Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from DonorsChoose

Updated 9/27/2023

The DonorsChoose team is evaluating the many ways the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affects classrooms, teachers, and students across the country. We'll update this page regularly, so please check here if you have questions about projects or donations. 

For more information about coronavirus, visit the CDC website and the U.S. Department of Education's guide to coronavirus resources.  

Quick navigation for teachers: Thank-you packages | Shipping guidelines | Virtual Trip & Virtual Visitor projects | Vendors during coronavirus | Free resources for you and your students 

Quick navigation for classroom supporters: Helping students in closed schools | Student thank-yous have returned

Information for teachers

Thank-you packages

Our community and classroom funding model is built on gratitude and transparency. We still believe in the undeniable power of a simple thank-you — especially in tough times. It keeps classroom supporters coming back again and again, and even helps us find new ones for your future projects! But we also know that a thank-you package may be the last thing on your mind. Let us know if you are having trouble completing your thank-you package. We’ve made some changes to thank-you package requirements but understand you might need some help.

Shipping guidelines

Under extenuating circumstances, teachers may contact our team to request that their project materials be delivered to an address other than a school when confirming funding for their project. You can read more in this article how to send your materials to a custom address.

Virtual Trip & Virtual Visitor projects

You can submit a virtual class trip or visitor project. 

During the 2023-2024 school year, in-person Class Trip and Class Visitor projects are unavailable. Fill out this form to let us know this project type is important for you. 

Integrated vendors

Some vendors and items may be unavailable due to coronavirus’ impact on vendors’ inventory, supply chain, and warehouse capabilities. When shopping, you may see that items are out of stock or unable to ship at this time.

Additional free resources while your school is closed

Our vendors, partners, and other friends of DonorsChoose are doing so much to support teachers, students, and parents during school closures. Here's a growing list of additional resources you may find helpful.

Information for classroom supporters

Helping students during school closures

The best way to support teachers is by donating to a project.  Thousands of teachers are still using DonorsChoose to request resources for their students while school doors are closed, and we’re working with them directly to make sure materials are delivered safely.  

Student thank-you notes have returned

We’ve brought back this gratitude option for teachers but recognize that it can be a difficult undertaking to accomplish—so teachers can always write in and let us know if completion of the student thank-yous is not feasible. If this happens to a project you’ve donated to, we’ll contact you!