The Scottsdale Charros have a rich history of supporting education through programs based within the Scottsdale Unified School District as well as education and youth programs delivered through community-based nonprofits. The Charros support SUSD by investing not only dollars but their time as well, through the Charro Liaison Program. What makes our Liaison program so special?
There are 30 members – boots on the ground – dedicated to working with each of our 30 schools, bringing programs, resources and scholarships to the schools and recognizing the district’s outstanding students and educators.
We have an Education Committee which is dedicated to overseeing our education initiatives and are held accountable by our two boards of directors and our Executive Director.
We have a close relationship with SUSD so that we can understand the needs of the district and the schools.
In addition to our Liaison Program, the Scottsdale Charros and The Charro Foundation are proud to host events and fund grants and scholarships for SUSD, including some of the following:
Future Teacher Scholarships
The Future Teacher Scholarship was established by the Charro Foundation to encourage high school seniors in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) to pursue a career as a teacher. Each year, two $25,000 four-year scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in both academic and non-academic activities during their high school years. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
Scottsdale Community College Scholarships
The Scottsdale Charros have been proud supporters of Scottsdale Community College since the school’s inception in the 1960s. In the spring of 2015, the first Charro Foundation Scottsdale Community College Scholarship was created. This $5,000 two-year scholarship is awarded to an SUSD high school graduate who is attending Scottsdale Community College. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
Scottsdale Champion Scholarships
The Scottsdale Charros have a long history of supporting Scottsdale’s youth through scholarships, grants, and other education-based initiatives. The Scottsdale Champion scholarship is designed to recognize one male and one female Scottsdale resident who have demonstrated superior achievement in high school with a one-time $2,500 scholarship. Attending an SUSD public school is not a requirement to receive this scholarship. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
Grand Canyon University Scholarship
GCU has been an incredible partner to the Scottsdale Charros and to Scottsdale public schools. This scholarship honors one SUSD senior who will be attending Grand Canyon University in the fall with a one-time $2,500 scholarship. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
Public Safety Cadet Scholarships
In 2021, the Charros introduced The Charro Foundation Public Safety Cadet Scholarship, awarding two $5,000 scholarships: one Scottsdale Police Cadet Scholarship and one Scottsdale Fire Cadet Scholarship. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
National Board Certification Scholarships
In partnership with the Arizona K12 Center, The Charro Foundation is proud to support educators pursuing distinction through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) by offering $1,425 scholarships to cover the cost of the first three of the four components required for completion of the National Board Certification process. Request information here by emailing sarah@charros.com.
Education and Liaison Grants
The Charro Education and Liaison Grants are intended to provide financial assistance from $2,00 to $5,000 to SUSD schools for projects, equipment and programs related to the classroom, athletics or infrastructure that are not currently funded through traditional funding streams. Applications are due in January each year and recipients are notified in February/March with funding occurring in March/April. Grant requests must be approved by your school’s principal. Applications are limited to one per school per fiscal year.
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Project Graduation
The Scottsdale Charros support Project Graduation events in SUSD schools to help provide a safe event on graduation night free from alcohol, drugs, and late-night driving. Each year, five high schools benefit from $2,000 scholarships to help fund their events. The Charros will not fund costs for trips outside of Arizona such as Disneyland or Six Flags. This application is typically completed by the PTO. Please coordinate with your school’s principal as applications are limited to one per school per fiscal year. The deadline for this scholarship was February 29, 2024. Please check back in January 2025.
Scottsdale Charros Education Awards
April 19, 2024 at Scottsdale Stadium
The Scottsdale Charros believe that education is the cornerstone of any community and proudly celebrate Scottsdale’s best and brightest during the Scottsdale Charro Education Awards. Every January, principals from each of the schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) select their school’s outstanding Educator of the Year. Additionally, the high school principals select an Outstanding Male and Outstanding Female Student of the Year.
Youth Luncheon & Baseball Clinic
April 4, 2024 at Scottsdale Stadium
The Scottsdale Charros are dedicated to serving and supporting SUSD students, teachers and schools through a broad spectrum of educational programs, including the Youth Luncheon & Baseball Clinic. Through a partnership with the City of Scottsdale and MLBPAA (Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association), each year more than 300 deserving students, selected by their principals, arrive by the busloads at Scottsdale Stadium to join Major League Baseball greats for lunch and an afternoon of learning and fun on the field.
Please support our Education Initiatives with a donation today.