The other night, Atom and I were invited to an open house at the offices of DonorsChoose.org, a charitable organization that I've donated to before. They help teachers get funding for their classrooms through individual donors, all facilitated through their website. I hadn't funded a project in a while, but was interested to meet some of the staff and teachers, so we headed over. As we chatted with the staff, one thing kept coming up - how mind-boggling it is that some projects even have to exist. For example, there are at least three projects currently in need of funding in NYC that are for basic supplies such as pencils and paper for students. Think about that. Pencils and paper. How screwed up is it that public schools cannot provide such basic supplies to students so that they can learn and succeed?
So, I decided to create a Giving Page at DonorsChoose.org to highlight some of the projects I'd like to see funded. I set it up as part of the "Give-Back Birthdays" campaign going on right now, but I thought I'd mention it early, since my birthday is in August and I've selected some projects that need funding right now. Some of the projects I've selected have matching funds promises from several foundations that partner with DonorsChoose.org, but I'll do them one better - I will personally match the first $2,000 donated through my Giving Page. If a project is fully funded, I will still do the match and apply it to another similar project.
Even if you don't want to fund any of the projects I have chosen, please take a look at DonorsChoose.org and find a project you want to support. You can easily sort by subject, location, and grade level to find projects that speak to you. You don't have to donate a lot - they take small donations as happily as they take large ones - and you'll be helping students get the education they need. Or, set up your own Giving Page and post it here in the comments!
I'll match the first $1,000 donated on your giving page + my employer will match my $1,000. I also posted this on my blog at http://blog.amygeek.com. Education is good.
Posted by: AmyGeek | May 14, 2009 at 03:46 PM