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One project. All your essentials. Funded by donors.

This back to school season, post a hodgepodge Basics project. (It’s more than allowed, it’s encouraged!) Give your project a snazzy name, then add-to-cart all the essential items that will make your year run more smoothly. 

Through DonorsChoose, your school year prep can be one-stop shopping, funded by the DonorsChoose community.

Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up suggestions from the DonorsChoose Teacher Community on Facebook (thanks, teacher friends!), stellar projects, and 22 years of DonorsChoose back-to-school seasons to bring you the Top 10 Back-to-School Must-haves:

1. Pencils ✏️

A super sharp tip (pencil pun intended) from Ms. McGinley in Chicago:

“My students need pencils to write fabulous stories and persuasive essays. We want to maximize our learning time and use every minute on learning, not pencil sharpening.” – “Pencils to Increase Time on Task!”

Pre-sharpened pencils are a time-saving, inexpensive, and totally necessary item for every subject and grade, making the classic yellow #2 the #1 item on our list.

2. Ziploc bags

Here’s one item from Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Davis-Foxworth’s essentials lists that absolutely makes ours, too:

“We use ziploc bags daily to hold game pieces, left over snacks, paper when a backpack is forgotten at home or even loose teeth that have fallen out!” – “New Supplies for a New Year!”

**For an extra-environmentally friendly alternative, shop DonorsChoose vendors for BPA-free reusable storage bags (they come in gallon, sandwich, and snack sizes just like Ziplocs!) Check out Mrs. Sturgis’s project “Eco Friendly Storage for Individual Student Book Bags” for ideas.

3. Paper 📎

Graph paper. Printer paper. Lined index cards. Unlined index cards. Notebooks. Sketch pads. Drawing paper. Sticky notes. Bigger sticky notes. Rainbow colored sticky notes. Manuscript paper. Butcher paper. College-ruled paper. Construction Paper. Chart paper.

Types of paper are as varied as the ways you and your students use them. Check out:

• Ms. Francis’s project “On Your Mark, Get Set, Create” for artistic ideas
• Mrs. Vince’s project “Let’s Get Creative” for science-y possibilities
• Reading intervention teacher Mrs. Rouslin’s project “It’s the Little Things” for the many ways paper can help improve the written word
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‍4. Batteries & Chargers 🔋

New school year, new technology? Check out your calculators, noise canceling headphones, robotics kits, tablets, and toys for their power source. Then request batteries or back-up chargers to match.

Rechargeable batteries are saving Mr. Farley’s classroom and they can save yours, too:

“If you have ever reached for batteries only to find them dead even though they have been sitting in a charger forever, then you know my pain. I spend way too much on batteries and I still never have enough. These rechargeable batteries and chargers help us to have a constant supply of batteries.” – “Can We Just Have Charged Batteries Already?”

5. Markers 🖊️

From your dry-erase collection to your highlighter assortment, it’s a Proven Law of the Public School Classroom™ that your markers will dry up exactly when you need them most. 

Mrs. Collins and her South Carolina kindergartners know best:

“We have our hands in everything, which means we use a large variety of materials. One of those things, in particular, is markers. We use dry erase markers, highlighters, washable markers…If you can name it we probably do it with our markers.” – “Making Our Mark with Markers”

6. Band-aids and tissues 🤧

Clean and healthy classrooms are happy classrooms! Re-stock your shelves with first-aid basics, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and other cleaning supplies.

Here’s a reminder from Ms. Michalek that these materials can directly impact learning:

“Healthy students are more likely to come to school, be engaged, and gain confidence. If students are at home, or constantly going to the nurse for bandaids and cough drops they are disrupting their learning and the learning of their peers. I am asking for things like bandaids, cough drops, and Kleenex so that kids can stay in good health.” – “Healthy and Happy Students”

7. Stickers 🌟

Motivational incentives (lots of them) will set your year on the right track. And before you skip past this one as being for the “little kids”, take a look at Mrs. Khatadia’s project for her high schoolers…

“Sometimes we all need to be reminded that we are doing a job well done. And who doesn't like an eye-catching sticker to add to a water bottle, Chromebook, or folder?

