D-backs announce winners of $100,000 School Challenge fundraiser
Jan 6, 2021, 8:23 PM
The grounds crew waters the Chase Field after the Colorado Rockies decided not to play their baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ charitable foundation and their partner, University of Phoenix, announced on Wednesday the winners of the annual D-backs $100,000 School Challenge.
The program, which has taken place since 2012, provides grants for specific needs at local schools.
Schools can apply for the grants for any number of reasons: to help upgrade technology, to provide for unique classes or to help students pay for projects. The Diamondbacks raised money to assist in four categories: educational programs, innovation and technology, nutrition and fitness, and campus improvements.
“The School Challenge is a longstanding part of our partnership with the D-backs,” said University of Phoenix provost and chief academic officer John Woods. “Together we get to support teachers and schools who apply for grants to do innovative things that improve education across the entire state of Arizona. I’m always amazed by the great ideas put forth by Arizona’s teachers and proud to partner with the D-backs in support of those efforts.”
Public, private and nonprofit charter schools who teach kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible.
| School | Program Name/Purpose | Location | Category |
| Case Grande Middle School | CGMS Devices for Digital Learning | Case Grande | Innovation/Technology |
| Chaparral Elementary School | Leveled Readers to Engage Young Readers | Phoenix | Educational Programs |
| Choice Learning Academy | Imaginerium – Makers Gonna Make! | Phoenix | Educational Programs |
| Cottonwood Community School K-8 | Farm to Fork Community Garden | Cottonwood | Nutrition/Fitness |
| Cottonwood Community School K-8 | Comprehensive Music Program | Cottonwood | Educational Programs |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Laptops for Automotive Technology Program | Mesa | Innovation/Technology |
| Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center | Outdoor Learning Improvements | Phoenix | Campus Improvements |
| Flora Thew Elementary School | Movement and Exercise for Special Ed students | Tempe | Nutrition/Fitness |
| Fort Mojave Elementary School | Device Drive | Fort Mohave | Innovation/Technology |
| Freedom Elementary School | School Library | Buckeye | Educational Programs |
| Gila Ridge High School | Sports Content Creators in the Making | Yuma | Innovation/Technology |
| Phoenix Day School for the Deaf | Life Skills | Phoenix | Educational Programs |
| Pima JTED | Construction Class (Star Improvement) | Tucson | Campus Improvements |
| Sanders Middle School | Science Department | Sanders | Educational Programs |
| T.G. Barr Elementary School | Technology & Music in Harmony | Phoenix | Innovation/Technology |
| Toltecalli High School | Community Garden | Tucson | Campus Improvements |
| V.H. Lassen Elementary School | Community Pantry | Phoenix | Nutrition/Fitness |
| W.F. Killip Elementary School | Cooking Club | Flagstaff | Nutrition/Fitness |
| Walker Butte K-8 | Outdoor Ecosystems & Biological Phenomenon | San Tan Valley | Campus Improvements |
| Wilson Elementary School | Community Coding | Phoenix | Innovation/Technology |
