DonorsChoose is a pioneering nonprofit organization that has revolutionized public school funding since its inception in 2000.
As the most trusted crowdfunding platform for education, they've created a direct link between donors and classrooms across the United States. Their impressive track record speaks volumes — over 6.2 million people and partners have contributed more than $1.67 billion to support over 3 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences.
This substantial impact has earned DonorsChoose the highest ratings for transparency and accountability from both Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
At its core, DonorsChoose empowers teachers to request the resources they need most for their students, enabling donors to directly support these specific needs. Their process is streamlined and transparent: they meticulously vet each teacher request, purchase the funded resources, and ship them directly to the classroom. This ensures that every dollar donated translates into tangible benefits for students.
The organization's impact is staggering. Nationwide, they've delivered 11.6 million books, 3.74 million art supplies, and funded 29,548 class trips. In total, they've raised $1.68 billion for teachers and students, funding 3.01 million projects and supporting 906,020 teachers across 90,833 schools.
But DonorsChoose isn't just about numbers. Research has shown that their funded projects boost student achievement and inspire teachers to stay in the profession, despite the typically low cost of these resources. This underscores the organization's belief that the right supplies can make all the difference in a child's education.
Central to DonorsChoose's mission is addressing equity in education. They're committed to combating racial and socioeconomic inequity in school funding, with a particular focus on supporting teachers of color and schools serving low-income communities and Black, Latino, and Native American students.
By inspiring support for these often underfunded areas, DonorsChoose is working towards a future where every student, regardless of their background, has access to the tools and experiences necessary for a great education.
Photos provided by DonorsChoose.