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For 25 years, DonorsChoose has proved that people are excited to help classrooms in need when they can choose where their money is going.

Through our platform, teachers request materials their students need, and funders give any amount to the requests that inspire them, and we deliver funded materials directly to the classroom. Teachers share the impact their new resources had on students through thank-you letters and photos. 

And unlike other organizations, most of our funding comes from outside teachers’ networks of friends and family — including companies that want to target their giving to communities and subjects that matter to their brand. It’s turning action into impact, and we’re proud to work with organizations like Google, Allstate, and Riot Games to bring learning to life.

The secret ingredient? We take the time to get to know our teachers so our partners can make a measurable difference.

Every time a teacher submits a project to DonorsChoose, we receive data on that classroom: the number of students served, subject area, items requested, and more. We also receive a whole essay describing those students’ needs. 

This robust data means that when your organization partners with us, your support gets personal. You decide exactly who, what, and where — and we take care of the rest. Reaching the communities you care about has never been simpler.

Here’s a snapshot of the teachers using our site to support their students in 2025:

More than 232,000 diverse teachers use DonorsChoose.Of teachers who’ve shared their demographic information with us, 38% are teachers of color, compared to 20% of teachers nationally. 29% are first generation college students, and more than half of the teachers who use DonorsChoose work in historically underserved schools.

Teachers use our site in all 50 states and Washington DC.  The states with the most active teachers include California, Texas, New York, Colorado, and Florida. 

Teacher users fall across all metro types. The highest percentage of users falls in urban areas, followed by suburban areas, and rural communities.

Teachers across all grade levels use our site. Elementary school teachers make up the majority of our users due to their students’ high need for hands-on learning materials.

No matter the subject, teachers need supplies so their students can level up. Of all the projects logged on DonorsChoose, these five subjects have the highest number of teacher supply requests.

1. Literacy & Language
2. Life Skills
3. STEM
4. Health, Sports, & Wellness
5. Special Education
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Teachers shop from 22 vendors to get the exact materials that meet students’ unique needs. Teachers are in total control of the supplies they receive, and these are the top five types of requested resources:

1. Classroom Basics 
2. Educational Kits & Games
3. Art Supplies
4. Instructional Technology
5. Books
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When you’re a DonorsChoose partner, your generosity reaches people in the communities you care about.

Our team is excited to create a custom partnership targeting your support to achieve your company’s impact and business goals. Contact our team through our Partner Center to learn more.

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For a generation of students, the DonorsChoose community has helped level the playing field with one simple idea: If teachers can share what their students need, people will jump in and help. Together, we've filled schools with $1.7 billion in vital supplies.

Our community believes in teachers and kids. They cannot do this work alone, and we’ll continue to empower and celebrate them, especially in the communities that need it most.

Every day, we move closer to a world where every student has the resources they need to thrive. Here are some of the heartwarming, life-changing moments our community of teachers, supporters, staff, and collaborators have created. 

2000: DonorsChoose launched in the Bronx by teacher Charles Best

Charles Best, a young history and English teacher in the Bronx, spent much of his modest teacher’s salary on school supplies. Discouraged by the lack of funding his school had access to (and frustrated by his 5am trips to Staples to photocopy pages of classic novels for his students), he started a nonprofit website to connect people with teachers in need. He and his colleagues posted the first 11 projects, sparking a movement to support public school classrooms, one donation at a time. It was crowdfunding before crowdfunding was even a word!

2007: DonorsChoose goes national

After a successful launch in New York, teachers in other states  started posting their own projects too! DonorsChoose officially opened for all 50 and Washington, D.C. in 2007. Since then, teachers from almost 90% of public schools across America have requested resources through DonorsChoose.

2008: The first big award

In 2008 the DonorsChoose community received their first major award: an Engage for Good Halo Award for a partnership with Crate & Barrel. Since then, the organization has received a whopping 15 Halo Awards, as well as Shorty Awards and awards from Ragan Communications, PR Daily, Webby, and more. 

2010: DonorsChoose Featured on Oprah’s “Favorite Things”

Does it get any more iconic than Oprah’s Favorite Things? Founder Charles Best appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to share the mission of DonorsChoose. Viewers from all over the world rushed to the website in droves — so many, in fact, that the DonorsChoose site crashed under the demand. This moment introduced countless new donors to the power of funding classrooms.

2011: Disaster Relief Work Begins 

In May 2011, a catastrophic tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, causing severe damage to the city's schools. In response, DonorsChoose launched its first disaster recovery initiative, enabling donors nationwide to provide affected classrooms with supplies. This marked the beginning of an ongoing commitment to help teachers and students recover after natural disasters. In the years since, DonorsChoose has mobilized support for schools impacted by events such as hurricanes, floods, and fires, including the 2025 California wildfires. 