Quiet student in the back making all the right choices and working hard? Sticker! Squirrly student came to class and got straight to work? Sticker! Classmate helping out another student understand what to do? Sticker! Work turned in on time? Sticker! Help me place emphasis on positivity.” – “Celebrating Success with Stickers”

8. Nutritious snacks 🍎

Nothing sidetracks learning faster than a grumbling stomach. Stocking your classroom with healthy snacks can make the day significantly more successful for all growing students, especially those for whom breakfast at home isn’t readily available.

Mrs. Mailhiot’s students (and probably yours, too?) need to be able to recharge throughout the day:

“Many of my students are hungry throughout the school day and simply eating a snack helps their brains to be more focused on completing these tasks more successfully. My students utilize a work to reward system and love the snacks listed in the cart (applesauce, jello, pudding, oatmeal- and hey, it's nutritious too!).” – “Nutritious Snacks”

9. Folders 📂

Good habits start from Day One. Color-coded, 3-ring, or pocket – folders are a great first step to keeping students organized.

Ms. Favors’ has home communicator folders, daily seatwork folders, and subject area folders…here’s why:

“For the upcoming school year, I want my students to be organized each day with their assignments. I find that when students are organized, the school day seems to flow better." – “Let’s Get Organized”

10. Glue

And finally, the item to make this whole list stick together, glue. Glue sticks, glitter glue, white glue, and a hot glue gun can make all your creative projects come to life this year.

Wondering why your glue supply is always gone? Fifth-grade teacher Ms. Varga has a few ideas…

"We go through glue sticks like candy, I'm not sure if my students are using the glue sticks for our class work, wasting it, or eating it. We do a lot of gluing in 5th grade, even though you wouldn't think that-- we do a lot of project based and hands-on learning. It also helps my students with their dexterity.” – “Glue, Glue, and More Glue”

Back-to-School Bundles

Mix and match the materials listed above (plus any others your classroom needs!) to create a back-to-school bundle, like these teachers:

• Ms. O’s First Classroom!
  Index cards, rubber bands, thank you cards, bubble mailers, pencils, glue sticks, tissues, permanent markers, portable speaker, tape, multi-purpose paper, pens, staples, 3-hole punch, monthly planner, stickers, paper clips, and scissors
  
  
• So Cool Back-to-School
  3-ring binders, crayons, headphone earbuds, dry erase markers, pre-sharpened pencils, colored pencils, mesh zipper pouches, glue sticks
  

• Back to School Basics
  Spiral notebooks, washable markers, 3-ring pencil pouches, #2 pencils, glue, highlighters

• Basic Needs
  Laminating pouches, scissors, notebooks, super sticky big notes, dry erase markers, highlighters, construction paper, permanent markers, binder clips
  

• Supplies for Scholars
  Printer paper, sheet protectors, 2-pocket folders, highlighters, expanding file folders, whiteboard/chalkboard erasers, markers, pre-sharpened #2 pencils, permanent markers

To shop for basics on Donorschoose, create a project and shop at Amazon Business, DonorsChoose Featured Favorites, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Lakeshore, Nasco, School Specialty, Staples, Teachers’ School Supply, and Quill.com

"From bills being introduced to prohibit the teaching of 'The 1619 Project' by Nikole Hannah-Jones to 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison being pulled off shelves, book bans are rising in the United States at unprecedented rates. Over the past two years, most bans are targeting books about the LGBTQ+ experience and race in America.

And the upswing in book bans shows no signs of letting up. This year has already seen a record number of books targeted — 1,651 unique titles from January 2022 through August 2022, according to a new report by the American Library Association. This surpasses 2021’s record of 1,597 banned titles, which had been the highest number of challenges or bans ALA has seen in its more than 20 years of keeping track.

Banning books equates to wanting to control a framework of thinking, whether it’s for certain people or issues or ideas, says Dr. Fedrick Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers. This isn’t fair for young people, and it creates an uneducated populace, which isn’t good for democracy."

To read the full article, go to wordinblack.com.

"As with the start of every school year, teachers put out requests for help with classroom supplies, through Amazon lists, DonorsChoose projects, and other avenues.

