Donorschoose.org Funds Portland Projects
The Portland Public Schools and Portland Education Partnership are collaborating with a nonprofit Web site, DonorsChoose.org, to help teachers raise money for classroom materials, textbooks and special projects. To date, Portland teachers have submitted 150 proposals for audiobooks, photography supplies, building tools, Latin textbooks, an LCD projector and many other items.
Individuals may contribute to the projects by going to www.DonorsChoose.org and typing “Portland, Maine” in the search field. The Web site provides details about each project and how much money has been raised.
“DonorsChoose.org offers a wonderful way for local residents to support our schools by helping to meet our teachers’ needs,” said Susan Steele, the Partnership’s executive director. “As the holidays approach, I encourage families to consider a contribution of any size.”
Claire Crocker, a Lincoln Middle School teacher, received $291 from DonorsChoose.org to purchase materials to help sixth graders who are falling behind in math. “I’m grateful for such a straightforward, efficient method of asking for funds,” Crocker said.
Moore Middle School was awarded $211 to buy headphones for the foreign language department so that students can use their laptops for listening activities in Spanish and French.
Another project seeking funds involves Reiche Elementary School art classes painting murals on classroom dividers throughout the school. A Portland High proposal covers the costs of physics students conducting an electromagnetism project.
Once a teacher’s proposal is fully funded, DonorsChoose.org purchases the equipment or supplies and sends them to the teacher along with a disposable camera to document the project. Donors receive thank-you notes and photographs directly from the recipients.
All Portland projects submitted by November 16 were guaranteed up to $400 during the current school year.
Founded in 2000 by a New York City teacher, DonorsChoose.org has helped raise $15 million in books, art supplies, technology and other resources for 30,500 public school teachers. The program expanded this year from eight states and four cities to all 50 states, making it available to every public school in the country. Several Silicon Valley businesses donated $11 million to underwrite the national expansion.
DonorsChoose.org has won several awards, including the 2005 Nonprofit Innovation Award from the Stanford Business School and Amazon.com.
The Portland Education Partnership is a local nonprofit group that works to enrich student learning and build support for the Portland Public Schools by promoting opportunities for parent, business and community involvement.
