DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose. It is an American nonprofit crowdfunding platform where public school teachers can post classroom project requests for specific resources, and donors can choose which projects to fund. Founded in 2000 by a history teacher in the Bronx, the organization has grown to become a significant force in supporting public school educators across the United States. The platform is designed to connect individual donors, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations directly with classroom needs, from books and art supplies to technology and field trips.

History

The organization was founded in 2000 by Charles Best, then a history teacher at Wings Academy in the Bronx. Best conceived the idea after witnessing firsthand the lack of basic supplies and enrichment opportunities for his students, a common issue in many Title I schools. He initially funded the first dozen projects himself, using a rudimentary website to post requests for items like novels for a literature project. The concept gained significant national attention after a 2007 feature on The Oprah Winfrey Show, leading to a surge in donor participation. Over the years, it has expanded to serve every public school across America, partnering with major entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Google.org.

How it works

A public school teacher creates a project request on the platform, detailing the specific resources needed, the number of students impacted, and the educational purpose. Projects can range from requests for basic supplies like pencils and notebooks to funding for 3D printers, robotics kits, or trips to local museums. Donors, who can be individuals or organizations, browse these requests and contribute any amount toward a project's total goal. Once a project is fully funded, the organization purchases the items and ships them directly to the school, with teachers required to provide photographs and thank-you notes. This model of vendor fulfillment ensures accountability and guarantees that donations are used as specified.

Impact and outcomes

Since its inception, the platform has channeled over one billion dollars in resources to more than 600,000 public school teachers, impacting tens of millions of students, particularly in high-poverty communities. Studies, including one conducted by researchers at Harvard University, have shown that funded projects lead to measurable increases in student engagement and academic outcomes. The organization has been particularly impactful in supporting STEM education, literacy initiatives, and arts programs in under-resourced districts. Its data on classroom needs has also been used in policy reports and by organizations like the RAND Corporation to highlight funding disparities in American education.

Funding model and fees

The organization operates on a model that includes a platform fee, which is automatically added to each project goal to cover operational costs like payment processing, customer service, and vetting. This fee is typically a percentage of the cost of the requested materials. Importantly, donors have the option to cover these fees separately, ensuring that 100% of their designated project donation goes toward the classroom materials. Corporate partnerships and large-scale philanthropic matches, often from companies like Chevron Corporation or foundations like the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, are crucial for amplifying donor impact and keeping fees low.

Recognition and partnerships

The organization has received widespread recognition, including the 2011 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and being named one of *TIME* magazine's "50 Best Websites." It has forged significant partnerships with major corporations, including The Home Depot, Apple Inc., and Disney, which often provide matching funds or sponsor specific project categories. High-profile support has also come from figures like Stephen Colbert, whose annual fundraising events have brought substantial visibility. These collaborations have enabled large-scale funding initiatives, such as supporting projects in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Katrina or during the COVID-19 pandemic for remote learning resources.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:Educational organizations based in the United States Category:Crowdfunding websites