Though this amount cannot be removed from your project goal, donors can easily exclude it in their donation. Any donor can opt out of including it in the checkout process: if someone selects "give" on your project page, they can click "edit" on the following page, next to the suggested donation amount. There, the donors can opt to give less of a suggested donation. Each time a donor opts out, we recalculate the amount remaining on your project.
The suggested donation supports the labor performed by DonorsChoose to turn your donation into a live project. DonorsChoose ensures end-to-end integrity on every project by reviewing project submissions, procuring materials, verifying school shipping addresses, and maintaining contact with the teachers and other school officials throughout the process. It is definitely essential to keep DonorsChoose going!