What DonorsChoose.org projects have been completed in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in the past year (July 2014-June 2015)?
Quick Stats:
Projects completed: 105 (NC Total: 354)
Funds raised: $73,600 (NC Total: $2,969,241)
Examples of Recently Funded Projects in WSFCS:
1.) iPad for Special Education Classroom: 12 Donors; $677 raised.
2.) Large Print Books for Visually Impaired Students: 6 Donors; $549 raised.
3.) Exercise Balls for refocusing students: 2 Donors; $577 raised
4.) Library Set of 50 Volume Encyclopedia Britannica: 3 Donors; $590
Recent Trends in Projects Completed in WSFCS (updated 6/24/15):
(data located using Donors Choose information databases)
(additional statistics for NC can be found here at Donorschoose.org)
What makes for a successful DonorsChoose.org project in Forsyth County?
Research of recently completed projects in the county shows that the most successful projects do not simply tell potential donors what they are seeking. Rather, these educators seem to lay out their needs in a common formula. Recent completed projects have always included four things: (1) a description of the students that will be impacted by the completed goal; (2) a brief, yet in-depth description of what it is teachers are seeking and how it works; (3) how each student and teacher in the classroom will be impacted by the purchase; and (4) a complete summary of the overall project. Potential donors seem to take comfort in knowing as much as possible about what they are contributing their money, the lasting impact of the project, and why it is important for students. As the most successful projects demonstrate, the amount of money, donors, and item(s) being sought are diverse, yet the fundraisers explicitly lay out the four elements listed above.
What materials do WSFCS teachers already have?
Teachers in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) are allowed four visits per school year (once per quarter) to the WSFCS Educator Warehouse, a facility where teachers can “shop” among new and gently-used items donated for their classrooms. Donations come from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, and the inventory tends to fluctuate. Each teacher is allowed to receive up to 25 points of merchandise per visit and the majority of items are below 5 points. Depending on what the teacher chooses, the estimated retail value of what s/he gets each quarter estimates at a value of $50 to $200.
There are valuable resources available to teachers through the Educator Warehouse. There are, however, some limitations to this system. The warehouse manager has limited control over what supplies are available, so teachers are not guaranteed particular items. Teachers also have to schedule their visits many weeks in advance and may not know what resources will be available the day of his or her appointment to shop. Instructional materials are often geared more toward elementary school teachers. Available items range from classroom and office supplies to various instructional materials.
There are valuable resources available to teachers through the Educator Warehouse. There are, however, some limitations to this system. The warehouse manager has limited control over what supplies are available, so teachers are not guaranteed particular items. Teachers also have to schedule their visits many weeks in advance and may not know what resources will be available the day of his or her appointment to shop. Instructional materials are often geared more toward elementary school teachers. Available items range from classroom and office supplies to various instructional materials.