Books have been among the top requested items for teachers across the country every year since the 2018/2019 school year, according to an analysis of DonorsChoose data.

And, over the past few years, there’s been a 'major push' for more anti-racism books in classrooms, says Katie Potter, senior literacy manager at Lee & Low Books, a New York City-based publisher that’s been publishing diverse children’s books for the past 30 years. The requests for these books show how Black educators are demonstrating 'anti-racism stories or narratives aren’t always about overcoming trauma and marginalization.'"

Read the full story on wordinblack.com.

We’re deep into the back-to-school season, and teachers are asking the public to help #ClearTheList of school supplies they need for the new year! You’ve probably seen the buzz and wishlists on social — we’ve got the scoop on exactly why companies are getting involved and how they can have the biggest impact.

When teachers post about #ClearTheList, they’re asking the public to help stock their classroom.

Public schools aren’t created equal, and many teachers don’t have the materials they need to bring their creative classroom ideas to life. Teachers spend an average of over $740 a year from their own wallets on classroom supplies. Educators who work with mostly students of color spend a lot more of their own money on classroom materials, indicating access to fewer resources from their schools — compared to schools with mostly White students, teacher-out-of-pocket spending is 31% higher. 

#ClearTheList with DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose was founded in 2000 on the belief that members of the public would be excited to help teachers get the resources they need, if they could see exactly where their money was going. Since then, we’ve connected nearly 750,000 teachers seeking classroom resources with donors across the country.

Companies and foundations have long played a key role by supporting teachers’ requests at scale, and interest in teacher-centric movements like #ClearTheList is only growing. Let’s dive into the three reasons companies are jumping on board.

1. Help Keep Great Teachers Teaching

Right now, schools are facing an historic teacher shortage, and there isn’t always an easy way for the public to help. Luckily, stocking teachers’ classrooms with the resources they request is a proven way to make a difference — a recent study from the University of Michigan showed that when a teacher has one of their requests funded through DonorsChoose, they’re 22% more likely to stay in the classroom.

In the wake of COVID-19, multiple state Departments of Education have partnered with DonorsChoose to fund teacher requests and support teacher retention. In Hawai’i, Salesforce Chair & Co-CEO Marc Benioff and Lynne Benioff launched a public-private partnership with the Hawai’i DOE to expand their impact, clearing 1,960 teachers’ lists.

2. Connect with Customers on a Hyperlocal Level

Public schools are often the heart and soul of a community, and teachers are the glue that keep those communities strong. For companies looking to build close ties with people in their local geography, funding teachers’ requests is an effective and efficient way to do exactly that. Every time a teacher pulls a new book off their shelves or uncaps a new set of dry erase markers, they’re reminded that their favorite local brand believes in their ideas and their students.

Last school year, Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, launched a $3 million campaign matching donations to projects from schools serving students from low-income households near Panda Express's 2,200+ locations. By rallying the public, they were able to clear more than 10,000 classroom requests. 

3. Support a Cause at a National Scale

On any given school day, you can find students diving into marine science, dancing their way through musical theater rehearsal, discussing racial justice, and so much more. No matter what your CSR or philanthropy team is focussed on, you can move the needle by supporting education. Funding related teacher requests has two big benefits: the support immediately gets learning resources into students’ hands, and it plants seeds for everything students can accomplish in the future.

Recognizing the positive impact that team sports has on student achievement, The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation aims to give 2 million kids the chance to play by 2024. Since 2015, DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation has doubled donations to requests for team sports equipment — from basketballs and archery bows, to swim caps and jerseys — bringing visibility and funding to this beloved school experience.

At DonorsChoose, we have 22 years of experience helping teachers stock their classrooms and bring creativity to life. 

Public school teachers use DonorsChoose to request the resources their students need to thrive, and donors give at all levels to bring those projects to life. Unlike other wishlist sites or crowdfunding platforms, we work closely with school district leaders and send resources, not cash, directly to the school. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible, and we’ve received top ratings from charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator and Guidestar. We partner with dozens of companies and foundations every school year to bring learning dreams to life and foster a more just and equitable education system.

Ready to explore how your team can #ClearTheList with DonorsChoose? Connect with us!

