Colorado ESSER Report: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis today announced additional funding for Colorado teachers to access the DonorsChoose Program funding. This opportunity was created by the Governor’s allocation of $6.7 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund to the DonorsChoose program which provides $1,000 to teachers for classroom supplies and resources to improve students’ learning experiences. This investment builds on the extremely successful collaboration between the Colorado Department of Education and the DonorsChoose program in August, where CDE provided $11 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funding to the program. 

The DonorsChoose Program supports teachers to purchase new resources and supplies that will help students excel in the classroom. With some students working to get back on track following the pandemic, it is crucial teachers can access the resources they need to address unique learning challenges. Any PreK-12th grade Colorado public school teacher can submit project requests to the DonorsChoose program site, and eligible projects receive $1,000 while the funds last. Eligible uses of project funding include upgrading or purchasing: 

• Classroom supplies 
• Technology learning tools 
• Instructional materials 
• Social or mental health resources for students 

Teachers who have previously received funding from this program are able to submit a new project request and access additional funding. 

Through CDE’s previous investment, DonorsChoose provided $1,000 to more than 2,300 Colorado teachers. The tremendous interest from teachers across the state resulted in all available funding being distributed in just eight days. The additional state funding created a second opportunity for Colorado teachers to submit project requests and take advantage of the program. Teachers can submit their project requests beginning today, Sept. 21, 2023, through Sept. 28, 2023, or until funds are fully allocated. 

Teachers can create an account and submit their project requests by visiting: https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/16813215491095 

Aspen Creek K-8 teacher Sara Sloan celebrates as Gov. Polis announces additional funding for the DonorsChoose project.