Have you set up your Donors Choose account yet? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Donors Choose is an organization that brings teachers and the community together to support teachers, students and families. Generous community members and companies want to donate money to help teachers get the things that they need to help their students succeed.
Donors Choose Ideas
- Math tools
- Level Readers
- Furniture
- Field Trips
- Computers / Technology
- Flexible Seating
- Center Games
- Writing supplies
- Art or Music supplies
There are thousands of options available for educators. I have created over 20 projects ranging from $500-$2,000 and they have all been funded. We all know that schools and districts can’t provide everything a teacher needs or desires. Donors Choose allows you to be that teacher that you always wanted to be without worrying about spending your own money. The average teacher spends $500-$700 a year on their students and classroom. It’s time to let Donors Choose help save your hard earned dollars.
Let’s Set Up Your Account!
It’s easy! Go to Donorschoose.org and hit create an account. Fill in all of the information needed about you and your school. Create a blurb about yourself and GET SHOPPING! You start with 3 credits to use for projects and each credit is around $400-$500 dollars. There are a list of vendors like Lakeshore, Kaplan Learning, Staples, Dicks, and so many more. Just click on the vendor and it takes you right to their website. Put everything you want in your shopping cart and when you hit checkout, it is linked to Donors Choose so there are no extra steps. The final step is to create a blurb about why you need these items and how they will help your students or yourself.
Donors Choose Thank You Package
When a project is funded it is time to write thank you letters to all of the donors and send them back to Donor’s Choose with the prepaid label. I have each student write 2 thank you letters and distribute the letters among the donors. Quick and easy! Take 5-6 pictures of your students using the new materials and post them on the site. Not all Donors ask for Thanks you letters, but it will make their day and teach your students gratitude.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Donors Choose has made it so you can get all of your materials sent to your house, your school, or your students’ houses if your are teaching remotely. Always look for match offers to help move your project along.
My Donors Choose Classroom
I have had 20, YES, 20 projects funded since I began my Donors Choose journey. I set up my first account when I got my first teaching position as a 2nd grade teacher in 2011. That year I had 2 projects funded which included and ELMO document camera a new leveled library. Over the years I have also received math centers and manipulative for all students, ELA centers and writing notebooks, shelving for books and centers (4), mobile carts, carpets, and so much more. I have been lucky and truly appreciate all that has been donated through Donors Choose.
Of course I have created projects that have not been funded, but I revised my projects by making them smaller, changing the wording in my projects, and sharing my projects on social media.
Here is a little secret……… projects under $400 get funded the fastest. Of course, don’t hesitate for those chrome books or ipads that your students need because the project will get funded, but may just take a little longer. And don’t forget to share your project on social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Get the word out that you have a project. Families and friends can also donate. Every dollar counts!
Go set up your account today and get started!
Donors Choose Account
Set your account up here
