All,

I saw this on Oprah today (the show was about outstanding teachers) and
couldn't resist forwarding it on -- it's a spectacular idea, and a simple
one at that! I've posted their words on "How it works" below, but
I urge you
all to go to their site:

www.donorschoose.org

And for you teacherly types out there (pointed looks at
you-know-who-you-are) perhaps you can help get something like this started
in your area -- this (so far!) only assists schools in NY

Oprah doesn't endorse fly-by-night operations, so my bet is that they're
every bit safe and true to their mission.


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DonorsChoose' model of citizen philanthropy begins with a teacher who wants
to provide his or her students with an activity that school funds would not
cover. At this website, the teacher can describe a student project and list
the materials needed to make it possible.

DonorsChoose.org is not a bulletin board where teachers can directly post
their proposals, however. Before accepting a proposal, DonorsChoose staff
and volunteers verify the teacher's identity; confirm the existence of
requested materials; negotiate discounts and attach a cost to the proposal;
and, finally, review the proposed student project. If anything is unclear,
staff email follow-up questions to the teacher.

Next, civic-minded individuals can browse teachers' submissions. A donor can
make a tax-deductible contribution that fully or partially funds a chosen
proposal.

When a proposal is funded, DonorsChoose purchases the materials and has them
delivered to the teacher's school. Staff also mails the teacher a disposable
camera and stamped envelope in which to enclose photographs of the project
taking place, student thank-you notes, and a teacher letter. Upon receiving
this feedback, DonorsChoose attaches receipts, and forwards this package to
the donor.

DonorsChoose presents a new business model for accomplishing good works.
Typically, a nonprofit organization must pay itself to assess needs and
design services for a particular group of people. At DonorsChoose, motivated
teachers--who know their kids better than anyone in the system--perform this
essential task for free. Correspondingly, a foundation pays itself to
evaluate the programs designed by nonprofits and to channel funds to the
most worthy programs. At DonorsChoose, citizen-philanthropists perform this
task.


--- Rachel's Little NET2FIDO Gate v 0.9.9.8 Alpha