2012: DonorsChoose Helps Launch GivingTuesday

In 2012, DonorsChoose joined other nonprofits as a founding partner of GivingTuesday, a global movement encouraging charitable giving following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Every year since, the DonorsChoose community has celebrated GivingTuesday with a wave of donations for classrooms nationwide. 

2013: Inaugural Partner Summit

DonorsChoose hosted its first Partner Summit in 2013, bringing together corporate and foundation partners to discuss strategies for enhancing support for public school classrooms. This event fostered collaboration and innovation, leading to increased resources for teachers and students. Partner Summit has become an annual tradition, with surprises, celebrations, and guest speakers. Treasured partners such as Google.org, Chevron, and PNC have attended over the years.

2014: Recognized Among Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies

In 2014, Fast Company honored DonorsChoose as one of its "50 Most Innovative Companies", marking the second time the organization received this accolade. This time, founder Charles Best graced the magazine's cover, highlighting the organization's pioneering approach to educational crowdfunding.

2015: Teacher Joins Board of Directors

In 2015, Genein Letford became the first teacher appointed to the DonorsChoose Board of Directors, bringing an educator's perspective to the organization's leadership. Since then, DonorsChoose has consistently had multiple teachers on the Board, ensuring that the voices of those directly involved in classrooms guide the organization's direction. 

2015: “Think It Up” National TV Fundraiser

DonorsChoose partnered with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to launch "Think It Up," a national television fundraiser aimed at supporting student-powered, teacher-led learning projects. The event featured celebrities like Justin Bieber, Kacey Musgraves, and Big Sean, generating widespread attention and inspiring viewers to get involved.

2015: Named Among Best Nonprofits to Work For

In 2015, DonorsChoose made its first of many appearances on the Nonprofit Times' "Best Nonprofits to Work For" list, reflecting the organization's commitment to supporting teachers, students, and its employees.

2016: Inaugural #BestSchoolDay

The first #BestSchoolDay campaign debuted in 2016, with celebrities and philanthropists flash-funding classroom projects across the country. DonorsChoose Board of Directors member Stephen Colbert announced the day on The Late Show with a group of surprise donors, inspiring thousands of people from every corner of the country to jump in and donate too.

2018: GMA's “Giving My All” Campaign 

In 2018, Good Morning America featured DonorsChoose as part of their "Giving My All" campaign, spotlighting teachers' dedication and the needs of their classrooms. The partnership raised both awareness and funds for schools, empowering viewers to support classrooms directly. Since then, Good Morning America has featured DonorsChoose educators many times, showcasing the life-changing power of amazing teachers.

2018: One Millionth Project Funded

In winter 2018, the community funded its one millionth classroom project (woah!), a testament to the trust teachers and supporters have put in DonorsChoose.

2018: The rebrand (New logo unveiled!)

In 2018, DonorsChoose underwent a rebranding, introducing a new logo and visual identity to reflect its evolution. You can usually see this new logo and look all over the site, but right now you’ll actually see the limited edition 25th Anniversary logo! 

2018: Ripple Funds Every Project

The third installment of the #BestSchoolDay campaign in 2018 saw a remarkable contribution from Ripple, a cryptocurrency company, which funded every project on DonorsChoose. This unprecedented donation energized individual, everyday donors and also highlighted the potential of corporate and foundation partnerships in addressing educational needs.

2019: Record-Breaking Day of Giving

In August 2019, thanks to one of many generous match offers from the Gates Foundation, DonorsChoose saw an incredible surge in generosity. A whopping 69,356 individual donors gave to classrooms in a single day, making it the largest single day of giving in DonorsChoose history — a record that stands to this day. Match offers continue to drive contributions, with partners like SONIC Drive-In and Craig Newmark Philanthropies funding sitewide matches over the years to drive donations.

2020: Rapid Response to COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools across the country to shut their doors, the DonorsChoose team sprang into action. Recognizing the urgent need for distance learning resources and direct-to-teachers shipments, the organization swiftly adapted its model, allowing teachers to request supplies for at-home learning. In just weeks, DonorsChoose raised $11 million for this effort, deploying funds immediately to equip students with books, technology, and other essentials to keep them learning while schools were closed.

2020: $1 Billion Raised for Public School Classrooms

In 2020, DonorsChoose crossed a monumental milestone — $1 billion raised for classroom resources! This achievement represented millions of books, laptops, musical instruments, and hands-on learning tools delivered to schools across the country, all thanks to the generosity of individual donors and corporate partners. You can see the impact by-the-numbers here.

