DonorsChoose

What began in a Bronx public high school in 2000 has blossomed into a nationwide movement connecting passionate donors with dedicated public school teachers. Charles Best, then a history teacher, witnessed firsthand the financial hurdles he and his colleagues faced in providing essential materials for their students. He often dipped into his own pocket, as did many educators, for basic supplies, let alone the resources needed for innovative projects. This shared experience in the teachers' lunchroom, discussing the 'if onlys' of classroom funding, sparked a revolutionary idea: a website where teachers could directly post their classroom needs, and individuals could choose specific projects to support. With the help of his students, Charles built the first iteration of DonorsChoose.org right in his classroom, inviting his fellow teachers to be the first to share their requests.

The concept was simple yet powerful: empower teachers and provide transparency for donors. The platform allowed educators to request everything from books and art supplies to technology and field trips. Donors, in turn, could see exactly where their contributions were going and the direct impact they were making. A significant turning point came in 2003 when Oprah Winfrey featured Charles Best and DonorsChoose on her show, highlighting innovative teachers. The exposure, while initially crashing the site, brought in a wave of support, with viewers donating $250,000 to classroom projects. This early success was a testament to the resonance of the mission. Over the years, DonorsChoose expanded its reach, initially to schools in states affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2006, and by 2007, it was open to every public school in the United States. The organization has consistently earned high ratings from charity evaluators for its efficiency and transparency, becoming a trusted bridge between public school classrooms and a generous public eager to foster educational equity and opportunity for students across the country.