Once a year we implore our loyal CV readers to dig deep into their pockets, and support the cause of scientific literacy. One of the most direct and straightforward ways to do this is through Donors Choose, which facilitates direct contributions to primary and secondary classrooms (alas, for the moment only in the United States). The projects are described in detail, and one knows exactly why and how the funds will be used. Your gift has a clear and discernible impact, emphasized by the personal handwritten thank you notes you receive from the students.
To further incentivize readers, Donors Choose runs a yearly Social Media Challenge, where blogs compete to win fame and (give away) fortune. Last year we handidly trounced the folks over at ScienceBlogs. Over 100 CV readers donated a total of almost $9,000, impacting 1,700 students across the nation. We’re truly proud; our readers came through big time! This year we’re once again throwing our hat in the ring. Donate here. Tax deductible. Other bloggers are encouraged to set up their own challenges, or advertise ours (and we’ll happily list you at the top of our Donors Choose page). And although that warm feeling in your heart from helping needy children will certainly be sufficient, we’ll also post a list of all who contribute more than $100 (unless you request anonymity, of course). This is an incredibly direct way to improve the state of science and math education. Donations start as low as $5! And our schools need all the help they can get.
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:22 am
No, you won’t.
Nor did you hand out prizes as promised.
Not that I’m bitter or anything …
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 am
We promised last year to publish the name of $100+ donors, but never did, because unfortunately (or not) we don’t actually have access to that information. Nobody explicitly let us know that they had donated so much, and it didn’t seem polite to ask. But if you let us know, we’ll very happily give you credit!
We also still owe a couple of T-shirts, but that will happen.
Also very happy to take suggestions for worthwhile incentives we could reasonably offer. We’re willing to do what it takes, for the right price.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
It looks like this year they do provide us information on how much each donor contributes. We’ll attempt to keep track of the “Super awesome, $100+” donors, and thank then explicitly. Although, of course, *any and all* donations are welcome, and make a difference!
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:04 am
< href="http://skepchick.org/blog/calendar/">heh heh heh heh heh
Though personally I was more keen on the signed boxset of lectures, I think it was.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Link FAIL!
There are some nice and cheap ones in there. And several with double-your-money sponsorships. (I missed that for the blogathon since I never got the email in time. /whine)
Anyway – I’m stilling missing part of my pay for last month, but the union and the pittance for the pension have been paid, so I think there’s only rent and internet left. By the look of it I should be able to pitch in again this year (though not as much).
But now that I think about it I like my silly suggestion up there, so I’m in for $50 for every Cosmic Variant who volunteers for the Skekchick and -dude calendars. $100 extra for each that get accepted.
Anyone care to join the pot on that challenge? I mean, it’s not like I’m asking you to get shaved and waxed.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:59 am
“Last year we handidly trounced the folks over at ScienceBlogs. Over 100 CV readers donated a total of almost $9,000, impacting 1,700 students across the nation.”
I beg to differ. ScienceBlogs raised over $38,000 in last year’s challenge, reaching over 15,000 students. In fact we are nearly to $6,000 already this year.
If you need proof… http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/leadershipboard.html?category=17
Just sayin…
October 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Erin, I think the key word here is “handidly,” which seems (from the context) to mean “In our own minds.”
There’s still a whole lot of October left. We’ll find out whose readers are the most generous.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Erin, we raised significantly more than any individual ScienceBlog. But, no, we certainly couldn’t compete with the collective. This year we have some help (here and here), so maybe there’s hope?! I’m amazed and gratified by the tremendous generosity of our readers, on both sides of the aisle.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
[...] are now in the middle of the Social Media Challenge at DonorsChoose. Many of our generous, loyal, beautiful, intelligent, witty, and particularly [...]