2021: Equity Focus Schools Initiative Launches

In 2021, DonorsChoose introduced a new school category on the site: Equity Focus Schools. By highlighting these schools, DonorsChoose reinforced its commitment to educational equity. This groundbreaking effort helps direct funds to schools that have been historically underfunded due to economic and racial inequities. 

2021: Alix Guerrier Becomes CEO

In 2021, Alix Guerrier took the helm as CEO of DonorsChoose, bringing with him a wealth of experience in education, technology, and philanthropy. A former teacher and co-founder of LearnZillion, Guerrier’s leadership signaled a new chapter for the organization, blending innovation and equity-driven initiatives with a deep understanding of educators’ needs.

2025: 25 Years of Supporting Teachers & Students

In 2025, DonorsChoose celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of empowering teachers and enriching public school classrooms. DonorsChoose and its community of teachers, donors, and collaborators are just getting started.

Learn more about the DonorsChoose story and mission here.

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In 2016, I was new to America, teaching at Harvest Prep Academy in rural Yuma, Arizona. Struggling with a class of uninterested students, I nearly left. Seeing my frustration, one student said, “Nobody wants to teach us, Mr. Santos. The teachers all leave, so why bother paying attention?” His words revealed a deep sense of abandonment felt by these children. That day, I vowed to stay and make a difference. With the help of my students and school, we’ve done just that!

As a Title I school with 97% minority enrollment, many being immigrants or ESL learners, we face real challenges. Our students have the same ambition and drive as those in well-funded suburban schools, but we lack resources and access to technology… especially AI tools.

When I first started, I had trouble finding students who were interested in the STEM program I was hired to build, and my lab had nothing but a sink, test tubes, and a candle. Fast forward to today, we have 300 young minds working on STEM projects across K-12. My class became a National Finalist in the 2023/2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, high school seniors are mentoring elementary students, and alumni are achieving milestones like a Fulbright to Stanford.

When recently asked what we’ve been doing with AI, I had to admit, “Not much, YET.” It wasn’t until Solve for Tomorrow’s $50,000 prize package that we were able to secure 23 laptops equipped with AI. AI is now helping our students perform data analysis, visualize research, and brainstorm ideas — while LLMs are making STEM learning more accessible for our ESL students through translation.

We’re a prime example of the challenges highlighted in Samsung and DonorsChoose’s The State of STEM Education survey. While 96% of public middle and high school educators believe AI will be central to education within a decade, 97% say they urgently need more resources to integrate it into classrooms.

From my experience, here are three steps teachers can take today to prepare students for an AI-driven future:

1. Embrace an Open Mindset: AI often comes with fear and misconceptions, but science shows it can be a powerful tool in education. Developing AI literacy — both for educators and students — can minimize fear and highlight AI’s learning benefits.

2. Expand Access & Opportunities: Expose students to AI through STEM competitions. Seek grants and build partnerships with tech companies. Advocate for professional development that helps teachers use AI as both a classroom subject and a lesson planning tool.

3. Champion a Supportive Environment: Teachers need the trust and backing of their schools and districts to implement AI-driven initiatives. A supportive ecosystem fosters innovation and ensures students are equipped for a fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Reflecting on my eight years at Harvest Prep, I can’t help but wonder—what if I had left like so many before me? I would have never witnessed my students defy expectations, build confidence, and achieve dreams they once thought were out of reach. Staying was the best decision I ever made, and their success proves that when given the right support, every child has the potential to thrive.

Breaking News: Season 2 of the Podcast is Here!

“What will I be when I grow up? An astronaut? A teacher? A filmmaker? An athlete?” Students wonder about so many things when dreaming about their futures (and so do many adults!). If the kids in your life are asking these questions, Most Likely To, a podcast by DonorsChoose is the perfect listen in 2025. 

For 25 years, DonorsChoose has been helping teachers give their students the resources they need, and our podcast was created with this goal in mind: a new resource for kids to hear directly from professionals from underrepresented backgrounds in a wide range of industries. Most Likely To is all about the journeys people take to get to where they are, making every dream accessible to students across the country.

Hosted by Janelle Lin, Most Likely To has already featured so many inspiring guests, from beauty industry powerhouse Amy Liu to Broadway star Jose Llana to groundbreaking scientist Dr. Raven Baxter (just to name a few!). With a new sponsorship from KPMG, season 2 promises an equally exciting lineup — kicking things off with Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez. 

You don’t have to wait; check out Laurie’s episode today! In the season premiere, students will learn how Laurie went from normal kid to Olympic medalist and the many different sources of strength she found along the way, including her community. As she puts it, “We can do things alone, but how much better is it with other people?” 

