1 post tagged “voluntary”

Recently I've been thinking about the topic of charity, and how it is enforced. I've been playing with the idea of comparing modern taxes in the context of charity and foreign aid to tithes. And so, it is with some interest that I discovered this article about a website, DonorsChoose.org, which is gaining popularity in Indiana. The site list the wish lists of teachers with plans for special educational projects for their classes, which [I guess] can't be funded by the school board. The public is then invited to peruse the project proposals and donate whatever they like to those they deem of merit. The merit of certain projects aside, I'm quite impressed with the scheme. Not only does it allow people to support only those causes which they judge worthy, but it also gives parents the oppourtunity to have more of a say in what they're children are learning in public schools by direct funding. Anyway, I'd like to set it aside as an example for possible later use.

The program works by matching the public's desire to give with projects, many at high-need or high-poverty schools. This can range from books to computers to student field trips.

DonorsChoose allows anyone to donate as much or as little to a project of their choosing. When it's fully funded, the site purchases and sends the materials to the teacher. It includes a camera to take photos of students using the donated material and instructs teachers and students to write thank you notes to the donors.

"The model of DonorsChoose enables somebody with $10 to get the same level of choice and impact and feedback from the classroom as Bill Gates gets when he makes a million dollar gift," Best said.

[...]

"I think there are a lot of people out there who want to give and want to donate or be involved in schools but don't know how," Allen said. "This gives them a chance to look around and find a reason that compels them." [emphasis added]