Thalia Theodore, Northeast Deputy Director

AGENDA 7:00 – 7:05 Overview – Mission & Impact 7:05 – 7:15 How the Process Works 7:15 – 7:30Creative Project Ideas & Resources 7:30 – 7:40 Tips & Advice 7:40 – 7:45Q & A

Special Give-Away for STAR Educators! $250 DonorsChoose.org Giving Card

Mission & Model Mission: Improve Public Education  Address scarcity of learning materials & experiences  Link innovative teachers to interested funders Model: Two Key Elements  Teacher Directed: every teacher a change-maker  Citizen Philanthropy: every person a philanthropist We treat a $100 donation like a million bucks!

National Impact to Date As of May 2008 $22 million in resources 1.2 million students benefiting 52,000 projects funded! 43% classroom supplies 26% books 19% technology 8 % other resources 3 % field trips 1 % class visitors

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes online proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes a proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org screens each proposal before it goes onto our site. Individuals can then search through teachers’ proposals by topic, region, and price.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes a proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org screens each proposal before it goes onto our site. Individuals can then search through teachers’ proposals by topic, region, and price.  Individuals learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the proposal they find most compelling.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes a proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org screens each proposal before it goes onto our site. Individuals can then search through teachers’ proposals by topic, region, and price.  Individuals learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the proposal they find most compelling.  Donors Choose buys the materials, and ships them directly to the classroom along with a disposable camera.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes a proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org screens each proposal before it goes onto our site. Individuals can then search through teachers’ proposals by topic, region, and price.  Individuals learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the proposal they find most compelling.  Students learn!  Donors Choose buys the materials, and ships them directly to the classroom along with a disposable camera.

The DonorsChoose.org Model  A public school teacher has an idea for a classroom project that requires supplies and materials for students.  The teacher writes a proposal, detailing how the materials will be used by students, and submits it to DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org screens each proposal before it goes onto our site. Individuals can then search through teachers’ proposals by topic, region, and price.  Individuals learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the proposal they find most compelling. Thanks!  Students learn!  Every donor gets a “feedback package” in the mail with pictures and letters from students.  Donors Choose buys the materials, and ships them directly to the classroom along with a disposable camera.

Sample Feedback from Students

Who Can Apply? YES: Full-time, front-line educators  Teachers  Librarians  Coaches  Counselors NO: All others  Administrators & School leaders  Teaching assistants & Parent coordinators  Staff developers  Substitute teachers

What Can Teachers Request? YES: Projects directly benefiting students NO: Projects indirectly benefiting students Projects that discriminate or proselytize

Example #1: Equipment and Videos to Prepare Scientists for the Next Level This teacher is requesting 10 high-sensitivity lab thermometers and 1 Discovery Channel school physical science video collection to take lab sciences to the next level.

Example #2: Digital Camera to Boost Community Connections This teacher is requesting 1 digital camera to take photographs of family members, community leaders, neighborhood sites and school events as a means of engaging students in their community environment.

Example #3: Elmo Document Presenter to Make Science Findings Presentable! This teacher is requesting an ELMO Visual Presenter to enable her science students to present their findings to their peers in an engaging way… making science presentation based!

Example #4: Outfitting the Computer Lab for Auditory Learning This teacher is requesting sturdy headphones with volume control so that every student can benefit from auditory lessons in the computer lab.

Example #5: GPS Units for Interactive, Geographic Treasure Hunting This teacher is requesting 8 GPS Receivers to hunt for treasure, and make geography interactive!

Over 35 Express Vendors to Choose From … Here are a Few: Best Buy Lab Safety Supply Quill Corporation Teacher's School Supply Carolina Biological Supply ABC School Supply Barnes and Noble Frey Scientific Nasco Office Depot School Specialty Lakeshore Learning

Step 1: Craft a short, catchy title Step 2: Shop online for materials Step 3: Write a short, engaging essay Step 4: Submit! Submitting a Proposal – 4 Steps

Tips on Writing a Winning Proposal The click factor. Creative titles catch donors’ attention & increase the “click factor.” Inform, but don't overwhelm. Be concise & avoid academic jargon. Be real, but keep it upbeat. Describe reality of the need but focus on opportunities instead of shortcomings. Be compelling. Use vivid language to create a picture of your classroom & students in donor’s mind. Help us see the learning! Picture it with me. Upload a profile picture of you & your students. Start small. Keep first project under $400. Increases funding success, and helps you build up points.

How Can I Help My Proposal Get Funded? your friends and family  Use “Tell a friend” function available in your account  Use “Gift Registry” to create birthday, wedding, holiday registry  friends & family the direct link to your project Link to your proposal  Advertise! Link to your proposal on school website, on your blog, in your signature, Facebook, MySpace, or LinkedIn pages Don’t keep it a secret!  Tell your students’ parents, local businesses, the PTA  All donations are tax-deductible

Frequently Asked Questions Q: How long before a proposal is funded? A: Cannot say for sure. Individuals decide what to fund, not DonorsChoose.org Historically  Under $400: many funded in 3 months  $400 - $1,000: many funded in 5 months  $1K - $5K: less than half funded within 5 months  $Over $5,000: rarely funded 60% success rate nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can teachers request field trips and/or visitors? A: Yes, but must use the point system. Point System  Start with 3 points  Spend points by submitting, earn points by completing  6 points = Field trip or visitor  6 points = Special request for materials not supplied by vendors

Questions?