REALTORS(R) Create Foundation to Help Teachers and Schools

The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), through its Education Services Division, and Van Education Center, LLC have joined together to provide grants to teachers, schools and non-profit educational groups in Colorado through a new foundation called Colorado REALTORS® for Education. Funds to be distributed by the foundation can be used to purchase supplies, materials, equipment and other resources used to teach students in and out of the classroom.

Colorado teachers of grades K-12 spend an average of $475 of their own money on classroom materials and supplies annually. According to Scholastic News, elementary school teachers spend more ($539) than middle ($393) and high ($427) school teachers. School districts faced with budget challenges also find it difficult to provide students with the most up-to-date textbooks, computer programs and other learning resources.

“We believe very strongly in the value of a quality education,” said Susan Plage, Chairperson of Colorado REALTORS® for Education. “Knowledge is essential to a progressive society, and it is imperative that our teachers and schools have the right tools available to help their students succeed.”

Teachers, individual schools, school districts and non-profit education groups in Colorado can apply for funds through the CAR website (www.ColoradoRealtors.com/Education). There will be two annual grant cycles (January 10-February 28 and September 10-October 31). Grant recipients will be chosen directly by the Board of Directors of Colorado REALTORS® for Education.

“Shrinking state and local education budgets, combined with the difficult federal funding standards of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, have placed added pressure on our schools,” said Kit Cowperthwaite, president of the Colorado Association of REALTORS®. “This program is one more way REALTORS® are helping their communities.”

For more information about CAR and its education programs and resources, contact Mark Gavin at 303-790-7099 or by e-mail at mgavin@ColoradoREALTORS.com.

The Colorado Association of REALTORS® is the state’s largest professional, voluntary, non-profit, real estate trade association serving more than 27,000 REALTOR® members across the state.