For five years, DonorsChoose, the Hawai'i Department of Education (HIDOE), and renowned philanthropists Marc and Lynne Benioff have shared a common vision: support every public school in Hawai'i and inspire early-career teachers to remain in their profession. Since partnering, $25 million has been invested in supporting budding educators and classroom needs across Hawai'i.
The Challenge: Empower first- and second-year Hawai'i teachers while funding classrooms in every public school statewide
When early-career teachers set up their classrooms, they're often starting from scratch. Always wanting the most for their students, teachers frequently dig into their own pockets to buy the extra materials and resources that will make their classroom feel like a unique, comfortable, and engaging place of learning. That kind of financial strain puts an incredible burden on educators, and that kind of burden can make a teacher leave their profession altogether.
But the Hawai'i Department of Education discovered that when teachers across all career stages begin their years with fully stocked classrooms, they're better able to inspire their students' learning and more likely to stay in the classroom. If HIDOE could find a simple, equitable way to grow the funding pie and get teachers and students all the tools they need from day one, educators would have an easier time staying in the classroom. And with year-round funding available to all teachers, HIDOE could inspire sustained student success statewide.
The Solution: Year-round funding through DonorsChoose, paired with aid from noted philanthropists Marc and Lynne Benioff
DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that gives public school teachers the ability to request resources that will help their students learn, and connects them with supporters eager to bring their ideas to life. Since our founding in 2000, 6.6 million donors have contributed $1.9 billion, bringing nearly 3.5 million teacher requests to life. Our platform is easy to use, and provides an ongoing resource for teachers beyond dedicated campaigns. Our dedication to trust and integrity has consistently earned us top ratings from charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator.
HIDOE partnered with DonorsChoose to launch multiple campaigns, funding teachers’ requests every fall and spring semester. For first- and second-year teachers, an up-to $1,000 donation delivered early in the fall semester allows them to fully stock their classrooms. Teachers were given multiple months to request materials and qualify for this donation, allowing them to assess their new students' needs and adapt accordingly. For all teachers in Hawai'i public schools, fall and spring campaigns also fully funded projects posted by any Hawai'i teacher, up to $750. In the fall and at the end of the year, $1,000 gift codes are awarded to the 15 Teachers of the Year.
Marc and Lynne Benioff matched every dollar given by HIDOE, doubling the impact of state investment, expanding the reach of this campaign, and enabling broader participation with additional support for early-career educators.
The Results: Five years of teacher support and $25M in classroom resource funding statewide
Pairing state education resources with our exceptional crowdfunding platform and philanthropic support has proved to be a winning combination. In five years, our partnership has contributed a total of $36.5 million to the Hawai'i education system, with $25 million coming directly from HIDOE and matched by Marc and Lynne Benioff funding. 50,163 teacher projects have been fulfilled — and we're only just getting started.
With 9,414 teachers on the receiving end of this support and 29,490 classroom projects already funded, strong statewide participation is just one of the outcomes of our alignment. By running a funding campaign every fall and spring semester and adding DonorsChoose to their toolkits, the state is ensuring that teachers begin their careers with fully equipped classrooms, resources are equitably distributed, and teacher retention is supported through early investment. In Hawai'i, educators and students are cared for, from the first day of school to the last.
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