A Decade of Impact How the CFP Foundation Is Changing South Florida—One School at a Time

While South Florida prepared to take center stage for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship, the legacy of the CFP Foundation in the region had already been firmly written. Over the last decade, the CFP Foundation’s work —alongside the Miami Host Committee and the Orange Bowl Committee—has led to more than $10 million in education-focused investments in school districts across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, leaving a lasting impact on students, teachers and entire communities.

Map of Makeovers

At the heart of this work is the Extra Yard Makeover, one of the CFP Foundation’s signature programs. Over 75 elementary and middle school libraries across South Florida have been transformed into modern, innovative learning environments equipped with state-of-the-art technology and flexible, collaborative designs. These spaces aren’t just renovations—they’re reimagining how students will learn for decades. By the end of the school year, every middle school in Miami-Dade County will have received an Extra Yard Makeover—a milestone moment for the district.

“Changing our middle school libraries into modern learning spaces has had a tremendous impact on engagement and learning outcomes,” said Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres. “In addition to a renovation, the transformation is an investment in our teachers, our students, and our future.”

The results speak for themselves, as these projects have directly benefited over 100,000 students and 4,000 teachers by driving higher student engagement and increased use of library spaces. Research consistently shows that redesigned libraries and maker-centered environments boost creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and confidence, which are skills today’s students need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Beyond libraries, the CFP Foundation has expanded its reach through more than $6 million in special projects in collaboration with community partners. Landmark investments include the Orange Bowl Field at the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade ($4.6 million) and STEM Centers in Miami Gardens ($650,000). These projects extend opportunity and resources to students and educators where they’re needed most.

In Miami-Dade County Public Schools—the nation’s third-largest district—the Foundation’s impact has grown even deeper through Miami Loves Teachers, an initiative launched in April 2025 to support educator retention through recognition and resources. In just one year, the initiative has engaged more than 18,000 educators, provided over $300,000 in classroom resources, delivered over 100 Great Teacher Recognition celebrations, hosted over 10 teacher appreciation events, and distributed more than 1,200 tickets through its partnership with Tickets for Teachers.

The weekly celebration of educators has also gained momentum, with 288 nominations submitted for Teacher of the Week honors and 18 educators selected so far.

While the 2026 CFP National Championship shined a national spotlight on South Florida, the CFP Foundation’s work is a reminder that meaningful wins don’t just happen on the field. They happen every day—in classrooms, libraries, and communities—where teachers are supported, students are inspired, and the Extra Yard truly makes the difference.