Getting Resources for Your Classroom Through Donors Choose

With back to school approaching, many teachers start thinking of their students,  classroom, and curriculum.  It is impossible to go to Target without seeing the massive school supply section and then leaving the store with more items for your classroom than your home.  We teachers spend our own money on materials for our students so that they can have a more enjoyable experience.  But did you know that you do not have to spend your own money?  There are grants and resources available and one of my favorites is Donors Choose.

If you haven’t created a project on Donors Choose, I highly recommend it!  I have had FIVE projects funded and I have another one live now.  Just use this link and follow the steps below to help you have a successful project.

Setting Up Your Account

The process is so easy and it starts by creating your account.  Be sure to use your school email address and mailing address.  You will also need a picture of yourself that you can upload.

Creating Your Project

When you are ready to create your first project, you can do a standard or a professional development project.  Be sure to check for match offers before you start your project to maximize donations.  Then you will need to explain who will benefit from the project  by including a description of who your students are and uploading a classroom photo.  Next, you will select a vendor and the supplies needed for your project.  The vendors are somewhat limited, however I have been able to find most of my supplies from them.  Once you have successfully completed several projects, you can request supplies from outside vendors, but the process is a little more complicated.  After you select your supplies, you will need to explain what the materials will be used for and how it will impact your students.  Finally, you will submit your project and wait for it to be approved.  Donors Choose might ask you follow up questions about your project, but they make the entire process so easy.

Project Ideas

I have had 5 projects funded and they were all different.  Some of my projects were for flexible seating, professional development books, classroom library organization, and French magazines.  I am working on another project that will help me provide my students with some basic materials, like a classroom folder, so that they can be prepared and organized for class.  The possibilities are endless!  Be sure to keep your project small, between $100-$250 so that it is more likely to be funded.  I have had success with breaking up my projects into smaller ones.

Project Completion

Once you submit your project, you can start getting advance funding.  Donors Choose even helps you by allowing you to post it to social media as well as provides suggestions for emails that you can send.  You can even thank the donors when they donate to your project.  When your project is completed, Donors Choose will contact you to make sure that you still want the materials that you requested.  A few short weeks (or days if you ordered from Amazon) your materials will arrive at your school.  Be sure to take pictures of the materials arriving and your students (or you) using them so that you can complete your thank you post.  Then you can start planning your next Donors Choose project!

So now that you know how easy it is to request materials for your classroom from Donors Choose, what are you waiting for?  link