Mission
"DonorsChoose.org engages the public in public schools by giving people a simple, accountable and personal way to address educational inequity. We envision a nation where children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education."
For more information about how DonorsChoose.org works to help classrooms in need, check out their "How it Works" section.
For more information about how DonorsChoose.org works to help classrooms in need, check out their "How it Works" section.
History
- April 2000 - Charles Best was teaching history in the Bronx and spending his own money on school supplies. Best organized a website where he and colleagues could post up to ten projects to receive donations. He anonymously funded the vast majority of those projects, spending ⅔ of his own salary and covering administrative expenses for the fledgling organization. At that time, DonorsChoose.org was available for New York teachers only.
- June 2003 - Oprah Winfrey promoted DonorsChoose.org, and the website crashed due to an influx of donations.
- January 2006 - After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the organization allowed for projects in all public schools in LA, MS, AL, TX.
- September 2007 - DonorsChoose.org began accepting projects from teachers in all 50 states.
- November 2007 - Stephen Colbert joined the DonorsChoose.org Board of Directors.
- December 2010 - DonorsChoose.org becomes self-sustained, supported by an optional 15% donation from every gift
- January 2014 - A new headquarters was built pro bono by Eight Inc.
- August 2014 - Bill and Melinda Gates supported a flash sale, offering 50% off every classroom project.
- May 2015 - Stephen Colbert funds every DonorsChoose.org project in South Carolina.