Through DonorsChoose, teachers request resources their students need, and donors within their community and across the country give to the requests that inspire them. Since 2021, Panda Cares has donated more than $4 million to teachers through DonorsChoose. Through its commitment to inspire better lives, Panda has helped fund more than 16,000 projects from schools serving students from low-income households near Panda Express’s 2,200+ locations.

In addition to setting students up for success, Panda’s support has created countless moments of joy, learning, and community. Here are a few of our favorite moments from the past two school years of Panda support! 

Panda Express delivered meals to more than 9,000 teachers and school staff in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week 

To celebrate the ways that teachers go above and beyond for their students, Panda went above and beyond for teachers! During Teachers Appreciation Week 2022, Panda Express delivered thousands of meals to public schools near their locations.

Panda brought to life 3,322 Warmth, Care & Hunger projects 

When students have the food and basic necessities they need to feel comfortable, learning can flourish. Panda helped provide essentials like nutritious snacks, deodorant, and warm gloves for the winter. In her project “Comfort Care Kits,” elementary school teacher Mrs. Lloyd shared why these resources are so important.

“Many students are forced to deal with the anxiety that accompanies living without day-to-day necessities, often making school the least of their worries. The comfort kits give students the resources they need to learn and grow, allowing them to devote their energy and attention toward succeeding in school.”

Teachers celebrated on social

Imagine that your favorite restaurant decided to shower you with all the things you need most. For thousands of teachers, that’s exactly what Panda Express did! Teachers flocked to social media to show their gratitude for Panda.

Panda helped fund 2,451 teachers’ first DonorsChoose project

Nothing beats the excitement of getting that very first rocketship email saying that your request for resources has been funded! Panda’s match offer and full project funding made sure thousands of teachers felt the love of our community.

Director of Panda Cares, Winnie Chan, shared what this funding means to Panda 

“Our work together was able to fund a variety of projects that enrich student learning, teacher experiences, and classroom environments in over 44 states. On behalf of all the associates at Panda, we remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities with DonorsChoose that enables us to rally behind better education and resources, because we believe that all children deserve the best education possible regardless of socioeconomic status."

We’re so grateful for all of the learning made possible through Panda’s support!

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Every month, dozens of companies and foundations show their support for public school teachers and students by matching donations to DonorsChoose requests — and it’s one of the easiest ways to secure funding for your classroom!

When a project receives a doubled donation, its chance of success jumps from 85% to 92%.

With back-to-school season in full swing, it's a great time to think about what resources you’d like in your classroom and explore some of the match offers available this September. Check out this Help Center article for more match offers & funding opportunities. 

Currently available, while funding lasts. Updated as of 09/07/22. For the most up-to-date status on our funding opportunities, visit our Help Center.

Community Service Projects: 2X Match Offer From The Allstate Foundation

The Allstate Foundation wants to help you give your students the pride of giving back to their community! While funds last, The Allstate Foundation is offering a 2X match on all qualifying community service projects. Projects like “Say Cheese!” that have students taking photos during events or “We Rise By Lifting Others” are great examples of how students can give back. The offer will apply to new donations as soon as your project is approved and live on the site. To qualify, you must keep your total project goal under $5,000 and select the “Community Service” subject area, under the “Life Skills” header. Learn more about this match offer.

Performing Arts & Music Projects from Equity Focus Schools: 2X Match Offer from Spotify

If you teach grades K-12 at an Equity Focused School, Spotify is looking to support your next generation of young creators with a 2X match offer. Whether your students are music makers, or visual artists, Spotify wants to help you Create a project under $1,000 with the “Performing Arts” or “Music” subject areas and request items like art supplies, musical instruments, educational kits, and lab equipment. Learn more about the performing arts and music match offer.

Team Sports Projects at Equity Focus Schools: 2X Match offer from DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation 

Are you looking for resources for the sports team at your Equity Focused School? The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation is offering a 2X match on projects that support existing teams of eligible sports. Learn more about this match offer and how to qualify. 

Financial Literacy Projects: 2X Match offer from Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab wants to help level the economic playing field for students around the country.  Create a project under $600 requesting financial literacy resources to receive doubled donations. Learn more about this financial literacy match offer.

