We offer two kinds of resource requests: Classroom Essentials lists and standard projects. Standard projects can request a wide variety of resources from our shopping portal, must include a brief essay describing the goals of the projects, and have a $100 minimum materials cost. Classroom Essentials lists can request materials from a limited inventory, require no essay, and have no minimum materials cost.
Since 2000, the idea of a “project” has been core to the DonorsChoose model. Projects have sustained 700K+ teachers who created 2.24 million of them to get supplies for their classroom thanks to support from over 5 million donors. The project model has been flexible enough to accommodate teachers’ endless creativity — but it’s not the ideal structure for all of a teacher’s classroom needs, particularly when a teacher may need a small quantity and/or low cost items. Classroom Essentials lists provide teachers with a much simpler way to get basic classroom supplies, with no essay or minimum cost required.
Consider creating a Standard Project if...
- You need items beyond the "basics" (paper, pencils, markers, tissues, etc.)
- You have specific brands in mind that you would like to request
- You would like to provide additional context to donors on what you're requesting
Consider creating a Classroom Essentials list if...
- You need basic items for your classroom, like papers, pencils, markers, tissues, and snacks
- You'd like to be able to order items as funding comes in
- You want a low-lift way to request items quickly
Basic items available for a Classroom Essentials list include:
- Bandages
- Crackers (cheddar)
- Crayons
- Disinfecting wipes
- Erasers (standalone and pencil tops)
- Fruit snacks
- Glue sticks
- Highlighters
- Laminating pouches
- Markers (regular and dry erase)
- Paper (color and white)
- Pencils (regular and color)
- Pens (felt tip and ballpoint)
- Play-Doh
- Sticky Notes
- Tissues