Our Purpose

The Education Foundation of Yuma County is a private, non-profit organization established to support and recognize the profession of teaching and raise public awareness of the importance and value of education.

Resources are directed to projects that are consistent with this purpose and that enhance public support of education. The Foundation is composed totally of volunteers from business and education sectors.

Who We Are & Our Goals

Each year the Education Foundation of Yuma County identifies and celebrates teachers of excellence in Yuma County through the Teacher of the Year program. We also continuously raise funds through our endowment efforts to support creative initiatives for students and teachers that supplement normal operations of Yuma County's schools.

The 2025-26 Mini-grant application cycle is complete, and over $12,000 in grant funding was provided to 14 educators in Yuma County. Click on our MINI-GRANT tab above for more information.

The Legacy Gala fundraising dinner occurred on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Yuma. A new addition to this event was the induction of honorees into the Education Foundation of Yuma County's Hall of Fame. We hope you can join us in January 2027 at our next Legacy Gala.

Upcoming Events

The 39th annual Teacher of the Year Banquet was held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center.

It was a joyous celebration of education and educators in Yuma County with over 700 in attendance.  

Hall of Fame inductee, Jason Maas, winner of the Estelle Dingess Award for the individual educated in Yuma County schools who has made an impact outside Yuma County, gave a wonderful speech in tribute to the schools and teachers he had in Yuma District #1, Crane District, and the Yuma Union High School District.  Jason is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. 

The other highlights of the evening were the announcement of the following individual category winners for Teacher of the Year -- and the overall Yuma County Teacher of the Year:

Primary Category:  Claudia Alvarez

Intermediate/Special Area: Teresa Teeter

Jr. High/Middle School: Jonathan Bailey

High School: Gregory Brown

Yuma County Teacher of the Year:

          HANNAH MARTINEZ

Congratulations to all the honorees!