Citadel Credit Union has officially opened the nomination period for its 24-year Citadel Heart of Learning Awards program. It will remain open through Jan. 15.

The program honors local teachers throughout the region in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties who go above and beyond for their students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Nominations are accepted online at Citadel Credit Union. Posters will be provided in schools across the area with QR codes directly linking to the form. In addition to a written nomination form, Citadel will accept video nominations on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, tagging @citadelcreditunion on TikTok or @CitadelBanking on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #CitadelHeartofLearning.

Winners will be announced in May 2025 and will receive a total of $80,000-plus in grants and awards, along with a heart-shaped, glass-blown trophy. The schools of the six Grand Prize Winners will be awarded $5,000 in funds. Last program year, Citadel reached a milestone of more than $500,000 in grants awarded to the winners, enabling them to enhance their classrooms with new resources aimed at fostering educational excellence.

“Recognizing and celebrating educators who make a difference in the lives of young people throughout the Greater Philadelphia area is an honor to all of us at Citadel,” said Citadel CEO Bill Brown. “As one of our key Citadel Cares pillars, Citadel’s commitment to education aligns well with our responsibility of helping to improve the financial well-being of those in our community, and we are thrilled and humbled to give back to these impactful individuals year after year.”

The Citadel Heart of Learning Awards program is one of Citadel’s longest-standing initiatives, officially founded in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to recognize local teachers who show dedication and go above and beyond, in and out of the classroom. Throughout the program’s history, more than 400 teachers have been awarded out of thousands of nominations received each year.

Citadel takes pride in its long-standing commitment to giving back and enriching the communities it serves. Through the Citadel Cares program, Citadel offers financial support and volunteer assistance to numerous nonprofits and charities across Greater Philadelphia. With a focus on fostering meaningful impact and resilience, Citadel’s efforts are guided by four key pillars: Financial Literacy, Education, Community and Economic Development, and Health and Wellness.

Complete eligibility information and details can be found at Citadel Credit Union.