“We can do things alone, but how much better is it with other people?” –Laurie Hernandez on the power of community in season 2, episode 1

Community care is something Laurie continues to this day. She’s a longtime Learning Ambassador for KPMG, and she’s one of our collaborators in achieving equitable education access for all.

Subscribe to the new season of Most Likely To now and get to know how icons like Laurie got their start. Incredible journeys await your students! 

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CONTACT:
amy@goodpolicypartners.com
media@donorschoose.org

February 18, 2025 – Education nonprofit DonorsChoose today announced the results of Connecticut’s 2024 Connecticut Educator Support Funds Initiative—a $4 million investment of ARP ESSER funds by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to help public school educators access more resources for their individual classrooms. Through that investment, the CSDE was able to directly fund 4,634 DonorsChoose projects submitted by Connecticut teachers requesting resources for 756 schools across the state.

The Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2024 partnership with DonorsChoose was the first in the state’s history, allowing the Department of Education to invest in teacher-led projects. As Commissioner Russell-Tucker stated when this initiative launched, “Connecticut is home to excellent educators, and they deserve to be celebrated. Teachers work enthusiastically on behalf of our students every single day, fostering classroom environments where students are encouraged to be curious and take risks, and where student learning, growth, and well-being is always at the forefront. This investment emphasizes how important our educators are and how deeply we value the work they do on behalf of our state’s students.”  

Research out of the University of Michigan has shown that teacher-led investments can both reduce gaps in academic achievement and reduce teacher turnover. 

“Even small investments can really help to move the needle for individual students when those investments are targeted,” said Kirk Smiley, Managing Director of Government Partnerships at DonorsChoose. “That’s because teachers know their students well and can see precisely what barriers they face. They can identify exactly how to help their students make gains. We are so pleased by what Connecticut has been able to accomplish in giving its teachers this opportunity.”

Connecticut’s results, made public today by DonorsChoose, showcases Connecticut’s investments through the Connecticut Educator Support Fund and shows the impact of that effort on statewide priorities like literacy, special education, and innovation. 

“Teachers in every classroom have innovative ideas to engage their students in meaningful ways, but too often, a lack of funding stands in the way,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “This program not only provides immediate financial support for these initiatives but also offers valuable insights into the resources and tools educators need to ensure their students thrive.”

View the newly released data here.

As teachers, you’ve seen kids learn by doing more times than you can count. Whether you’re showing a student how to tie their shoes or helping them learn what happens when you mix an acid and a base, experiential learning is a favorite in most teachers’ toolkits. Research proves you’re right to employ these methods: hands-on, real-world experiences that foster active participation and creativity can help students retain up to 70% more information compared to traditional learning methods. 

So it’s no wonder that our partners at the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, with their passion for supporting teachers and students, created the Experiential Learning Innovation Challenge.

Teachers across the country shared projects focused on giving students opportunities to engage in activities that deepen their understanding through direct experience, exploration, problem-solving and connections to the world beyond the classroom.

The Top 10 Winners of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Learning Innovation Challenge

We called on teachers across the country to share their ideas for experiential learning, and a $500,000 grant helped participating teachers get key classroom materials. A group of DonorsChoose Teacher Ambassadors judged the teachers’ project submissions for innovation, student engagement, and learning impact.

Bring These Projects To Your Students 

Teachers, think any of these curriculum designs would be a big hit with your students? Copy the shopping cart of your favorite projects below to bring the supplies and lessons to your own classroom!

The 10 Winning Projects

Elementary School

Exploring STEM with Drones: Hands-On Learning for Future Innovators! | Mr. Puod, New Mexico

This teacher is using compelling tech to support his students’ physics and computer science education. Here’s to the future engineers, tech wizards and robotics innovators in his class!

Bilingual Biologists: Classroom Ecosystem Exploration | Mrs. Ezolt, Arizona

This request for science materials — including an AeroGarden and lab coats, among other supplies — gives English language learners a get-your-hands dirty classroom environment ripe for scientific discovery and vital language practice.

Middle School

Breaking Language Barriers Through Technology and Creative Expression | Mrs. Kathy Clark, Texas

This teacher merges technology with literacy development through translator pens and podcast equipment. We can’t wait to hear the stories her bilingual students have to tell!

A Blast from the Past! | Mrs. Peele, North Carolina

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how Mrs. Peele uses rocket launchers to teach aerodynamics, the laws of motion, and the physical forces that make flight possible.

Mission: Innovation — Drones Elevating Young Minds | Mrs. Clark, Alabama

This teacher’s request for drones transformed her school’s library into a hands-on, interactive STEM laboratory.

