The future of local school philanthropy

Rotary is known worldwide for group funding and club support, with members financially helping and volunteering accordingly, but sometimes it’s easier to simply contribute money and do it directly to a cause or project.

In this instance, the solicitation at the meeting was to help improve the Meadow Lakes Elementary School special education arts program. Primary resources instructor Lacy Cheatwood requested financial support for her students through an online website called DonorsChoose.org, which allows public school teachers to post classroom project requests.

The very thought of easy, direct and project/school-specific donations sold me. I went to the website and it was impressive.

Founded in 2000 by Charles Best, a history teacher in New York City at a Bronx high school, the impetus stemmed from the same challenge the majority of school teachers in America face: lacking adequate supplies and subject-specific books for a comprehensive curriculum.

Many teachers, like Best, pay for these supplies and books themselves each school year. But he decided a more effective way to generate buying power was to employ the Internet. He had a basic website created and asked colleagues to post 10 projects with a fund request. Secretly, rather than hoping for success, he funded the projects himself. The word spread quickly. Suddenly, the donation portal was viable for local New York City teachers and classrooms had funding.

By 2003, the website’s reputation was such that Oprah Winfrey referenced DonorsChoose.org on her show. The site crashed under a massive volume of online traffic immediately afterwards. Within hours, the site reported more than $250,000 donated. By 2006, the site expanded outside of New York City to public schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas in an effort to support classrooms post-hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Then in 2007, DonorsChoose.org opened its digital doors to the entire United States, and that meant Alaskan faculty could seek funding.

The tangible results of the website’s program are clear, both literally and figuratively. DonorsChoose’s website, under the tab “Impact,” allows anyone to view dollars raised, projects funded, students helped, schools participating and other analytics. What’s even more impressive is that you can actually choose a state and see specific numbers in the same categories. Resource categories are also delineated, so you know if money is being donated for books, technology, classroom supplies, field trips or other resources.

As an owner of a PR and advertising firm that designs websites, I have to admit this is one of the more aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly and comprehensive websites I’ve ever seen or used.

Cheatwood is a special education teacher and in 2010 heard about the program from her mother-in-law, who is a speech and language pathologist in Washington state. She first asked for a carpet for her special needs kids to sit on in the classroom. She needed $350 and reached her goal within a couple months. Sight-word books were another target, and then art supplies, then later interactive-technology. She has successfully posted and promoted eight projects.

When asked why she chose this method to improve her classroom and curriculum, she explained: “As a new teacher in 2010, this was about the easiest, unintimidating, direct way to solicit support for classroom projects. It benefits my students 100 percent. Even better, people can do this online from their home or work. They simply choose the school and project they have an affinity towards. It’s making a very real impact in Alaska classrooms and I’m rewarded to be part of the effort that benefits Meadow Lakes students.”

Cheatwood reminded that although she’s been successful, if a project funding request doesn’t meet the set limit, it’s not funded. Her current project is for more classroom books because of a deficit this school year.

Projects can remain on the site for up to four months. About 70 percent of projects are successfully funded nationally. Once a project reaches its funding goal, DonorsChoose ships the materials to the school. The contributor receives photos of the project taking place, a letter from the teacher, and insight into how every dollar was spent. If someone gives more than $50 they receive hand-written thank-yous from the students if requested.

In a discussion with Catherine Esary, the public information officer for the Mat-Su Borough School District, it was noted that in a collaboration with DonorsChoose.org, Chevron USA launched a “Fuel Your School” program in Mat-Su (and in Anchorage) as of Sept. 9. Chevron will contribute $1 to help fund eligible classroom projects when consumers purchase eight or more gallons of fuel from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 at Chevron stations, up to $150,000. Esary said 35 Mat-Su teachers have submitted projects for gift funding.

Per the latest check on DonorsChoose.org, in Alaska since 2007, 146 schools are participating, 579 projects have been funded, 1,262 people supported Alaska projects, $272,006 was raised and materials were purchased to help 12,101 students.

How refreshing, in the midst of a federal government budgetary shutdown, to watch innovative teachers, private enterprise, and generous citizens stepping up to help fund schools and classrooms. Isn’t that what philanthropy and being part of a community are all about.

Tom Anderson is a radio show host on FOX News Talk’s KOAN 1020 AM and 95.5 FM. He is managing partner at Optima Public Relations.