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NEA & DonorsChoose Join Forces

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that connects public school teachers in need of classroom materials and other learning needs to corporations, foundations, and everyday people who can help them. You can submit a request for learning materials at http://www.donorschoose.org/teachers. You can view a tutorial about becoming a DonorsChoose.org teacher and posting projects on DonorsChoose.org. at http://www.donorschoose.org/teacher/tutorial_popup_welcome.html?popupFaqHeight=335.

The National Education Association [NEA] recently partnered with DonorsChoose.org in an effort to provide even more learning materials for teachers than had previously been possible. To learn more about this partnership and what it can do for you, go to http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/new-opportunities/.

Following is a thumbnail description of the requirements and benefits associated with the NEA/DonorsChoose partnership:

• Post one project request for up to $500 for classroom materials.
• Within two weeks, your project will be added to the NEA Foundation's match offer — making it appear as half-funded and incentivizing donors to support your classroom.
• Supporters of public education browse requests and make donations.
• The NEA Foundation matches the money raised, up to $250 per request.
• Funding is only applied to projects if citizens (donors) fund the other 50% of your project's cost.

The NEA Foundation funds and supports education solutions that help students succeed. Through their work, they’ve discovered that the best teaching ideas come from their greatest assets, educators. This funding opportunity can bring those ideas to life.

1. If you are a NEA Member but new to DonorsChoose.org, you will need to register on DonorsChoose.org. You must select "NEA" under "Teacher Affiliations" during the registration process or your project will not receive the 50% offer! Also, keep in mind your project must cost less than a total of $500 to be eligible.
2. If you are a NEA Member and already registered as a teacher on DonorsChoose.org, login to your account and post a project today. To receive the 50% offer on your project, you must select "NEA" under "Update Affiliations" in your teacher account under "My School Info & Affiliations." Also, keep in mind your project must cost less than a total of $500 to be eligible.

I suspect the response to this opportunity will be huge, so if you are a member of NEA you will probably want to jump on this bandwagon as soon as possible.