Million Dollar Teacher Project is Latest Recipient of Foundation Grant

Last Updated on September 18, 2024 by Luke Feldbrugge

As part of their Circle of Giving, the Homes for Heroes Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Million Dollar Teacher Project operating in Arizona.

The Million Dollar Teacher Project was founded five years ago by Executive Director Lloyd Hopkins. Hopkins has spent 18 years in education, from working with youth offenders, after school recreation programs, and drop out prevention. 

He says the most impactful of his career though, was when he spent six years as a teacher’s assistant. It was there that Hopkins saw first hand the challenges that teachers face.

He noticed teachers were overworked, underpaid, under appreciated, and under-resourced. It was there that Hopkins came to a realization.

“It’s a community responsibility to support teachers. It’s the one universal profession that we’re all impacted by. Where would we be without teachers?” From that, Million Dollar Teacher Project was born. Million Dollar Teacher Project works with Title I Schools in Arizona, serving lower-income communities, to create community-centered programming to help increase how teachers are recognized, drive more support directly to the classroom, and drive innovative ways to increase compensation for teachers. 

“In a nutshell, we support students by supporting teachers.” Hopkins says of the program.

In Teachers We Trust

The mission of the Million Dollar Teacher Project is to elevate the teaching profession to increase support, compensation, and recognition for teachers. This grant is the next step to do exactly that. 

The Million Dollar Teacher Project will use these funds to create an endowment called the In Teachers We Trust fund. Teachers will be able to use these funds in key areas:

• Scholarships for teachers looking to continue their education. This includes certificates, ongoing training, and achieving advanced degrees
• Teachers in need of personal emergency assistance due to financial hardship
• Offer field trip grants for individual students for academic experiences
• Fulfil basic needs for their students, as identified by teachers

Understanding the Mission

As the Homes for Heroes Foundation’s focus is on helping heroes like teachers, this couldn’t be a better partnership for either program.

“I’ve been running this organization for 5 years and often it has been a challenge to find funders that really understand why it’s important to also take care of teachers.” Hopkins said of the partnership. 

“Out of five years [operating], Homes for Heroes Foundation was the first Foundation that really aligned with us in that way, so this has been just amazing and really energizing for us to really keep working and pushing forward.”

While Million Dollar Teacher Project currently operates in Arizona only, with this endowment and new surge of energy as the school year begins, Hopkins hopes to spread the organization’s reach further.

“Our intention is to be a national organization and at some point even an international organization. We want to support the teacher wherever the teacher is at. I’m hoping we can continue to grow this fund with the Homes for Heroes Foundation.” Hopkins said.

Circle of Giving

Grants like this are possible because of the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving. When heroes buy, sell, or refinance a home with a Homes for Heroes real estate or loan specialist, a portion of their transaction goes to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. The Homes for Heroes Foundation then gives grants to hero-centric non-profits across the country. 

If you’re a hero looking to buy, sell, or refinance your home, let Homes for Heroes experienced agents and lenders help you. We not only give you great service, but reward you on your purchase with Hero Rewards. Plus, we’ll give back to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. Sign up now for more information and to get connected to an agent near you.