Updated 9/2/2020 6:00 PM ET
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 | Trip projects | Vendors during coronavirus | Free resources for you and your students
Quick navigation for supporters: Helping students in closed schools | Discontinuing student thank-yous | DonorsChoose office closure
Information for teachers
Thank-you packages
We know that the coronavirus could impact your ability to complete your thank-you package. We’ve made some changes to thank-you package requirements to accommodate this uncertain school year.
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 in this unprecedented school year, a thank-you package may be the last thing on a teacher’s mind.
We have taken the following steps to reduce any barriers to completing thank-you package steps:
- Made thank-you packages optional for projects that were fully funded before May
- Waived thank-you package requirements for teachers who completed their impact letters before 8/3/2020.
- Removed the student-thank you opt-in for donors.
Shipping guidelines
Starting in July 2020, we’ve expanded shipping options and flexibility for some projects. Some teachers may have the ability to request that their project materials be delivered to an address other than a school when confirming funding for their project. You can check out how to create an eligible project here. If you had a project that was fully funded before July 21, 2020, your project may also be impacted.
Trip projects
Teachers will no longer have the ability to create a trip or visitor project that involves an in-person component. This includes any project that requires travel on the part of teachers or students. The Class Trip or Class Visitor project type is no longer available when creating a new project. Virtual trip and conference experiences can be submitted as Special Request projects.
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
How to help students during school closures
Thank you for your continued support of public schools! Here are a few ways to support teachers and students while schools are closed:
- Donate 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. You can also support projects that are intended to ship directly to a teacher or student home.
- Support Keep Kids Learning, our new pilot program that helps selected teachers in high-need schools get resources delivered directly to their students. We’ve waived our 15% optional donation for this fund, so 100% of your gift will go to supplies for teachers and their students. Learn more about the Keep Kids Learning program.
Discontinuing student thank-you notes until further notice
We’re no longer asking teachers to create thank-you notes with their students until schools are able to open their doors again. Donors will not receive student thank-you notes for donations of any amount made after March 20, 2020. While this is a big shift for us, we know it’s the right choice -- we’re glad we can take one thing off teachers’ minds right now. We’re looking forward to bringing back the glittery, magic-markered, sweetly drawn notes we all love to receive as soon as we can.
Keeping our communities healthy and safe
In accordance with local recommendations, DonorsChoose has closed its offices. Our work doesn't stop, however; teachers, many of whom are working remotely for the first time, need our community's help more than ever to keep their students safe and healthy. We're working hard to limit disruptions in our support.