D-backs announce 30 winning schools in $150,000 School Challenge, presented by University of Phoenix

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation announced today the 30 winning schools in the "D-backs $150,000 School Challenge," presented by University of Phoenix. With more than 800 submissions from Arizona schools, the winning grants come from all around the state of Arizona and will fund projects ranging in need from school improvements to innovative educational programs. The program, which launched last Spring, was replicated last Fall as well due to the overwhelming need in the Arizona community. In 2012, the D-backs and University of Phoenix donated $250,000 to 51 school across the state of Arizona.

"Once again the Arizona community has shown a great need for funding in our schools and we are proud to partner with University of Phoenix to make an impact on our community and education systems," said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. "We are excited to see the outcome of how the money is used to help improve the future of Arizona."

Winning schools will use the grant money to satisfy an array of needs, ranging from a tortoise habitat to a sports marketing program, a do-it-yourself workshop to a sensory integration room and a SMART board for Spanish language immersion students to a sewing machine to teach life skills and create special sock monkeys for victims of child abuse. Each winning school will be honored and receive a check on the field at a 2014 D-backs game next April and May at Chase Field. The D-backs will donate 1,000 tickets for students, parents, teachers and staff to attend the D-backs' game in which their school will be honored.

"Today's educators are faced with challenges both in the classroom and out, and providing additional educational resources helps local teachers further bridge the learning gap," said Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. "University of Phoenix is excited to work with the Diamondbacks to provide local educators access to education resources to enhance the learning experience for the community's future leaders."

Submissions from teachers and faculty came from all 15 counties in the state and 88 cities. All public, private and nonprofit charter schools, Grades K-12 were eligible and the winning schools sought to bring in funds to assist in one of four categories: educational programs, innovation and technology, nutrition and fitness and school/campus improvements. The winning schools were:

Each of the schools that did not receive a grant will be personally contacted by a D-backs representative and encouraged to reapply when the D-backs and University of Phoenix kick off the fourth round of the program next fall.

The $150,000 School Challenge is part of the organization's overall charitable efforts and earlier this year, the team and its charitable arm, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, surpassed $33 million in combined donations since their inception in 1998.