Starting August 31, 2026, teachers new to DonorsChoose will receive an automatic one-time donation of $50 on their first project, while funds last.
You will see the one-time donation applied to your project as soon as it is approved and live on the site.
How to qualify:
- Be an educator who has never had a project fully funded on DonorsChoose
- Submit a new project between August 31 and September 4
How to get involved in Welcome Week if you have already had a DonorsChoose project funded:
You can still participate! Earn a $25 DonorsChoose gift code by referring a teacher during Welcome Week. Click the button below to learn all about our Refer-a-Teacher program.
Refer a teacher for Welcome Week
What won’t qualify:
- Projects being funded by state grants
- Projects submitted before August 31 or after September 4
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I have posted a project that was not fully funded but did receive some donations; do I still qualify?
Yes! If you have not had a project fully funded— where your entire project goal was met-– you are eligible for this promotion.
Q: When can I expect to see the donation to appear on my project page?
You will see the $50 welcome donation on your project page within an hour of your project being approved and posted live on our site. You’ll also receive an email letting you know that you’ve received a donation.
Q: Do Essentials lists qualify for this funding opportunity?
No. Donations placed to an Essentials list will not be matched by this funding opportunity. Essentials lists are currently not eligible to receive matching donations from any funding opportunity. You can read more about Classroom Essentials in our Help Center.
Q: If I am eligible for this donation, can I submit multiple projects for Welcome Week?
Only the first project you submit in the Welcome Week timeframe will receive the $50 welcome donation. However, you can post additional projects that won’t receive this particular; back-to-school is a great time to have projects on our site!
Q: What should I do to make sure my project gets funded after the welcome donation?
Kudos to you for thinking so proactively about your project success! One of the best ways to set yourself up for project funding is to spread the word about the LIFTOFF code to your friends and family. The LIFTOFF code is a special code for new teachers like you that matches up to $50 on first-time DonorsChoose teacher projects. Read more in our LIFTOFF Help Center article. You can also read our Tips for Success Help Center article for additional fundraising ideas.
Q: Can I post a project for $50 only?
No; we do have a minimum materials cost of $100 for projects. However, you’re likely to be funded if you post a project under $600! You can get inspired by checking our funding tips for teachers and our list of commonly requested items. These are great places to start!
Q: How do I refer someone to start their first project?
You can earn a $25 bonus for each new teacher you help get started using your Refer-a-Teacher link. The new teacher will need to click your referral link before they submit their first project. Check out more details and access your Refer-a-Teacher link: https://secure.donorschoose.org/refer.
Q: What happens if I submit on time, but my project is posted after the 4th?
You will still receive the one-time donation! All eligible teachers who submit their project from 8/31 - 9/4 will receive the $50 welcome donation, regardless of whether or not the project is approved and posted live on our site during that time.