WEXFORD — November 13, 2026 -- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty has committed $18,000 to seven education awards for the 2026–2027 cycle. The package adds four teacher grants of up to $1,500 each to the brokerage's Dream, Innovate, Grow scholarship program, run in partnership with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty.
The money covers 32 counties, 16 in Western Pennsylvania and 16 in Eastern Ohio. That works out to about $563 per county.
Teacher grants account for one-third of the $18,000 commitment
The four Innovative Teaching Grants total $6,000 at the full $1,500 level, or one-third of the budget. The three student scholarships of $4,000 each make up the other $12,000, or two-thirds. The release describes the grants both as "$1,500" and as "up to $1,500", so $6,000 is a ceiling, not a guaranteed spend.
The grants go to PreK–12 educators for hands-on classroom projects that, the company says, limited school budgets cannot support. One grant is reserved for each of four categories: elementary (PreK–Grade 5), middle school (Grades 6–8), high school (Grades 9–12) and an at-large slot open to any grade level.
CEO and President Tom Hosack said the grants help teachers "turn creative ideas into real learning experiences." Hosack leads both participating brokerages.
Scholarship money is paid over up to four years, not in 2026–2027
Each $4,000 scholarship is paid as $1,000 per year for up to four years, and renewal requires a 3.25 GPA. By our calculation, first-year cash outlay is about $9,000: $3,000 in scholarship installments plus $6,000 in grants, assuming the grants are paid in full. The remaining $9,000 depends on recipients staying above the renewal threshold.
Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. The company says academic merit and community character, leadership and volunteerism are weighted equally. Funds go toward tuition at an accredited college, university or trade school.
The company did not disclose the prior-year scholarship budget, so the size of the increase cannot be measured.
Applications close March 1, 2027, 108 days after the announcement
Both student and educator applications are due by 3:00 PM EST on Monday, March 1, 2027. Educators apply online through the brokerage's website. Students obtain materials through their guidance counselors.
Teaching grant recipients will be announced by April 2, 2027, 32 days after the deadline. Grant funds must be used by June 1, 2027, 60 days after that announcement.