DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose, founded in 2000 by a Bronx high school teacher, empowers public school teachers across the U.S. to request essential materials for their students, mobilizing over 1.9 million donors and raising over $314 million to support classroom projects.
Company History
DonorsChoose was founded in 2000 by a high school teacher in the Bronx. Over the years, it has continuously grown by empowering public school teachers across the United States to request necessary materials for their students. As it evolved, DonorsChoose has managed to deliver resources to 68% of U.S. public schools. The organization's impact has been boosted by the mobilization of 1,902,345 citizen donors and numerous corporate and foundation partners.
Services
DonorsChoose offers a platform where public school teachers can post requests for classroom resources, which citizen donors can then fund. This includes various giving options, such as monthly donations, gift cards, donor-advised funds, and legacy gifts. The platform also allows direct involvement from donors by enabling them to choose specific projects to support. Additionally, donations are often matched by partnering organizations to maximize the impact on classroom projects.
Philanthropic Funding
DonorsChoose has been successful in raising over $314 million to support the requests from teachers. The organization has also received more than $700 million in philanthropic funding for classroom resources. This financial support helps to meet the needs of teachers and students in U.S. public schools, with a significant focus on schools facing racial and socioeconomic inequities. More than 50% of the funded projects come from Equity Focus Schools.
Ratings and Accountability
DonorsChoose has achieved the highest possible ratings from reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar. The organization provides detailed reports on how donations are spent and the resulting impact. This transparency and dedication to accountability have been crucial in maintaining the trust and support of donors.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
DonorsChoose partners with numerous organizations to match donations and support classroom projects. Vendors like Amazon Business, Best Buy Education, and Lakeshore Learning offer a variety of resources to classrooms through the platform. Additionally, a volunteer program in NYC enables volunteers to assist with thank-you packages and donor acknowledgments. The company's blog also shares the latest news, tips, classroom stories, and inspiring insights from the community.