[HollyEllis]

Hi all! I just posted 2 proposals on DonorsChoose. Have any of you done this? Have you been successful getting funded? III'm trying not to get my hopes up but I'm thinking about asking family who would normally buy me Christmas gifts to donate to my proposals. Do you think that's tacky? What about sending a letter home to parents asking them to make donations if possible?

[teachergranma]

I have sent in a proposal but it doesn't look like it will be funded. I know several PT'rs have had success in being funded. If you think your family members would donate instead of Christmas gifts for you I would ask. I had not thought about a letter to parents. It might work, it depends on how supporative your parents are. Best wishes on your project.

[gg]

I was funded a proposal last month. It was completely funded by JP Morgan Chase. I was quite surprised it only took 2 weeks. It was my first attempt. I knew I wouldn't get any donations from parents because everyone is poor- 97% free lunch and breakfast. In my own family we don't spend more than token amounts for Christmas. If you wait you might get funded. If you really want your proposal as a Christmas gift then I guess it would be okay to ask. I would not ask class families to donate, I'd just direct them to the proposal online and let them decide if they like to donate. Good luck!!!

[bonnybelle]

Turns out I was fortunate to have a big project funded. I did distribute a letter of request to the families at the start of school. Three families out of 20 and their relatives responded posting 30% of the expense.
A benevolent local stranger donated the balance if you can imagine.

Time line;
June 30 posted wish
August 30 distributed information letter
September 20 wish fulfilled
September 27 gift received
October 30 Thank You Letters Package completed and mailed

It was a positive experience. I wish you and all others well. I bet it would be a great way to celebrate the holidays for your class to fulfill your wish list.

[oliviasmom]

I just recently had two of my proposals funded. One was for writer's workshop supplies and the other was for literacy tote items. All of my items were received last week and I am now working the thank you package. JP Morgan Chase also gave a big chunk of each of my projects. Besides them, there were about 5 or 6 random, generous givers. Keep trying, you just never know who will be on there trying to give to a great cause! Good Luck to everyone and their proposals.

[teach2read10]

I don't know how big your proposal is. Small proposals have a pretty good success rate. Try for something smaller if you don't get funded on your current requests. Good luck.

[Thing 1]

I have been funded three times. The first I was teaching elementary resource room and recieved individual CD players for audio books. The 2nd funding was for audio books. This one took all summer and was funded right after school started. I had been transfered to the high school (I know it was quite a leap but I love it) and no longer could use the audio books. The donors recieved their donations back in gift cards. I submitted my 3rd porposol for math games and last week the games arrived. Chase paid for some of the proposol but other donors did too. So I guess you could say I have been funded 3 times. Tomorrow we will be working on thank you cards and I will complete the thank you package. I just love Donorschoose.

[Firstgradefun]

must donate thousands of dollars b/c they funded my last project too!