Deadline to apply for $150,000 School Challenge is one week from today

The Arizona Diamondbacks are still accepting applications for the $150,000 School Challenge, presented by University of Phoenix, to benefit schools across the state of Arizona, with a deadline to apply set for one week from today, on Sept. 30. The program is open to all Arizona public, private, and nonprofit charter schools, Grades K-12, and teachers and administrators are encouraged to "make their best pitch" on why they deserve to receive this important funding by submitting an application online at www.dbacks.com/schoolchallenge.

 The D-backs kicked off the program last spring with the $100,000 School Challenge and received an overwhelming response that inspired the team to also host a $150,000 Back-To-School Challenge last fall. With more than 1,300 applications last year, the D-backs were able to grant $5,000 to 50 schools for a grand total of $250,000 in 2012. The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation provided $150,000 for the program and the University of Phoenix provided $100,000. The $5,000 grants helped schools from across the state with needs such as educational supplies, books, updated computer programs, mobile computer labs and school improvements.

The School Challenge is part of the D-backs' overall charitable efforts and last season, the team and its charitable arm, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, surpassed $30 million in combined donations since their inception in 1998, including more than $4 million in 2012.