DonorsChoose Classroom Project Grants

Mobilizing communities to fund classroom dreams

DonorsChoose is the leading crowdfunding platform connecting public school teachers with donors eager to supply classroom resources. Since its founding in 2000, the nonprofit has fulfilled more than two million projects, channeling over $1.6 billion into U.S. classrooms. Teachers post detailed project requests—ranging from STEM kits and culturally responsive books to flexible seating and virtual reality equipment—and donors fund them in increments as small as $1. The platform purchases requested materials and ships them directly to schools, eliminating reimbursement hassles.

For educators, DonorsChoose functions as an ongoing microgrant opportunity. You can launch multiple projects each year, stack match offers from corporate partners, and tap donor networks whenever new instructional needs arise. Success requires compelling storytelling, strategic budgeting, and active community engagement. This guide breaks down how to craft standout projects, leverage promotions, and maintain momentum throughout the school year.

Program overview

Eligibility and account setup

To create a project, you must verify your school email and employment. Requirements include:

• Teaching at a public or charter school (private schools are ineligible).
• Working directly with students at least 75% of the time.
• Obtaining principal approval after project submission (administrators receive an email to confirm).
• Agreeing to submit thank-you packages—photos, impact letter, and student notes—within 30 days of receiving materials.

Once your account is approved, you can post your first project after attending a brief orientation webinar or completing the DonorsChoose onboarding modules.

Planning a high-impact project

1. Identify a specific student need. Projects with clear academic outcomes outperform generic requests. Examples include decodable readers for emerging bilingual students, robotics kits for girls in STEM clubs, or sensory tools for neurodivergent learners.
2. Build a shopping list. DonorsChoose partners with vendors like Amazon Business, Lakeshore, Scholastic, and Best Buy. Use the internal marketplace to add items. Keep project costs under $1,000 to increase funding odds.
3. Craft a compelling title. Use vivid, student-centered language (e.g., “Launching Latina Coders with Robotics Kits” instead of “Need Robots”).
4. Write an engaging essay. The narrative includes three sections: Student Motivation, Project Description, and Project Impact. Share demographic context, classroom challenges, and how materials will transform learning. Keep paragraphs short and incorporate sensory details.
5. Set a realistic timeline. Projects remain live for four months. Plan to launch during peak donor periods—back-to-school (August–September), Giving Tuesday, and Teacher Appreciation Week.
6. Prepare thank-you strategy. Outline how you will showcase results to donors (classroom photos, student reflections, data on academic growth).

Leveraging match offers and incentives

DonorsChoose frequently partners with companies and foundations that match donations for specific subjects, grade levels, or geographic regions. To capitalize:

• Filter the “Match Offers” page weekly to identify active campaigns (e.g., STEM, environmental sustainability, mental health).
• Align project goals with available matches, adjusting materials if necessary.
• Use keywords suggested by DonorsChoose to trigger automatic matching.
• Launch projects when national promotions such as “Double Your Impact” or “Friends and Family” matches are active.

Additionally, new teachers often qualify for the “Welcome to DonorsChoose” match, doubling donations on their first project. Keep an eye on flash funding opportunities where corporate partners fully fund qualifying projects on specific days.

Marketing your project

Successful educators treat DonorsChoose as a storytelling platform:

• Activate personal networks. Share project links via email, social media, parent newsletters, and local community groups. Provide sample language to make it easy for supporters to share.
• Engage local press. Pitch human-interest stories to community newspapers or radio stations. Highlight unique aspects—students building solar-powered cars or launching a school podcast.
• Collaborate with PTAs. Ask parent organizations to match donations or host fundraising events tied to your project.
• Use promo codes. When DonorsChoose issues limited-time promo codes (e.g., “LIFTOFF”), blast them to supporters. These codes often trigger bonus funding from the platform.
• Celebrate milestones. Post updates when you reach 25%, 50%, and 75% funding, encouraging donors to help close the gap.

Maintaining donor relationships

After materials arrive, deliver thank-you packages promptly:

• Upload high-quality photos showing students using the resources. Ensure photo releases are on file.
• Write a heartfelt impact letter describing what changed in the classroom—improved reading fluency, increased STEM engagement, calmer sensory regulation.
• Collect handwritten student notes where appropriate. Provide sentence stems for younger students.

Send periodic updates beyond the required package. Share data, anecdotes, or media coverage. Loyal donors are more likely to fund future projects and join monthly giving programs.

Tips for repeat success

1. Start small. Keep initial projects under $400 to build donor confidence. Once you establish a track record, gradually request higher-cost items like 3D printers or field trips.
2. Bundle materials strategically. Group items by instructional unit to tell a cohesive story (e.g., “Building an Urban Garden Curriculum” with seeds, soil, hydroponic kits, and science notebooks).
3. Plan for sustainability. Explain how resources will be used year after year. Durable materials and reusable kits appeal to donors looking for long-term impact.
4. Highlight equity. Emphasize how the project addresses resource gaps for Title I schools, emergent bilingual students, or rural communities.
5. Participate in teacher communities. Join DonorsChoose Facebook groups, subreddit threads, or district cohorts to share strategies and learn about new promotions.
6. Analyze metrics. Use the teacher dashboard to track donor sources, average donation size, and time to funding. Adjust outreach accordingly.

Integrating DonorsChoose into school funding plans

Coordinate with administrators and colleagues to align projects with school improvement goals:

• Host collaborative campaigns where grade-level teams submit complementary projects.
• Share resources across classrooms—establish a checkout system for robotics kits or literacy centers funded via DonorsChoose.
• Combine with district grants by using DonorsChoose for supplemental materials while institutional funds cover infrastructure.
• Present results at faculty meetings to build buy-in and inspire other educators to participate.

Advanced strategies

• Recurring donors: Encourage community members to join “Classroom Champions,” a monthly giving option that supports your future projects automatically.
• Corporate sponsorships: Approach local businesses with data on your classroom demographics and invite them to sponsor projects. Provide recognition via social media and school events.
• Grant stacking: Pair DonorsChoose projects with other microgrants (e.g., Fund for Teachers, NEA Foundation). Use DonorsChoose for materials while other grants cover travel or PD.
• Student involvement: Engage students in project creation—let them brainstorm needs, write persuasive paragraphs, or produce thank-you videos. This increases authenticity and donor engagement.
• Data storytelling: Track pre- and post-assessment results to quantify impact. Share growth metrics in thank-you letters and future project narratives.

Compliance and best practices

• Follow district policies regarding crowdfunding. Some districts require prior approval or limit fundraising for certain items.
• Avoid prohibited items such as gift cards, cash, or personal technology not used in instruction.
• Ensure shipping addresses are accurate and that someone is available to receive deliveries.
• Store materials in classrooms; DonorsChoose retains ownership but expects items to remain with the school if you transfer.

Long-term benefits

Teachers who consistently use DonorsChoose build a portfolio of funded projects that supports career advancement. Include project links in evaluation portfolios, grant applications, and National Board Certification submissions. The platform’s analytics help quantify your fundraising capacity and community engagement. Many districts recognize DonorsChoose champions as innovation leaders and may offer professional development stipends or leadership roles in instructional technology.

Final encouragement

DonorsChoose empowers educators to bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks and deliver transformative learning experiences. By crafting precise, student-centered project narratives, leveraging match offers, and nurturing donor relationships, you can create a sustainable pipeline of classroom funding. Treat each project as both a microgrant and a storytelling opportunity, and watch your classroom flourish with community-backed resources.