montessori ed

Donorschoose.org is an interesting way for Public Montessori Schools to make it easy for families to donate online for specific school projects while also reaching out to a larger internet community of possible donors.

Here is a brief description of How it Works

onorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

This type of donation could be especially useful when a public school classroom is transitioning to Montessori and needs many auto-didactic materials.  A Montessori alumnus might be donating to the site and choose your school.

Most schools have a closet somewhere with retired materials collecting dust.  How about using those worn out and/or missing a few pieces materials  to raise funds?

Parents, family members, and staff all enjoy keepsakes.  Retired materials can be given a second life through creative marketing and refurbishing.  Check out these few ideas…

The possibilities are endless, just seek out creative, crafty volunteers and let them loose.

Keepsakes can be sold for a set price or auctioned at a fundraiser or online.   Prices or starting bids can be established to subsidize or completely offset the cost of replacement materials.

An electric custom wood branding tool with the school logo could be cost effective way to create a keepsake memorabilia.

Just prior to the holiday season would be a perfect time to hold an auction or sale.  If you are concerned about display space or oragnizing an event you can set up an online salesroom using WordPress.com or other free web hosting service.