It's a Match! Successfully Funding DonorsChoose Projects

  DonorsChoose, founded over 20 years ago by Charles Best-a NYC Public School
teacher now turned CEO, has been a fuel source for classroom teachers successfully
funding 85% of projects created since it’s inception in 2000. Multitudes of classroom
projects spanning from flexible seating for your average Joe’s ELA classroom to
replacing an entire high school drum have been fulfilled thanks to the widely-known
crowdfunding source. Teachers and students alike have acquired resources beyond
their wildest dreams thanks to the generosity of community members, family and
friends, and benevolent donors across the globe. Why, just 26 years later, have we
forgotten about this amazing funding source in such a short amount of time?

The easy answer? Out of sight- out of mind.
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Let’s revive an interest in this amazing alternative to spirit nights at your local fast food joint,
loyalty punch cards, and car washes with some exceptional project ideas donors can’t ignore! Teachers work hard, and let’s face it- sometimes spend our own funds on our own classroom needs because our students need us to in order to learn best. The truth is, the community wants to help us do what’s best for our youth but just doesn’t know how. Let’s let them in! Let’s lean in to the generosity of our community locally and globally and be courageous enough to ask for our needs. The key to capturing your audience’s attention? Be authentic and take a proactive approach! Here’s some tips for successfully, and quickly, funding your project!

Time Your Project Launch and Identify Targeted Donors. 

• According to the website, the most successful times to launch your project are back-to-school (Aug–Sept) and holiday season (Nov–Dec) see high donor activity. Avoid launching during very slow giving periods (late June–mid July), unless you have a matching offer.
• Reach out to businesses, investors, and community groups who might take a personal interest in your project.
  

Write a Compelling Story.

• Avoid vague project titles. Instead, take a specific and inspiring approach. Pro Tip: If you’re not good at these, A.I. is!
  
• When writing your project description, lead with “why,” not just “what.” Explain how this project will benefit your students’ learning experience and why it matters TODAY.
• Make it personal. Include specific, real moments from your classroom — e.g., “Last week, we balanced tripods on stacks of books because we didn’t have the right equipment.” Student testimonials are great for this.
  
• Show urgency without making it sound hopeless. Words like “this year,” “right away,” and “before our next unit” inspire donors to act quickly.
  

Keep Your Project Scope Manageable and Obtainable.

• Projects under $500 tend to fund faster (especially for new teachers on the platform).
  
• For larger projects, break them into smaller, themed initiatives so donors can see progress and feel their impact.
  

Leverage Your Network Early. 

• DonorsChoose boosts projects that get early momentum. Put aside some time to really devote yourself to fundraising in the first week. Prepare promotional materials ahead of time!
• Know your audience before you begin! Share personally with friends, family, and colleagues in the first 48 hours -small donations build momentum to help your project get noticed by others.
  

Use Social Media Strategically. 

• Build the hype! Post updates on Facebook, Instagram, or local community groups —photos of your students (with permission). Enthusiasm and excitement build interest and investment!
  
• Always include the direct DonorsChoose link and a short, heartfelt caption. Use attention getters such as music and emojis to pump up your posts and add interesting elements to emails and text threads.
  
• Tag people and groups who might share it (local news outlets, community leaders, alumni pages, etc...)

Keep Donors Updated. 

• Post thank-you notes, photos, and updates throughout the funding process to keep supporters invested. Even if the project isn’t fully funded yet, this keeps it alive in donors’ and potential donors’ minds. Copy this practice in your personal community on social media and school social media outlets (if allowed).
  
• After funding, show your appreciation with a “look what you made possible!” update on social media, and an email, text, or letter to donors to keep supporters invested for future projects. Bonus points if you include photos of your students with the funded supplies!
  

Watch for Match Offers. 

• DonorsChoose often partners with companies that match donations for certain subjects, locations, or types of resources. See https://www.donorschoose.org/match-offers for daily match offers!

Just like any other funding platform, there’s a science to it! The great thing about science is
there’s a method to the madness. These helpful tips are proven to help you develop your own
method for successful fundraising on the DonorsChoose platform. With the right timing, story, and strategy, your DonorsChoose project won’t just get funded—it will inspire a wave of
generosity that transforms your classroom dreams into reality.

Author

With 16 years of experience teaching Visual Art, Photography, and Yearbook Advisement, Mckensie Shetley's focus is geared towards innovating arts programs to be sustainable, career-focused, and student-driven. As a teacher, wife, mother, and wearer of many hats, her career goal is to make students believers in careers within the Visual and Performing Arts and to prepare them for such paths. Bachelors of Art Education (USC Upstate), M. Ed. of Instructional Design (WGU)