Foundation to further our efforts in leaving a legacy in our community.”

Applications for FFT’s Innovation Circle grants and Fellowship grants open in September and October respectively.

About Fund for Teachers:

Fund for Teachers (FFT)is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to investing in the professional development of pre-K to 12th-grade educators across the country. FFT has provided $36 million in grants to more than 9,500 public, private, and charter school teachers for self-designed summer fellowships and experiential learning opportunities. Visit www.fundforteachers.org for more info.

About the College Football Playoff Foundation:

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.

Photos courtesy of CFP Foundation