Colorado Beef Grant Application

“Beef for the Classroom” is a program funded by beef producers through their beef checkoff administered by the Colorado Beef Council. Started in 2001, this program provides financial support for the use of beef products in senior high school Family and Consumer Science and Catering/ProStart courses. It reinforces lessons about lean beef selection, storage, preparation and nutrition. The Colorado Beef Council offers free educational materials to all Colorado teachers to support classrooms. All Family & Consumer Science programs in Colorado high schools are eligible for the program.

Applications are closed for the 2025/26 school year.

The Colorado Beef Grant application period is from August 1st to September 15th each year. Please check back next year!

Grant Eligibility

The variety of classes being taught is amazing! In trying to meet the needs of as many schools as possible, we changed the way the beef grant money is allocated. It is now based on number of classes taught by age group/type of class.

  • Catering/ProStart - $100 per class
  • High School Class - $75 per class

How is a class defined?

Gordon Ramsey and his friends all go to your school. Gordon enrolls in your class. He should receive the benefit of the Beef Grant during his class. (This is really the premise behind how the money is going to be allocated to schools for the Beef Grant.) How many beef cookery classes do you teach each year?

  • If Gordon is in a class that is a year-long class and beef cookery is taught – that is one class.
  • If Gordon is in a class that lasts one semester and then signs up for a second semester and is taught beef cookery in both classes – then that is two classes.
  • If Gordon signs up for the 1st quarter, Rasheed Phillips signs up for the 2nd quarter, Guy Fieri signs up for 3rd quarter and Chef Dagan signs up for the 4th quarter and they are each taught beef cookery – then that is 4 classes. But you teach that class twice a day – then it is 8 classes during the school year.

Grant Reimbursement and Evaluation

Beef Grant monies are reimbursed to schools for the purchase of beef used in class, up to the amount awarded. Submit a reimbursement request to receive reimbursement and complete the evaluation. Deadline is May 1, 2026.