These are just a few of the match offers we have live this month — make sure to bookmark our funding opportunities and match offers page to stay up to date! 

New to DonorsChoose?

We’re a nonprofit platform that connects public school teachers like you with a thriving community of donors eager to fund your classroom projects. Learn how you can get funding for the exact items your students need to thrive.

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Back-to-school season is in full swing! Teachers are adjusting classroom layouts, planning units and lessons, reconnecting with one another... and submitting DonorsChoose projects for classroom resources. Add these top trending tools to your next project to make sure your students hit the ground running!

Flexible seating: the hype is real

As teachers arrange their rooms for the first day of school, it’s no wonder that flexible seating is a priority. Why is flexible seating so popular? Flexible seating gives students choice in their learning environment, increases focus and engagement, and overall improves student wellbeing. Of all the resource choices available, two stand out as the most popular: Wobble stools and balance balls. Check out example projects from all-stars Ms. Moreno from Washington and Mrs. Moncrief in Texas.

These aren’t your Bronze Age tablets

When it comes to technology, tablets are the most-requested — often because teachers value their mobility and range of uses. Check out Ms. Pratt’s classroom in Florida for a great, basic request, and see how  Mr. Hammer in North Carolina uses tablets when counseling students. Tablets were also Ms. Hjemvick’s choice when she wanted to use tablets to help develop literacy skills of students with disabilities.  The #1 tablet accessory? An Apple Pencil for the iPad.

Basic supplies never go out of style

The basic classroom supplies teachers are asking for most as they go back to school are pencils, glue sticks, and dry-erase markers. Even though these items are necessities, writing about these items in a way that shows donors why these resources are important can be a challenge. Check out these projects from teachers who have cracked that nut: Ms. Alvarado in Florida asked for daily planners so students could organize their learning. Coach Hills in Georgia explained the importance of having classroom supplies for the future leaders in the classroom. 

“My hope is to teach my young geniuses how to be organizational experts.” - Ms. Alvarado

Extra! Extra!

Mrs. Smead in Nevada recently requested a subscription to TIME for Kids, and she’s not alone. News magazine subscriptions for students are very popular these days, and recently TIME for Kids has become the top choice for our teachers. A teacher's subscription of TIME for Kids includes all-inclusive print and digital materials, teacher’s guides and curriculum with each issue, and access to the TIME Vault for 95+ years of historic TIME magazine content.

The DonorsChoose bestseller list

Across the country, classroom libraries are being built and refreshed with new books! Yangsook Choi’s The Name Jar has become an increasingly popular choice. How many of the top 10 have you read?

1. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
2. A Little SPOT of Emotion 8 Book Box Set (Books 1-8) by Diane Alber
3. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson 
4. Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
5. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
6. New Kid by Jerry Craft
7. A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen
8. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
9. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
10. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
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Virtual Field Trips

Okay, so virtual field trips aren’t a specific material resource, but this request category has become so popular on our site that we thought it was definitely worth a shout-out. Over the last couple of years, teachers have gotten really creative with developing fun virtual opportunities for their students. Ms. Laurel from Texas took her students on a virtual trip to Washington, DC and Mr. De La Pena helped students register for a virtual 5K run. 

If you need more inspiration, check out all the classroom requests from your fellow teachers

We love the back-to-school season: It’s a time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and, of course, much-needed classroom supplies. We've been excited about a new series here on the blog: classroom recipes. We’ll share “ingredient lists” of supplies you can order through DonorsChoose, inspired by real classrooms. Let’s see what you can cook up! Inspired by anything you see? Create a new project!

A few quick notes: All of the prices below are approximate and subject to change, depending on vendors and availability. Most of these supplies are available at multiple vendors, including some that might not be listed below. These are also suggestions for individual supplies, not actual bundles, so feel free to mix and match as you please.

