Oklahoma City teachers turn to crowdfunding to afford resources for students

OKLAHOMA CITY — With the current budget crisis in Oklahoma and cuts to education in recent years, more and more teachers are turning to crowdfunding to get resources for their students.

“We’ve had $30 million cut from the budget two years ago, and another $10 million cut from the budget this year,” said Alta Price with the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. “And our teachers, we already know, are paid so low.”

A partnership with DonorsChoose.org helps connect the community to the needs of local classrooms.

“Knowing the community cares, and that they are willing to support our classrooms, especially during this time of budget crisis, is really important,” said Price.

Each week, the Foundation for OKCPS features a project for #DonorsChooseFriday. It’s part of a weekly social media series to help raise awareness for teachers and students in need.

“It’s a great, great resource,” said Danielle Mitchell, a third-grade teacher at Greystone Upper Elementary School.

She has a campaign on DonorsChoose.org to raise money for a field trip for her students, a hands-on learning experience they’ve never had before.

“We are at a very low-income school where kids can’t afford to bring the admission price,” said Mitchell “Their families are struggling.”

Mitchell needs just over $1,000 to make the field trip happen, and she’s already halfway to her goal.

“I’ve had people from California donate – all over Oklahoma, Texas. Some anonymous, some I know,” said Mitchell.

Since November of 2014, more than 2,000 projects have been funded through DonorsChoose.org, creating a financial impact of $1.4 million for Oklahoma City Public Schools.