The Cotton Bowl Foundation and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation kicked off a big win for local educators this week, awarding a total of $250,000 in grants to four Dallas-area education nonprofits as part of Extra Yard for Teachers Week 2025.
Updated September 2025
BIG DAY FOR TEACHERS
On Tuesday, September 16th, the library at The Meadows Elementary in DeSoto was filled with energy, excitement, and plenty of surprises as local education leaders, teachers, and community members gathered for the Big Day for Teachers celebration!
SUPPORTING LOCAL EDUCATION
This year’s grants were awarded to four incredible local organizations making a difference in Dallas classrooms:
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Catch Up & Read – $50,000
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Educate Texas – $50,000
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United to Learn – $50,000
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City Year Dallas – $100,000 (including a special $50,000 boost from Amazon!)
Each organization was represented by an administrator and a teacher or educator who joined a panel discussion led by Brad Sham, Voice of the Dallas Cowboys and Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Board Member. The conversation celebrated their impact, highlighted challenges in education, and wrapped up with a heartwarming surprise...the educators were gifted tickets to the upcoming 2025 CFP Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31 at AT&T Stadium!
A COMMUNITY WIN
The event featured remarks from leaders across the education and sports communities, including Kelvin Walker (Cotton Bowl Athletic Association), Britton Banowsky (CFP Foundation), Dr. Usamah Rodgers (DeSoto ISD), and executives from each nonprofit. But, we think the highlight was definitely the reactions of the teachers themselves! It was so great to see their dedication recognized in front of their peers and students!
WHY IT MATTERS
Since 2016, the Cotton Bowl Foundation has contributed more than $4 million to North Texas nonprofits that expand opportunities for underserved youth. Meanwhile, the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers platform has invested over $92 million nationwide, positively impacting more than 650,000 teachers and 13 million students.
The Big Day for Teachers remains the largest single-day effort of community impact by the college football family, and this year’s celebration in Dallas proved just how meaningful that support can be for educators working in our schools!
THE COTTON BOWL FOUNDATION
The Cotton Bowl Foundation is the charitable arm of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, dedicated to giving back to North Texas communities. Since launching, the foundation has donated millions of dollars to local nonprofits that expand opportunities for underserved youth.
From funding education programs and youth development initiatives to supporting community impact events, the Cotton Bowl Foundation champions the belief that sports can be a powerful force for good. Through its efforts, it not only celebrates the tradition of college football but also creates lasting change off the field by investing in the next generation!
