DonorsChoose
Eligibility
US public school teachers, including those in Washington state. Teachers create an account and post project requests directly.
Program Goals
DonorsChoose is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform that connects teachers with individual donors who fund classroom projects. Teachers post requests for materials, kits, books, or experiences. Donors browse and fund projects that interest them. Washington teachers can post STEM, coding, and environmental science project requests at any time.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Teachers register at donorschoose.org, create a project request, and wait for donors to fund it. Projects that describe clear student impact and specific materials tend to fund faster. Some corporate partners run matching campaigns that can accelerate funding.
Cycle Notes
Rolling. No deadline. Teachers can post projects at any time. Projects expire after a set period if not fully funded. Corporate matching campaigns, like those from Samsung or Ripple, can boost funding during specific windows.
Grant Award Amount
Project funding varies based on what donors give. Most classroom projects range from $100 to $1,000, though some reach several thousand dollars through matching campaigns. Teachers receive materials directly from vendors after a project is fully funded.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit - A popular DonorsChoose request item. Teachers describe student coding and robotics goals. Donors fund the kit directly to the classroom.
- Climate Action Kit - Environmental science kits fund well on DonorsChoose, especially when tied to specific student learning stories.
- CHARGE Battery Pack for micro:bit - Accessible accessory item that rounds out a micro:bit classroom set and can be added to an existing project request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DonorsChoose work?
Teachers post a project request describing what they need and why. Individual donors browse requests and contribute money. Once fully funded, DonorsChoose sends the materials to the school.
How long does funding take?
It varies. Projects with compelling stories and specific needs can fund in days. Others take weeks or months. Corporate matching campaigns can speed things up significantly.
Are there corporate partners that match DonorsChoose donations?
Yes. Companies including Samsung, Ripple, and others have run matching campaigns. Check donorschoose.org for current partner promotions.
Can I post a project for coding kits?
Yes. Many Washington teachers have successfully funded coding, robotics, and STEM kits through DonorsChoose.
Does DonorsChoose take a fee?
DonorsChoose takes a small percentage of donations to cover platform costs. The teacher does not receive cash; materials are ordered directly from vendors.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents - Washington standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing - classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support - documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence - ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
Get the Grant Guide
