.jpg)
Teachers know: you can't figure out your dream job if no one shows you what's out there. Developing career skills in the classroom helps students imagine new realities and carve new paths for their futures, and companies have a unique opportunity to make a big difference in tomorrow's workforce. By empowering employees to support classrooms in communities that matter to them, companies not only invest in a bright future for their families and communities — they also help build up the skills of future employees.
At DonorsChoose, we're grateful to partner every year with companies aiming to do just that. For four years running, Virginia-based ASRC Federal has teamed up with DonorsChoose to run a back-to-school charity campaign in support of their employees’ most cherished communities. In total, ASRC Federal has channeled $100,000 into teachers' projects on DonorsChoose, and they've made it happen by empowering their employees to give back. Here's how they did it.
DonorsChoose delivers learning materials to even the most remote of America’s rural public schools
ASRC Federal has always felt a deep dedication to serving their local communities and the communities close to their employees' hearts. Four years ago, ASRC Federal decided to make it easier for employees to give back to public school teachers and students across the country. They knew they had a chance to meaningfully support the futures of local students, but bringing financial support to the many remote, rural schools spread out across America presented a challenge.
That’s why ASRC Federal began giving select employees a $100 DonorsChoose gift code, which they can use to support a DonorsChoose project that inspires them. Employees are encouraged to support projects from teachers that align with their job and career skills, as well as projects created by any teacher or community with which they are already connected.
Employee donors are also encouraged to leave messages of encouragement after they've donated, as a way of connecting personally with the classrooms they're supporting — and they often do. “The work you do with your students is exemplary. Thank you for preparing the next generation to be well-rounded citizens," says one donor comment on Mrs. Stott’s request for winter gloves.
Once projects are fully funded, DonorsChoose purchases and ships every resource directly to the classroom, eliminating the need for any logistics or shipping coordination from ASRC Federal.
$100,000 in classroom project donations = learning dreams come true
With a total of $100,000 donated to projects supporting public school students over the last four years and an 80% participation rate among gift card recipients as of 2024, the ASRC Federal–DonorsChoose partnership is stronger than ever. Employees feel more connected to their communities and their work, and students are given the support they need to dream up the big futures they deserve. One employee summed up the feeling: “I live in an area of high rural poverty where even $100 can make a big difference in some of our classrooms. I’m proud to work for a company that supports this project.”
Partnering with an organization like ASRC Federal to lift up our local communities is the kind of partnership we dream of at DonorsChoose. Thank you to ASRC Federal, for making a difference in today's classrooms and tomorrow's workforce!
