Shield Our Schools Foundation pledges $50,000 for Colorado school safety grants

Shield Our Schools Foundation said it will commit at least $50,000 to 2027 grants for Colorado K-12 schools, with applications opening Jan. 15 and again Aug. 1. The funding is aimed at helping public, private and charter schools pay for campus-specific security upgrades.

Why it matters: - The funding gives Colorado schools another source of money for security upgrades that often compete with classroom needs. - The foundation has already awarded more than $41,500 to Colorado schools since launching in 2023. - Shield Grants have typically ranged from $2,500 to $10,000, which can cover smaller safety projects that schools might not otherwise fund.

What happened: - Shield Our Schools Foundation announced a commitment of at least $50,000 in grants for Colorado K-12 school safety needs in 2027. - The announcement followed America’s Safe Schools Week, held Oct. 18-24. - The Colorado nonprofit will support public, private and charter schools. - Applications for 2027 Shield Grants open Jan. 15, with a second round opening Aug. 1. - The foundation said it works with schools to assess safety needs and help them choose solutions for their campuses.

The details: - The foundation has 54 schools across the country on its applicant list. - Grant awards are designed to help schools identify and implement safety solutions tailored to each campus. - Board members bring backgrounds in school safety and law enforcement. - In 2026, four Colorado schools received Shield Grants, with more awards still to be announced before year-end. - D’Evelyn Jr.-R. High School used a $10,000 grant to replace about half of the security cameras the school needed to update. - Principal Josh Shapiro said the grant helped spur additional fundraising from parents and a school subcommittee to cover the rest of the camera replacement cost.

Between the lines: - The grant program emphasizes school-by-school flexibility instead of a one-size-fits-all security package. - The foundation’s model appears designed to stretch limited dollars by pairing grants with local fundraising and school-led planning. - The timing of the announcement keeps attention on school safety just after a national awareness week and ahead of the 2027 application windows.

What’s next: - Colorado schools can apply during two 2027 cycles. - Spring 2027 applications run Jan. 15 through March 31, with reviews and site visits from April 1 through July 31 and awards in August and September. - Fall 2027 applications run Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, with reviews and site visits from Oct. 1 through Nov. 15 and awards in January 2028. - Schools seeking eligibility details can visit more information.

The bottom line: - Shield Our Schools Foundation is expanding its Colorado grant program as schools continue looking for flexible ways to pay for safety improvements without pulling from academic budgets.