Essential Consumables

3 Bottles of Hand Soap = $12
6 Containers of Disinfectant Wipes = $30
1 Carton of 10 Reams of White Paper = $75
2 Giant Packs of  Sticky Notes = $16
5 Packs of Glue Sticks = $30
25 Boxes of #2 Pencils = $180
Electric Pencil Sharpener = $30
Total: $373

Flexible Fun

2 Wobble Chairs = $136
2 Exercise Balls = $60
2 Balance Discs = $60
5 Stools = $90
5 Floor Cushions = $100
Total: $446

An Organized High School

5 Extra-Large Packs of Index Cards = $40
4 Packs of 6 Wirebound Notebooks = $50
25 2-Pocket Folders = $17
20 3-Ring Binders = $80
20 Student Planners = $300
Total: $487

The Perfect Recess

6 Scooters = $200
1 Beginners Basketball Hoop = $120
6 Jump Ropes = $36
1 Playground Ball Set = $50
1 Bubble-making Kit =$33
Total: $439

Where to shop for everything above:
When you create a DonorsChoose project, you’ll have the option to add items from any of our long-list of vendors. Here are vendors that stock many or all of the above items:

Amazon Business, Blick Art Materials, DonorsChoose Featured Favorites, Grainger, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Lakeshore, Nasco, Quill.com, School Specialty, Staples, Teachers' School Supply. 

Of course, with such a variety of vendors, the prices listed here might vary. We encourage you to shop around to get the best deals. And if you have questions about where to find any specific items, check out this guide to commonly requested items. Have recipes of your own? Share them in the comments or tweet them @DonorsChoose.

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Looking for the perfect playlist as fall approaches? Want to get pumped up for the year ahead? Need a new personal walk-up song? Our teachers have you covered. We surveyed our community of public school teachers to find out what songs carry them through the season. 

Slip on those headphones and listen to their recommendations.

The smell of a new book, the crunch of fallen leaves, that fresh box of unbroken crayons — everyone has a favorite sign that the school year is about to begin. Our absolute favorite way to know it’s that time of year? The Back-to-School Boost!

On Tuesday, August 9, every DonorsChoose project received a 50% boost thanks to Bill Gates. Our community came together to give over $7.7M million to classroom projects, supporting more than 29,000 teacher requests in one day.

Teachers, donors, and celebrities flooded social media with excitement and celebration. Feeling like you need a boost in your day? We’ve got you covered! Here are four of our favorite moments from the Back-to-School Boost.

A baseball stadium-worth of donors cheered on teachers by supporting classroom requests

And it was a home run! More than 45,000 members of the public gave, making this one of the biggest days of teacher support since 2019. We’re thrilled to see our community bounce back so strong to help teachers and students thrive.

2,419 teachers had their first-ever project funded

We love welcoming teachers into our community, and we can’t stop cheering for everyone who’s experiencing the generosity of our donors for the first time! 

Celebrities joined in on the excitement

DonorsChoose board members and education advocates Yvette Nicole Brown and W. Kamau Bell built momentum for the day by rallying their fans.

Plus, the internet’s favorite grammatician, Grammar Girl, shouted out her support.

Donors and teachers rallied around the basics

Pencils, laminating sheets, and markers were the most funded resources — in just one day, our donors made sure 1,628 classrooms will be stocked with classroom basics when the first bell rings!

Teachers shared what this funding means to them

On top of providing learning resources to students, funding teachers’ requests also gives a big boost of confidence as educators head into the school year! We love showing teachers that we believe in their wisdom and are investing in the success of their students.

The Back-To-School Boost might be over, but we've still got plenty of ways you can support teachers and make your donation go further! Check out these match offers from our partners to increase your impact!

Here’s to an amazing school year! We can’t wait to see what else our community can accomplish.

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How many of us have heard our brilliant students described as “troubled youth,” or our joy-filled classrooms described as part of “violent inner-city schools”? Hearing this type of language to describe our friends, colleagues, and communities can be painful and beg questions like, “Does the public see me and my students for who we really are?”

There’s a reason this language is so common in both news coverage of our nation’s schools and in school fundraising — conventional wisdom states that to inspire action, you need to paint a devastating and urgent picture for potential supporters. And while this language sometimes opens wallets in the short term, anyone who’s been on the receiving end of that language knows the emotional toll it can take on you and your students’ self-esteem. 

There’s another way! What if we focused on what’s possible for students, instead of what’s lacking? When creating a DonorsChoose project, you have many opportunities to tell the public about your students, from your project essay, to social media posts and emails to friends and family, to your follow-up thank you notes to donors.

