Finding Funding for Classroom Tech

We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, and that many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to fund supplies for the classroom. Many times, technology supplies are out of the question due to the cost. What if you could find someone to donate money for those things you know would enhance your classroom and increase student success? Enter DonorsChoose.org!

There are several teachers in our district who have already been successful with having projects funded through this site, but if you're not familiar, you're probably asking, "What is DonorsChoose.org?" DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that connects public school teachers in need of classroom materials and other learning needs to corporations, foundations, and everyday people who can help them.

A few years ago, I was looking for furniture for a reading corner in my room. I knew there was no way I could afford it out of my own pocket and that my classroom budget would not cover it either. It was then I stumbled across the DonorsChoose website. Since creating my first project, I have had a total of 20 projects funded by over 117 donors. These projects have included 3 Chromebooks, an iPad Air, a 3D printer, LEGO Mindstorm robots, MakeyMakey kits and Dash & Dot programmable robots. These are definitely resources my classroom would not have gained without the help of DonorsChoose.

Working on the LEGO robot with the help of the iPad

A MakeyMakey water piano hooked up to our Chromebook

It’s really easy for teachers to post projects. The first step is creating a username and password on the DonorsChoose site. From there, the site prompts teachers to describe their students, their project, and to explain in detail what they hope to accomplish with the materials. Teachers are then prompted to Go Shopping and fill their “cart” with the materials and supplies they need for their project. Before submitting the first project, teachers have to write a welcome message and upload a picture of their students. Once the project is submitted for review, it usually takes about 5 days for it to be posted to the DonorsChoose website. In the meantime, one of the most important things teachers can do to enhance funding is to get the word out to friends and family. Social media and email are both great platforms for sharing DonorsChoose projects. 

One of the things that has helped me most in getting projects funded is timing my projects to coincide with Matching Offers or Matching Codes. This is where a large company may offer 50% funding for projects that meet specific criteria, or where individual donors can use something like a coupon code to double his/her donation. There are actually offers that have funded 100% of a project’s cost as well. NEA almost always offers a 50% match for projects of members in the fall. You just always have to be on the lookout.

Has anyone out there who has used DonorsChoose gotten any technology-based projects funded? Do you have any pointers for someone who may be looking to create a new project? Please share your thoughts below!

If you’d like to get started gaining new resources for your classroom, but you’re not quite sure where to start, send me an e-mail. I’d be happy to help!