Education Foundation for California Schools Awards $280,000 in Grants to California Educators
February 04, 2026
The Education Foundation for California Schools, a nonprofit created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education, awarded 95 grants to teachers in California to support programs that inspire students to learn and excel in core subjects, including language arts, science, mathematics, foreign language and social studies. The grants, awarded in $1,000 and $5,000 funding levels, totaled more than $280,000. The Education Foundation for California Schools awards grants to California teachers from kindergarten to community college. Grants may be used to purchase materials or equipment to support the development of new programs in core subjects.
“For more than two decades, the teacher grant program has celebrated the passion and innovation of California’s educators,” said Josh Smith, vice president, school and community relations at SchoolsFirst FCU and executive director of the Education Foundation. “These grants help educators teach in meaningful ways by bringing new educational resources into the classroom, expanding learning opportunities for their students.”
Grant recipients are teachers from 45 school districts across 12 counties throughout Northern and Southern California, including Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, Ventura and Yuba.
About the Education Foundation for California Schools:
The Education Foundation for California Schools is a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2003 by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education to provide financial assistance to teachers in California public and private schools through grants. The grants help fund educational programs that impact students throughout the state. Every year, grants are awarded to California teachers from kindergarten to community college and can be used for materials or equipment to support the development of new educational programs in core subjects. Since 2003, more than 1,000 teachers have received grants totaling more than $2.5 million. Applications are submitted in October each year and are chosen based on various factors. For more information about the Education Foundation for California Schools, visit caeducationfoundation.org.
About SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union serving school employees, and for the seventh year in a row, Forbes has named SchoolsFirst FCU the top credit union in California. Serving school employees and their families, the organization is dedicated to delivering World-Class Personal Service and improving the financial lives of its Members. In J.D. Power’s 2025 inaugural U.S. Credit Union Satisfaction Study, its Members ranked them #1 for overall satisfaction. Today they serve more than 1.5 million Members with a full range of financial products and services. SchoolsFirst FCU was founded in 1934, when 126 school employees pooled $1,200 and established a Member-owned cooperative to help improve each other's lives. The Credit Union has more than $35 billion in assets and remains the largest credit union in California and the third largest credit union in the United States. For more information about SchoolsFirst FCU, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org.
Insured by NCUA.
Contact:
Robin Wachner
Vice President, Communications & Member Engagement
media@schoolsfirstfcu.org