‍High School

Elegant Enchantment: Table Linens and More for Dinner Theater Magic | Mrs. Vlaming, Nevada

Mrs. Vlaming is bringing her students through the looking glass by having them create an Alice in Wonderland-themed dining experience! From chefs to actors, her students will practice teamwork and creativity — and maybe a bit of magic!

‍Detroit Students Building Leadership & Public Speaking Skills! | Dr. DeGarmo, Michigan

When students are passionate about a topic, learning often happens more easily. Encouraging passion and combining it with interview skills and public speaking experience sets students up for success far beyond the classroom.

Clear Air, Bright Minds: Classroom Air Filter Project | Ms. Wirts Pelayo, California

What could be more important than keeping the air we breathe clean? When Ms. Wirts Pelayo’s students measured higher-than-expected CO₂ levels in the classroom, she knew their next unit had to tackle clean air.

Unveiling the Anatomy: a Forensic Exploration Through Fetal Pig Autopsy | Mrs. Frazier, Arizona

With students expressing interest in forensic science, Mrs. Frazier sought ways to give her students hands-on experience with investigation approaches.

So, You Want to Be in Healthcare! | Dr. Lincecum, Massachusetts

All it took was five crucial learning kits to bring Dr. Lincecum’s innovative curriculum to life.  Now, budding nurses, doctors, and technicians are getting hands-on experience that is both unforgettable and practical.
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Want to support one of these innovative educators? Click on their profile to see what they're dreaming up!

You know that look when students learn about a job they love? They feel something click: I wanna do that! There’s no doubt that hearing from working professionals can help kids envision their future. But just how impactful is that experience? And how can we use research to improve our students’ odds of building futures they believe in?

Our partners at Amazon Future Engineer put their research into practice by creating Career Tours — free, standards-aligned curricular resources for 3rd–10th grade classes that connect what students are learning in the classroom with real world careers. 

While funds last, teachers who complete a Career Tour through Kahoot! with 20 or more students and fill out a short survey can earn $100 in DonorsChoose funding, thanks to Amazon Future Engineer! Keep reading to hear from three of the hundreds of teachers who’ve already tapped into these career readiness tools, and check available funding.

Research shows what teachers know — access to STEM careers isn’t yet equal

When Amazon Future Engineer and Gallup partnered to create the Careers of the Future Index, their research revealed that, across industries and education levels, STEM careers consistently rank high when it comes to income, job availability, job growth, and resistance to automation. Making sure all students understand the STEM careers available to them is crucial to giving them as many opportunities for success as possible.

But their research also revealed a roadblock. While computer science skills are among the most sought-after in the U.S. job market, many students — especially those with identities that are underrepresented in STEM — lack computer science learning opportunities in school and don’t see many role models who look like them thriving in STEM fields. 

Amazon Future Engineer discovered, down to the data point, that if we want our students to make informed career decisions, we need to help them envision their future.

Connecting students with real-world jobs, right from the classroom

Amazon Future Engineer set out to create a free curricular resource for 3rd–10th grade classes that connects what students are learning in the classroom with real-world careers. The result: Career Tours, a virtual set of field trips that inspire students to pursue careers of the future by exploring Amazon’s technologies. 

Students can dive into what it takes to write, produce, and release a song on streaming channels through Amazon Music; discover how pharmacists and engineers work together with robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning through Amazon Pharmacy; and even explore the technology on the Orion spacecraft in NASA’s Artemis I flight test. Each career tour highlights the diverse under-sung heroes of STEM careers and includes a full lesson plan for easy classroom adoption. Lesson plans are standards aligned, bringing key knowledge off the page. 

Teachers — and students — are buzzing about Career Tours

Amazon Future Engineer was confident Career Tours would meet a real classroom need and teachers agree! We’ve been thrilled to see that 95% of participating teachers feel satisfied or extremely satisfied with the Career Tour experience.

“Students are amazed by the various career options associated with a simple song,” says Ms. Xu, a high school teacher in Fresh Meadows, NY who took her class on a field trip into the world of music production. “The breakdown of each step in music production really shows students the unique and specific skill sets that exist.”

Mr. Ugalde, an elementary school teacher in San Jose, CA, found a similar response in his students after a virtual field trip through the Amazon Fulfillment Center. “The classroom is buzzing with discussions on how our robots, like the ones at Amazon, can be programmed to navigate and search for items, creating an atmosphere of excitement and inspiration.”

Career Tours can also help answer questions and solve misconceptions that young learners may have about various fields. With movies like Big Hero 6 and M3GAN popular among her middle school class, Ms. Novak found that her students felt worried about the future of AI. “Understanding the process [through Career Tours] made them so much more confident,” she says. 

