Education Connection: Education CU Foundation ‘Pocket Change’ Grant Program

The Education Credit Union Foundation announced it will award 162 grants to educators across 33 school districts and 102 campuses in the Texas Panhandle with its 2025-2026 Pocket Change Grants.

The Pocket Change Grant program was described by the ECU Foundation as an effort to empower local teachers by funding creative, hands-on classroom projects and experiences that may not otherwise be possible. The program is funded by ECU employee donations, as well as donations from individuals in the community.

Since its establishment in 2009, the ECU Foundation said the Pocket Change Grant program has distributed $1.15 million in classroom grants to teachers.

As noted on the ECU Foundation website, the grants fund projects in a spectrum of categories, including:

• Literacy
• Arts programs
• Physical necessities
• Basic school supplies
• Learning environments
• Special needs students
• Specialized equipment and supplies
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs

“Teachers are the heart of our communities, going above and beyond every day to make learning meaningful for their students,” said Marcus Smith, CEO and President of Education Credit Union and ECU Foundation Board President. “With these grants, the ECU Foundation is proud to recognize their dedication and provide added support to help bring their amazing ideas to life.”

More information about the Pocket Change Grant program can be found online here.