I first learned about Donors Choose last year while I was working with the folks at Osh Kosh B’Gosh. They generously donated thousands of dollars to classroom programs of all kinds, all over the country, helping out teachers who wanted to do MORE for their students.
Then THIS.
Last week, it was STAPLES turn. They did something awesome with Donors Choose for students and teachers right here in Boston.
Staples made a bold move and funded 214 local classrooms in the Boston area as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), that is stirring up funding in support of students, teachers and schools, creating an excitement about learning across the country. It’s all about student-powered, teacher-led learning.
Teachers can go to DonorsChoose.org and create a crowd-funding campaign based on their classroom needs. It may be school supply based, technology based, or event based. Teachers just need to set up a profile at DonorsChoose.org and describe their needs to the public. After that, businesses and individuals can choose to support a classroom of their choosing! How AWESOME is that?
For all my teacher friends out there, I would strongly suggest jumping on to DonorsChoose.org to start a project that would benefit your students. You have no idea when something like this amazing donation from Staples and Think It Up™ is going to happen. Your great ideas might just be heard sooner than you think and your students’ dreams will come true.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly at the Staples “Think It Up” press announcement held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the W Boston Hotel. Staples announced today that it funded 214 local classroom projects in the Greater Boston area, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to ÒThink it UpÓ, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation in partnership with DonorsChoose.org. (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Invision for Staples/AP Images)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (right) and Kirk Saville, VP, Global Communications for Staples at the Staples “Think It Up” press announcement held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the W Boston Hotel. Staples continued its commitment to education by flash funding 214 local classroom projects in the Greater Boston area, as part of its pledge to ÒThink it UpÓ, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation in partnership with DonorsChoose.org. (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Invision for Staples/AP Images)
Red Sox Pitcher and Think It Up ambassador Joe Kelly attended the announcement in support of Boston’s students and teachers. “It’s great knowing this generous donation will help make meaningful learning projects happen in classrooms throughout the Boston area, thanks to Think It Up, DonorsChoose.org, and Staples’ commitment to supporting students,” Kelly said.
Teacher friends, get on it. Get a project funded. Improve your classroom library, take the kids on a field trip, order up some iPads – whatever your classroom dream is, get it going on Donors Choose. You just NEVER know! This is crowd funding at its finest! Kudos to Staples, Think it Up™ and Donors Choose!
Disclosure: I received a Staples gift card for sharing this initiative. All opinions are my own.
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