DonorsChoose lets public school teachers crowdfund the materials their classrooms need. You pick items from its vendor catalog, explain what your students will do with them, and donors fund the request. When a project is fully funded, DonorsChoose buys the materials and ships them to your school. It's free for teachers, and there's no application deadline.
How it works
- Sign up as a teacher at an eligible school.
- Build a project from the DonorsChoose catalog, which draws on 20+ stores such as Amazon, Lakeshore and Staples, and write a short description of what students will do.
- DonorsChoose reviews the project, usually within about three days, and posts it.
- Share it with families and your community. Projects stay live for up to four months.
- Once it's fully funded, DonorsChoose orders the items and ships them to your school, usually within about two weeks.
Who can use DonorsChoose
Teachers at public schools, public charter schools and Head Start programs who work full time (at least 0.75 FTE) and lead their own lessons. That includes classroom and subject teachers, librarians, counselors, therapists and school nurses.
Administrators, instructional coaches, aides and paraprofessionals, student teachers, substitutes, part-time and after-school staff, and private school teachers can't post projects.
Tips for getting funded
- Look for match offers. Partners match donations dollar for dollar on qualifying projects, so check current matches before you post.
- Tell a specific story. Explain the problem your students will solve and what they'll build, test or investigate.
- Keep the first project small. A focused request is easier for your community to finish.
Funding coding and robotics kits
DonorsChoose only buys from its own vendor catalog, and Forward Education kits aren't in it. To bring the Coding for Good Kit to your classroom, pair DonorsChoose with a grant that funds kits directly:
- Toshiba America Foundation: up to $1,000 for K-5 classrooms and up to $5,000 or more for grades 6-12 STEM projects.
- Rural Tech Fund: $500 to $2,500 in technology for public schools in rural or high-poverty areas, reviewed every 30 to 60 days.
- State and federal funding for AI and computer science, organized by state.
Frequently asked questions
Is DonorsChoose free for teachers?
Yes. Teachers can sign up and post projects at no cost.
Is there a deadline?
No. You can post any time, and each project stays live for up to four months.
Can I request Forward Education kits on DonorsChoose?
No. DonorsChoose buys from its own vendor catalog, and Forward Education kits aren't in it. Use DonorsChoose for items it carries, and fund kits through a grant such as the Toshiba America Foundation or the Rural Tech Fund, or through your school budget.
Can private school teachers use DonorsChoose?
No. DonorsChoose serves teachers at public schools, public charter schools and Head Start programs.
How can Forward Education help?
We can point you to grants that fund kits, align a project to your state's standards, write an official quote for your budget and provide a letter of support. Contact our grant team.
Source: DonorsChoose teacher pages and Help Center, checked November 1, 2026.