Teachers’ feedback makes it clear: that connecting students with real-world experiences helps them feel excited about building their futures. We’re so grateful to be working with partners like Amazon Future Engineer and Gallup that are as dedicated as we are to getting teachers the tools they need!

Take your students on a Career Tour today

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When classrooms celebrate world cultures as part of an affirming and expansive learning environment for students, young children are more able to develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. 

Lunar New Year is one of the world's most vibrant holidays centered around good fortune, lucky foods, and togetherness. This year, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Celebrated by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, this colorful and rich holiday provides a great opportunity for teachers looking to bring other cultures into the classroom. For the third year in a row, we’re partnering with Panda Express, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., for our Lunar New Year partnership, doubling donations to related projects and sharing a free Lunar New Year curriculum.

Starting today, December 18, Panda invites you to create a project to help students learn about and celebrate Lunar New Year for doubled donations.

Create a project

Panda Express’ Let’s Explore! Lunar New Year Program

In addition to doubling donations, Panda Express is sharing its “Let’s Explore!: Lunar New Year” program, a fun, free and educational resource for educators who are looking for ideas to bring Lunar New Year to life in their classrooms. 

The curriculum includes eight interactive activities that explore the rich traditions of Lunar New Year, like the meaning behind lucky foods eaten during the 15-day long celebration, the symbolism of lucky red envelopes, the importance of zodiac animals, and more. 

In addition to the digital curriculum, you’ll be sent a physical activity booklet that includes matching games, coloring templates, trivia, and step-by-step directions on how to make a Chinese Lantern and more, while supplies last. We encourage you to sign up for this limited-time interactive program! 

Learn more and sign up

Lunar New Year Project Inspiration

Looking for inspiration to take your classroom celebration to the next level? We want to share a few of our favorite Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda last year!

Mrs. Martes requested paper lanterns, dragon decorations, and books to help her students learn about Lunar New Year as part of a school-wide emphasis on celebrating culture.

“I am a firm believer that students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life.”

Mrs. Goo requested what she needed for read aloud stories and crafts with her first graders.

“My students are very inquisitive and always have questions to ask. Celebrating Lunar New Year is important to our classroom family.”

Ms. Jimenez brings her own culture into the classroom by teaching her students about Chinese holidays, especially Lunar New Year.

“This project is very important to me, and sharing the Lunar New Year books, decorations, and Chinese foods from Panda Express will bring a new experience to my students. We will learn about the Lunar New Year using the Panda Express curriculum along with eating foods from their restaurant.”

Want a few more ideas? Check out all the Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda Express last year!

We hope you’ll join us in deepening cultural education for today’s youth and acknowledging the cultural significance of one of the world’s most celebrated holidays! Create your project.

There are few writers who have made students laugh and enjoy reading more than Mo Willems. When you mention one of his instant classics like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Knuffle Bunny, or the Elephant and Piggie series to a student, their eyes light up without fail.

Mo’s storytelling chops and distinct art style have made him a household name in homes — and classrooms! — everywhere. But through his work with his wife Cher and their commitment to literacy, that impact goes even further. To the delight of public school teachers everywhere, part of that vital work includes supporting students through DonorsChoose.‍

Hear from Mo and Cher Willems about the books they love and why literacy means so much to them.

What book most changed how you see the world?
Mo: The George and Martha books by James Marshall showed me that you can remain friends even if you pour pea soup in their shoes.  Also, gold teeth are kind of cool.

What first inspired your love of literacy and reading?
Cher: As a kid, I loved getting lost in stories and would check out a sack of books every week.  I loved looking at the date stamps in the back of the book and feeling connected to all the other readers who had previously read the same words I was reading.  We no longer have those date stamps- but I still have the same feeling of being connected to the community of people around the world who have read the same book as me.  It's an awesome thought.

What advice would you give to students (or adults) who cannot seem to find the right book to read?
Mo: Go to the library!  Keep looking!  Ask a librarian!  And if all that fails, write and draw the book you want to see.  I’m sure someone else is waiting to read a book just like that.

Do you have a favorite library memory?
Cher: When I was young, I was a voracious reader and small for my age.  I remember the day I had grown just tall enough and was able to see the books on the upper library shelves because that was the day I discovered more books by a favorite author I loved on the shelf above!  What a great day!

Why are both of you committed to expanding literacy through organizations like DonorsChoose?
Cher: Books allow all kinds of people to immerse themselves in a story or a subject at the right pace for them.  We all need a refuge from time to time.  DonorsChoose helps us make that more possible, for more people.

Mo: If we expect students to do their very best, we need to provide them with the best tools.  Philanthropy is a poor substitute for policy, but we want teachers and students to know we’re cheering them on as best we can.

And the all important half question, finish this sentence: Books are…
Friends! 

