Impact on Education awards $115,000 in grants to Boulder Valley teachers

Meritrust Credit Union and Impact on Education partnership helps mobilize resources for schools

Impact on Education awarded a total of $115,140 in grants to 83 educators across the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), with funding made possible by community donors, including a recent $100,000 gift from Meritrust Credit Union.

These Student Opportunity Fund grants provide resources that engage and support local students. The goal of the program is to invest in academic, well-being and career discovery opportunities for kids in Boulder Valley public schools.

Projects funded during the fall grant cycle cover everything from career days to tutoring sessions to athletic programs. All together, these initiatives will reach thousands of students across the district. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for Meritrust’s investment in this program,” said Allison Billings, executive director of Impact on Education. “They’ve stepped up to support our public schools at a time when funding for education is incredibly unpredictable. And the needs are growing.”

Impact on Education has long offered classroom and educator grants, but the program has evolved over the years in response to changing needs and priorities. 

For many teachers, these grants support activities that were once considered standard, but are increasingly challenging to fund — like field trips. As costs have increased and state funding for public education hasn’t kept pace, educators like Larissa Albright are turning to Impact on Education for support.

“The same program we’ve offered for 20 years, the kind of field trip you remember as a kid or have yourself chaperoned for your child, might not have happened if it wasn’t for Impact on Education,” said Albright, a third-grade teacher at Nederland Elementary School and grant recipient for the past two years. 

Albright’s class on science field trips last year

Her project funds transportation costs for her class to visit research labs and museums, working with scientists for hands-on learning experiences. Without Impact on Education’s support — which fills in funding gaps that some families can’t absorb — she’s not sure she could keep offering these opportunities to her class. 

“It wouldn’t be possible without supplemental funding,” said Albright.

Meritrust’s significant investment in educator grants this school year is helping Impact on Education maintain and expand this vital program.

“As a community-focused financial institution, we at Meritrust believe that investing in education is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to the long-term prosperity of our Boulder community. Education empowers individuals, nurtures innovation, and drives economic growth,” said Jamie Harrison, EVP/chief growth officer of Meritrust. “We are proud to support the hard work the Boulder Valley educators and Impact on Education do to ensure every student has the chance to achieve their full potential.” 

Meritrust — formerly Premier Members Credit Union — has a long-standing partnership with Impact on Education, supporting a variety of initiatives ranging from college and career readiness to school supply distribution programs for students in financial need. This recent investment is an evolution of their longtime support of the nonprofit.

“Meritrust’s support means we can keep showing up for teachers and students when they need us, and dream bigger,” said Billings.

Applications for the spring grant cycle will open at the end of the year, and awardees will be announced in February 2026.