By using an approach called asset-framing, we can challenge stereotypes and encourage the public to help students reach their goals and live their dreams.

“Asset framing is defining people by their aspirations and their contributions, then acknowledging the challenges that often extend beyond them, and investing in them for their continued benefit to society.”

—Trabian Shorters | DonorsChoose Board Member & Founding CEO, BMe 

Sound tricky? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here are three tips for integrating asset framing into your fundraising.

1. Start off with what makes your students special. 

When you show your donors the uniqueness of your students, you’ll help them fall in love with your classroom (and be inspired to help it shine even brighter!). This approach is also a sure-fire way to make sure your students and their families will feel proud to be represented in your fundraising messages. Here are a few examples of teachers sharing the uniqueness of their students:

“Developmental kindergarten is such an exciting group of mixed interests, abilities, and goals. Our group loves to play outside, learn new games, and boogie to a sweet tune. In this class, we build a community around what we have in common and our shared experiences.” —Ms. Ellison, Imagine Children's Museum Adventure

“Walk into my classroom and you will find 30 students eager to absorb knowledge and ideas! You will find 30 young readers. You will find 30 young authors! You will find brilliant young minds ready to accomplish great things — looking for knowledge from every source that they can find!” —Ms. Jones, See Yourself in a Book - LGBT Edition!

2. Be specific when describing the challenges your students face.

Asset framing doesn’t mean portraying the world through rose-colored glasses — it’s about giving readers an accurate view of what’s happening in your classroom. Instead of leaning on broad terms like “disadvantaged” or “underserved” to describe your students, hone in on the specific, external circumstances they face. Not only will this avoid potentially stigmatizing language, you’ll paint a clearer picture of how supporting your request will help your students thrive.

“Many students in my classroom come in saying they have difficulty completing practice assignments at home because of lack of supplies and resources. Our school is nestled in the heart of western Maine, which was once surrounded by bustling mills. Now, with many of them closed, our families often struggle to find employment and opportunity.” —Ms. Marshall, iPads and Osmo Bring Learning and Creativity to Life!

“As English language learners, books are so important to my students and are truly valued. Many of my students do not have access to books at home and rely on our school library to check out high-quality books.“ —Ms. Hlousek, The Story Continues: New Series Books for Devoted Readers

3. Connect with donors over shared values.

Remind members of your community that they have shared interests and passions with your students! Maybe you’re requesting watercolors and paint brushes, and you can remind donors of the joy of self-expression. Or maybe your project is about teaching environmental science, and you can relate over our shared responsibility to the planet. You’ll help donors feel even more connected to your classroom, and like your students are real human beings that they have something in common with.

“Curious, enthusiastic, and creative; my students are eager to immerse themselves in any kind of challenge. They are fearless when it comes to technology and, as children of the 21st century, they need to be prepared to use a variety of tools to engage their world.” —Teacher Finley, More Technology Wizards!

“Do you remember getting hooked on a series of books as a child? Think of the anticipation and excitement you felt waiting for and then finally reading the prized next installment in your favorite series. My students share that excitement and joy of waiting for and then finally devouring the newest books in their favorite series.” —Ms. Hlousek, The Story Continues: New Series Books for Devoted Readers

Ready to tell the world about your amazing students? Create a project!

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"Come this new school year, consider taking time to help teachers in underfunded schools meet their students' needs.

Historically, U.S. public education has undergone massive budget cuts, leaving many classrooms without fundamental resources. A 2018 study published by the American Federation of Teachers, a nationally organized union, noted a decrease in teacher's salaries and an increase in teacher-to-student ratios. The National Education Association, a nationwide advocacy network for public education, details a concerning educator pay gap, finding that educators are paid 81 cents on the dollar compared to other professionals with similar experience and credentials.

And yet, the vast majority of teachers still spend their own money on classroom supplies. According to the United States Department of Education, 94% of teachers report paying for school supplies, without reimbursement, in the 2014-2015 school year. The same study calculated teachers spend on average $479 annually of their own money on classrooms, with 15 percent reporting closer to $800 annually."

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