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DonorsChoose was founded by a public school teacher in 2000 with one simple idea: If teachers had an easy way to share what their students need, people would want to help. Since then, teachers in 89% of America’s public schools have requested items through DonorsChoose, and people across the country have helped bring over $1.7 billion in supplies to their classrooms. 

For teachers, there are two ways to request supplies through DonorsChoose.

• Classroom projects offer maximum flexibility, often bringing out teachers’ dreams for their students. Teachers can shop for whatever supplies they need — from microscopes to tablets to musical instruments — from a bunch of different vendors. The teacher writes a few sentences about their students, and donors jump in to fund the project. When the full project is funded, our team has the materials shipped right to the classroom.
  See example projects

• Lists for classroom essentials allow teachers to create a quick list for basic classroom items, without any writing, project submission, or minimum costs. Once a list has been published, donors can donate to support a teacher’s list. When teachers receive enough funding for any one item, they can immediately submit an order for that specific item, and it's shipped right to you. 
  ‍See example lists

Still not sure which is the right choice for you right now? Take our quiz to find which type of request is best for your classroom needs!

Do you just need basic supplies?‍

YES, I just need basic supplies like pencils, paper, tissues, and wipes.
Create a list for essentials. Instead of dropping by the store on your way home to pick up those everyday items your classroom can’t live without, let donors fund your shopping list and we’ll send the materials directly 

NO, I need other items like books, seat cushions, paint brushes, gardening supplies, and more. 
Create a project to get the exact materials you’re envisioning for your students. If you need reading material, technology, classroom furniture, or subject-specific items — projects are for you! (And don’t worry, you can add basic supplies to your project, too; projects are all about flexibility!) 

Do you prefer specific brands? 

YES, I need specific brands!
Create a project. You’ll be able to shop all the DonorsChoose vendors at once: AKJ Education, Amazon, Best Buy Education, Blick Art Materials, Lakeshore, LEGO Education, Scholastic Classroom Magazines & Book Clubs, and many, many more.

NO, I just need the basics, no matter what brand they are.
Create a list for essentials. You can get a quick shipment of pencils, crayons, bandages, disinfecting wipes, or other basic items.

Do you want funding help from our partners?

YES, I would like to take advantage of partner funding if it becomes available.
Create a project. Throughout the year, our corporation and foundation partners match donations to projects. Sometimes they’ll jump in to help projects from a certain area of the country (i.e. neighborhoods, regions, and states). Other times, a partner will want to support requests for certain supplies or subject area (think: books, STEM supplies, requests supporting special needs students). And in really special moments each year, a partner will match donations to every single project on the site. If you’d like your request to be open to these opportunities, a project is for you!

No; partner support would be nice, but it’s more important to me to get each individual item as it’s funded.
Create a list for essentials. No waiting for a full project to be funded — your items can be on their way as soon as a donor funds the first one!

Studies now prove what teachers have known for decades: learning gamification can boost motivation, enhance memory recall, and improve student performance. Weaving together fun with hands-on learning helps students feel empowered, retain information, and accomplish their goals in and outside the classroom. 

But bringing new education technology into classrooms is nowhere near as easy as 1-2-3. Introducing tools to entire school districts can mean navigating complex, slow-moving contracting and procurement processes. Beyond that, teachers are already strapped for time, and student privacy considerations mean that getting their feedback — an essential piece in launching any technology product — can be daunting.

So how can a company overcome those feedback challenges to bring new products into classrooms that create lasting, impactful change? Together, BUILD.org and DonorsChoose took a grassroots, teacher-centric approach to this question, and it paid off — big time. 

Understanding the true value of frontline wisdom  

BUILD.org is dedicated to empowering kids in under-resourced communities with the career skills, entrepreneurial mindset, opportunities, and connections they need to achieve economic power and freedom. Their newest offering, FamBiz, is a CEO simulation game for 7th-12th graders that transforms entrepreneurship skill-building into a gamified adventure. As students play, they shape their own entrepreneurial journey by navigating critical choices in team dynamics, product development, consumer research, and more. Made free and accessible to all thanks to a partnership under Comcast NBCUniversal’s Project UP Initiative, FamBiz has the potential to inspire students’ entrepreneurship, leadership, and grit.

DonorsChoose shares BUILD’s mission of student empowerment. In the 2023-24 school year, nearly a quarter of a million teachers used DonorsChoose to request what their students needed, and since our founding in 2000, 89% of US public schools have at least one teacher who’s requested materials through our site. By connecting teachers and classrooms in need with a community of over 6 million donors and sponsors, DonorsChoose proves every day that we won’t stop until every student has what they need to succeed.

