Reaching Your Goal

Scott Harrison is the Founder and CEO of charity: water.Hi DonorsChoose.org Teacher, I’ve run 5 or 6 campaigns where I ask my friends to donate to the cause I’m passionate about. What I’ve learned might help you, too. The most important thing about requesting donations is actually very simple. Direct email. Three of them to everyone you know. It feels a little uncomfortable, but it’s basically as simple as emailing everyone you know with a personal message that is heartfelt and sounds like you and well, is you. Your first batch of donations will come in which feels great. Then you

Knee-deep in the school year, you realize your students could use more leveled readers. Or perhaps you dream of differentiating instruction with the aid of an iPad. Maybe it’s basic supplies you’re short on. No matter what your classroom needs are, a fully funded DonorsChoose.org teacher project will help you meet them. If you have a project to post but are hesitant about fundraising, check out these three easy-as-pie ideas from teachers who’ve been there: And now, the whipped cream and cherry on top. If this is your first ever DonorsChoose.org project, we’ve got a special code for you to share with your donors. When they use

You know that finding supporters is one of the keys to a successful DonorsChoose.org project. But once you’ve told your friends and family about your classroom request, what else can you do? Here are seven important moments you can use to your advantage as a DonorsChoose.org teacher… and the shareable images to help you do it! Click on any of the images to download. These graphics are perfect for social media and can also be added to emails, flyers, newsletters—anywhere you want to promote your project. While there’s no substitute for a personal ask or thank-you, we hope these images will make a valuable addition

You go above-and-beyond for your students, so posting a DonorsChoose.org project is a natural next step. But how do you make sure your request receives donations? Here are six teacher-tested techniques to advocate for your students, rally supporters, and reach your goal. Email friends and family. When reaching out for support, there’s no substitute for a personalized request. Email has proven to be the #1 tool teachers use to get their DonorsChoose.org projects fully funded. Explain to those you know why your request is important to you and your students, and don’t forget to include the link to your project. (Get more tips about using email

You go above and beyond for your students. That’s why you landed here in the first place. However, getting others excited about your classroom projects can be a challenge, whether you’re time-strapped and nervous or enthusiastic and looking to branch out. Fortunately, there are so many ways to share your DonorsChoose.org projects that you can advocate for your students in a way that works for you. Which tools are a good fit? Answer the flowchart questions, then scroll down to get your strategies.  Graphics: Lynn Overmyer; Text: Emilia MurphyDidn’t find the perfect fit? Pick and choose from the ideas above to

As part of the Teacher Success team here, I’m always looking for new ways to help teachers spread the word about their projects. Recently, I sat down with Eric Vilas-Boas, DonorsChoose.org’s own social media guru, to get some tips about how teachers can use social media to their advantage. Teachers—like everyone else—use social media to connect with each other, but we’ve seen some of our most successful teachers use it to fundraise as well. What do you think makes social media an effective way for teachers to share their DonorsChoose.org projects? One thing that I like about Twitter and Facebook—why

You’re busy. (Okay, okay. For a teacher, that’s probably the understatement of the century.) Regardless, you took the precious time to post a DonorsChoose.org project for your students and now you want to make sure everyone knows how much this matters to you. Whether you fundraise through email, social media, word-of-mouth, or have your own personal success strategy, these four tips will help you make the most of your efforts.   Build on Momentum Most people like to join a party when it’s already hoppin’. When you receive a donation, harness that positive energy by sharing the news and reminding supporters that your project still needs their help. Donors Love Deals Teachers

There are as many ways to get your DonorsChoose.org request funded as there are teachers using the site. We asked six superstar educators in a diverse set of circumstances to share their best advice. Find a technique that’s a good fit for you… or try them all! Ask Parents to Spread the WordMichelle Ramos Looking for a good tip to help get your project funded? Let me share with you what I do. As soon as my request is live on the site, I send out an email letting my parents know there is a new project posted. I include the link to

Additional research by Claire Sampson Not sure how to get your new project funded? Have an older request that needs a boost? When your project receives a few initial donations, it increases the likelihood that donors you’ve never met will find and support your classroom. Here’s everything you need to know to get your project off the ground. Presenting… the 60-Minute Project Power-Up! Your #1 Tool (30 Minutes) “If there’s people you think would be interested in donating, just send them an email,” says Ohio teacher Lisa Frank. Many of our most successful users agree: Nothing beats a personalized ask. Take 30

Your family has already supported your latest DonorsChoose.org project. Or maybe your best friend donated to your last three requests, and you feel funny asking her again. Or perhaps your loved ones and those of your students aren’t able to pitch in, even though they might want to. All of this leads to a question we hear a lot here at DonorsChoose.org: “I’ve already asked close friends and family for help with my project, and it’s not funded yet. What do I do now?” Here are a few teacher-tested methods to reach your project goal: Keep more folks in the