Help Teachers Help Students
Donate materials or experiences to a schoolroom in need.

A worn, mended carpet for Amanda Tylicki's precious second-graders?
Never.
After spotting the unsightly scrap, Tylicki posted a proposal for a new rug on DonorsChoose.org, a Web site that connects donors with small schoolroom projects. A few months later, her kids were gathered on a bright, cushy carpet for story hour. "The budget is tight at a school like mine," says Tylicki, who is starting her fourth year as a teacher at Horace Cureton Elementary School, in East San Jose, Cal. "It's wonderful to have a resource like DonorsChoose."
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Row 0 - Cell 0 | More $1,000 Ideas |
Row 1 - Cell 0 | Enter Our Best $1,000 Idea Contest |
Founded by Charles Best, a social-studies teacher in a public high school in the Bronx, N.Y., DonorsChoose began as a way to get supplies into public schools in low-income areas. "I figured that there were people out there who wanted to improve public schools but were skeptical about writing a check for $100 and not seeing where their money was going," says Best.
Giving through DonorsChoose feels as personal as bringing cupcakes to your kid's classroom. You browse the requests -- say, for a book cart or science equipment -- and send a donation to the one that appeals to you most. You can kick in part of the funding or all of it. Once the target amount has been met, DonorsChoose buys the materials and ships them to the school.
What kind of school supplies does $1,000 buy? For about that amount, you could present a special-education class in San Francisco with a laptop computer and software. Or you could divvy up your donation and buy dress-up clothing for kindergartners in Staten Island, N.Y. ($535) and a digital camera for third-graders in Thomasville, N.C. ($292).
On the receiving end, the class puts together a packet that includes thank-you notes from the kids, a letter from the teacher and pictures of the whole gang using the resource. The packet goes to DonorsChoose, which forwards it to the donor. "With people who want to be anonymous, we address the letters 'Dear Donor,'" says Tylicki. "I've heard kids say, 'Donor is so nice. I really want to meet Donor.'"
Tylicki's proposals have also snagged new crayons for her students, as well as $7,000 to send 14 of them to summer science camp. "DonorsChoose has revolutionized my ability to teach," she says. As for the kids, "the process tells them, One person who didn't even know us just made our day by giving us a present. Think of how kind that is."
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
Here's Why I'm Upgrading to the iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 is here. Learn what's new, where the best deals are and whether it's worth the switch.
-
September Fed Meeting: Live Updates and Commentary
The September Fed meeting is a key economic event, with Wall Street keyed into what Fed Chair Powell & Co. will do about interest rates.
-
21 Last-Minute Gifts for Grandparents Day 2025 to Give Right Now
Holiday Tips Last-minute gifting is never easy. But here are some ideas to celebrate Grandparents Day.
-
Texas Sales Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here's what you needed to know about the Texas sales tax holiday.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online Bargains
Feature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Best States to Buy Chocolate Candy Tax-Free
State Taxes There’s something spooky this Halloween, and it’s not just the ghouls. Find out if your state’s sales tax takes a bite out of sweet savings.
-
Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025
Sales Taxes The new tax-free holiday in Florida brought month-long savings on computers, clothing and other school supplies.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.