The United Us Initiative
Putting Unity back in Community
Support the heroes who build up the community
Teachers spend money from their paycheck on classroom supplies.
We launch the Classroom Impact Project!
Learn More
“Not only are teachers expected to fill in those gaps where students can’t get their own school supplies − so we’re buying pencils and notebooks and pens − we’re also constantly replacing these items, you know, because things get lost or things get broken,” said Adriana Ocañas, consumer credit cards analyst at U.S. News & World Report. Ocañas spent three years as a teacher before switching careers. -USATODAY Aug 30, 2025 post
Did You Know?
•Teachers spend an average of $895 out-of-pocket per year on classroom supplies.
​
•Out-of-pocket spending has increased 49% since 2015.
​
•Starting salaries have risen, but inflation has erased gains.​​
1. Better resources = better learning environments.
When classrooms are equipped: Students stay engaged longer, learning becomes more interactive.
​
2. Access to materials directly impacts student performance
​
3. Equity: It helps close the gap for low-income students. (Teachers in low-income schools spend more out-of-pocket)
How Does This Project Help?
Who We're Helping & Why
This year United US Initiative will be focusing on Harrison District-2 & Colorado Springs District-11.
Our goal is to direct resources where they can make the greatest impact. Because Colorado Springs School District 11 and Harrison School District 2 serve a large number of Title I schools, teachers in these districts will receive priority consideration for our classroom mini-grants.
*Title I schools receive federal funding to support students from low-income families by providing additional educational resources and services. After all eligible applicants from these priority districts have been funded, any remaining grant funds will be awarded to teachers from other districts throughout the community.
How Are Teachers selected?
Application Questions
As part of the mini-grant application, teachers will be asked to answer the following three questions. These responses help us understand the impact educators make every day and the realities they face in today’s classrooms.
-
What is something you consistently do for your students that most people never see? (We want to hear about the unseen work that supports student success, from preparation and mentoring to emotional support and problem-solving.)
-
What is one challenge your students face that most people outside your classroom don’t realize? (This helps us better understand the obstacles students are navigating and how those challenges affect learning.)
-
What is something you wish the community understood about what it takes to be a teacher today? (We invite teachers to share the realities of the profession and what they believe the broader community should know about supporting educators and students.) **Our Purpose: These questions are not intended to judge or rank teachers. They are designed to give educators a voice and to help us direct resources with empathy, understanding, and transparency.
