Tips for DonorsChoose Projects:

1.      DonorsChoose Welcome Week starts on Saturday, August 31st and runs until September 6th. All never before funded teachers who post a project during this time will get a $50 donation! And all donations will be doubled that week!! It will be a great way to get a project funded quickly!

Here are my tips for a great DonorsChoose project:

y Try to keep projects between $200 and $300 total.  They are much more likely to get funded.  

a.     I did a project for several sets of books in a series that funded quickly. I ended up copying the project exactly just changing the books in Part 2 and Part 3 (all funded).

b.       You can create more than one project at a time. (Up to 10!)

c.       If you have already created a big project, you can take your current project and split it up. Instructions are below:

https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/202003193-Editing-or-changing-a-project

2.       Always keep at least one project up because sometimes there is flash funding and a project gets funded from a stranger!

3.       Look for match opportunities. If you look under HELP and FUNDING OPPORTUNITES (https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/categories/360002005694-Funding-Tips-Offers) You'll find current offers.  Some are limited to specific locations. Others have specific subjects or topics.  For example, I just created one for supplies for my classroom store and I'll be getting a 2X match because it's related to Financial Literacy.

.       These matches are currently available for my area

                                                          2X Match for sports/fitness

                                                         2X Match for Compassion projects

                                                          2X match Quill (Order from Quill exclusively )       

                                                           2X Match Financial Literacy

                                                           2X match STEM (currently New Mexico, but often available for others)

4.       Share your link on Facebook, NextDoor, Instagram, etc.

But don’t SPAM people!

5.       Remember whatever you receive from
DonorsChoose belongs to the school/district.

 What to ask for?  I have received:

• Basic supplies: pencils, Expo markers, Sharpies, etc.
• Teacher supplies like a laminator and label maker
• Paper supplies including cardstock in just about every color
• Consumables: deodorant, snacks, and socks
• Club supplies--tie dye club!
• Cricut including tools and vinyl
• Books--lots of books
• Special unit project (Renaissance crafts and activities)
• Alternative seating/lap trays
• Headphones and computer mice
• Water bottles for all 5th graders (including stickers and carabiners)
• Dry erase boards and markers
• Fidget toys
• Laptop risers