A grassroots approach to product adoption

Both BUILD.org and DonorsChoose understand that teachers are the key to any meaningful change in the classroom. They’re excellent word-of-mouth marketers — teachers trust each others’ recommendations above everything else. BUILD.org knew that if they wanted to encourage long-term adoption of FamBiz, they’d need to engage teachers and get their direct feedback to make that happen. BUILD.org also recognized DonorsChoose’s reputation with teachers and district leaders alike — if DonorsChoose recommended FamBiz, teachers would be excited to try it out. 

BUILD.org began by tapping into DonorsChoose’s active and engaged audience of innovative teachers. As an incentive and thank-you, participating teachers would receive a $300 DonorsChoose gift card, provided by Comcast, that they could use to stock their classrooms. 

With just one email, DonorsChoose inspired 888 teachers to sign up for FamBiz in advance of the launch.

Leveraging feedback to create lasting change

Building on that success, BUILD.org then leveraged DonorsChoose’s robust feedback mechanisms to iterate and improve their product for future users. 

BUILD.org tapped into three feedback streams: Teachers wrote questions to DonorsChoose Customer Support. Upon receiving their questions, our team identified trends to share back with BUILD.org, leading to informed improvements in user experience.

1. After leading their students through FamBiz, teachers reported their experience and the tool’s impact on their students to DonorsChoose via a survey.
2. Integrated student reflections and end-of-experience student surveys provided immediate feedback on student learning and student engagement.

In return, not only did the BUILD team receive crucial user feedback on FamBiz, but teachers used their DonorsChoose gift cards to bring learning materials to students in hundreds of classrooms. A new learning tool crossed the daunting bridge of receiving classroom input, and teachers received the help they needed.

We’re totally blown away by what can be accomplished when we let teacher wisdom guide product development and roll-out. The partnership between DonorsChoose, BUILD.org, and Comcast highlights that when we listen to teachers about what classrooms need, we can help be a part of a brighter future for all students. We’re so grateful to our partners at BUILD.org and Comcast for putting their community values into practice to create lasting change!

Visit our Partner Center to learn how you can work with DonorsChoose to achieve your organization’s goals.

Ms. Willis, a high school teacher in Starkville, Mississippi, will tell you that representation in books matters:

“Many of my students have never been able to make a personal connection with a book. One student told me that he'd never seen a mixed race person in a book and that he didn't believe that anyone had ever written about people like him.

Another student said she had never read a book with a black female as the main character unless the person was a slave or a civil rights activist, no one just doing everyday things. Everyone deserves to look into a book and see their own reflection.”

“Representative Resources” is teacher-speak for what kids innately want in the books on their classroom shelves — a book they can relate to.

Mrs. Swigut’s 4th graders in Sommerville, Massachusetts explains:

"[We want] to get more books of identities that we don't see enough. This includes LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people from other countries, and people of different races. We are requesting diverse books because we don’t want kids who, for example, are in a wheelchair to feel like there’s nobody they can relate to. We want kids to see people like them, but also we want people to see that everybody is not the same. [We want] to get people to know there's a bigger world out there." — Corrina

"If you don't see yourself in books, you might feel invisible." — Isaac

We asked students of all ages about the books that changed their lives. Here are the Authors, Books, and Characters that inspired them.

A: What AUTHOR fueled your ASPIRATIONS?

Lauren, 8th Grade
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
“I like Erika Sanchez’s story I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter because I know what it’s like to grow up in a culture that’s different to the one my parents grew up in.”

Hannah, 11th Grade
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
‍“I really enjoyed reading Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, because learning about the challenges he faced in his life gives me ideas of how to handle challenges in mine.”

B: What BOOK helped you BE YOURSELF?

JJ, 4th Grade
Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
“I like Abdul’s Story because Abdul makes mistakes like I do. I like that he learns from his mistakes.”  

Ally, 8th Grade
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
“I like Fish In A Tree because it talks about the experience of dyslexia.”

Pearl, 8th Grade 
El Deafo by Cece Bell
“A book where I felt seen and understood was El Deafo because it shows someone wearing a medical device, and I wear one too.”

C: What CHARACTER helped you feel CONFIDENT?

Guadalupe, 12th Grade
Nuestro mundo: Level 3 Spanish Short Story Collection by Dirk Esterline
“Emilia inspired me to stay true to myself as she showed her passion. I love the story because I am a native Spanish speaker and this book is written in Spanish.  I was able to share my culture with my classmates when we read this story.”

Miluna, 1st Grade
Selena by Silvia Lopez
“I like books that show me what I can be when I grow up!”

Noble, 2nd Grade 
Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr
“I love Weirdo because it shows Tony finding his community.”