Credit Union of America (CUA) has awarded $50,100 in Teach, Grow, and Inspire the Future (TGIF) grants to 54 Kansas educators, helping fund classroom projects that will bring new learning opportunities to students across the state.

The spring 2026 grants will support educator-led projects focused on literacy, STEM, music, art, career readiness, sensory learning, and more. Each project was proposed by a Kansas educator with a specific goal to strengthen learning, increase engagement, or create meaningful classroom experiences for students.

The spring application period drew 125 proposals from educators across Kansas. Recipients were selected through an anonymous review process conducted by a panel of CUA employees and retired educators.

Since TGIF launched in 2000, CUA has awarded grants to 1,228 Kansas teachers and contributed more than $655,000 to support classroom projects, supplies, and educational experiences. The program reflects CUA’s long-standing connection to education and its continued commitment to giving back in ways that benefit Kansas students, teachers, and communities.

Local TGIF grant recipients are: Catrina McGurk, Advanced Phonics to Improve Reading, Fort Larned Elementary School; Travis Straub, Mass Production Cabinet, Great Bend High School; and Cheri Haskett, Conversation Cart - Building Positive School Culture One Interaction at a Time, Stafford High School.