I don’t know who needs to hear this but: stop digging into YOUR pockets and leaving chunks of YOUR paycheck in the classroom! I’m serious. Don’t you know there are good people and businesses in this world willing, wanting, and wealthy enough to support your endeavors in the public education setting? No, really. Where do you find these generous people, you ask? Donors Choose, of course!
If you’ve never created a Donors Choose project before, this blog post is definitely for you. I’m walking you through how to get started with Donors Choose:
1. Start by creating a free account. It’s really easy and takes maybe 5 minutes at most. You’ll have to confirm your email to access the classroom funding page.
2. Daydream what your classroom really needs. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you absolutely desire for your students? Once you have a solid idea, log into your account and click “create a project.” From there, you’ll pretty much follow the Donors Choose prompts. Because the website was created by teachers for teachers, it is super user-friendly!
3. From there, you’ll shop for project items. It’s similar to your typical online shopping experience. You will be directed to an approved list of vendors that Donors Choose partners with.. places like Amazon, Best Buy, Lakeshore, and School Speciality, among others. Browse the individual websites for the resources you are requesting and click that favorite little button we all know and love: “add to cart.” PROTIP: Compare prices among the different vendors to get the most bang for your (or rather, someone else’s) buck! For more tips and tricks, check out my other post on getting projects fully funded faster.
4. When you are done shopping, you will be directed to write your project essay. Trust me, it’s waaaaay less intimidating than it sounds! This portion of your project tells donors about your students and requests. Time to shine, baby! This is your chance to give potential supporters a snapshot into your classroom and heart. Explain why you need the materials you’re requesting. Be genuine and thorough. Nitty-gritty details will help sell your proposal and leave a lasting impression!
5. Once you submit your project, that’s when the real work begins. Share your project page within your social networks. Getting the word out is crucial! Even if your friends and family can’t financially contribute, they CAN get involved by sharing your post, giving your project plenty of exposure and the potential to cross paths with willing donors.
ACTIONABLE STEP: Start your own project! If you need help getting started with Donors Choose, donโt be shy; say hi! Let me know how it goes.
