With $95,000 available this year, the Cal Coast Cares Foundation is inviting local educators to apply for grants that bring creative STREAM-focused projects into classrooms across San Diego and Riverside counties.
Applications are open to K-12 public, private, or charter school educators, as well as community or state college and university faculty. Eligible projects must relate to one or more of the STREAM fields: Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The application period closes Oct. 10, 2025.
The non-profit foundation awards educator grants annually, ranging from $500 to $2,500 throughout both counties.
“Teachers are some of the most dedicated professionals in our communities, yet they often have to stretch limited resources to meet their students’ needs,” said Penney Newell, Cal Coast Cares Foundation manager. “Our goal is to support local educators by providing grants that empower them to bring innovative and creative projects to life in their classrooms—projects that truly inspire students. We encourage all interested educators to apply early and take advantage of this opportunity.”
San Ysidro High School teacher Carrie Northum, a 2024 grant recipient, said, “Receiving the Cal Coast Cares Foundation grant made it possible for me to offer my students the opportunity to learn principles of mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering in a fun, hands-on manner. This will enrich not only their time in the classroom but the quality of their life after.”
The Cal Coast Cares Foundation was established in 2015 by California Coast Credit Union as a non-profit organization to give back to the community through scholarships for students and grants for educators. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships and grants, according to a news release.
For details and to apply for a 2025 educator grant, visit www.calcoastcu.org/community/cal-coast-cares-foundation.
