72 DonorsChoose projects submitted by teachers funded across 37 San Bernardino City Unified schools.
With a $25,000 investment from Amazon, San Bernardino Education Foundation (formally known as Making Hope Happen Foundation) has directed resources to
72 DonorsChoose classroom projects submitted by teachers across 37 San Bernardino City Unified School District Schools, delivering materials directly requested by local educators. The effort was carried out in partnership with DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit that connects public school teachers with supporters who want to provide the resources students need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Through the initiative, San Bernardino Education Foundation applied up to $500 toward each selected DonorsChoose project, reaching 72 different educators throughout the district. The projects demonstrate not only the creativity of San Bernardino teachers, but also the wide range of needs they address every day to ensure students arrive in the classroom ready to learn.
An analysis of the funded projects found that approximately 40% of requests focused on basic needs and student well-being, including food, hygiene supplies, and tools designed to help students regulate their emotions and focus. Another 40% focused on reading and English language learning. Together, approximately 80% of the funding supports either the conditions students need in order to be ready to learn or the foundational literacy skills essential to their academic success.
In addition, nearly every funded project serves a school where the majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and 72% of the projects will benefit PreK-5 classrooms.
“Our teachers know their students and their classrooms better than anyone, and this partnership gave us the opportunity to listen to what they said they needed and respond,” said Niki Dettman, CEO of San Bernardino Education Foundation. “What stands out is that so many of these requests go beyond traditional classroom supplies. Our educators are thinking about the whole child — whether students have what they need to feel safe, supported, focused and ready to learn. We are incredibly grateful to Amazon for investing $25,000 in San Bernardino teachers and students and for trusting our Foundation to put those resources where they can make an immediate difference.”
The DonorsChoose projects range from literacy and social-emotional learning resources to technology and arts education. Among the teachers receiving support are:
- Esquibel at Muscoy Elementary School, whose project will provide calming sensory tools to help third- though fifth-grade students regulate their emotions, improve focus, and feel ready to learn.
- Carlson at Serrano Middle School, whose Production class will receive a microphone and podcasting equipment that students can use to produce school news, interviews, voiceovers, and other projects while developing real-world audio production skills.
- Wilkerson at Pacific High School, whose students will receive art supplies to explore Hispanic art and culture through hands-on creative projects.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring resources reach classrooms based on needs identified directly by educators. DonorsChoose allows teachers to request the specific materials their students need while supporters can direct resources toward classrooms, communities, or causes they wish to support.
“Amazon’s support allowed us to turn teachers’ requests into tangible resources for students across San Bernardino,” Dettman added. “Seventy-two teachers at 37 schools will walk into their classrooms with additional tools to support their students because of this investment. This is what meaningful community partnership looks like.”
The investment is part of San Bernardino Education Foundation’s ongoing work as the nonprofit partner supporting students and educators throughout San Bernardino City Unified School District. By connecting philanthropic and community partners with opportunities identified by educators and schools, the Foundation works to remove barriers to student success and expand opportunities for San Bernardino students.
About San Bernardino Education Foundation
San Bernardino Education Foundation inspires and mobilizes the community to support the academic success and well-being of San Bernardino City Unified School District students by removing barriers to achievement and building pathways to opportunity. Through partnerships with educators, businesses, community organizations, and philanthropic supporters, the Foundation invests in programs and resources that help San Bernardino students thrive from early childhood through college and career.
About DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose is an education nonprofit ensuring every US public school student has the classroom resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Founded by a teacher in 2000, DonorsChoose connects educators with a nationwide community of supporters who believe investing in students today will transform tomorrow. Educators request the materials they know their students need, and donors can choose the classroom, community, or cause they want to support. Since its founding, donors have supported 90% of US public schools.
Every request is vetted, resources are delivered to classrooms, and donors can
see the impact of their support through transparent reporting and updates from students and teachers. Raising $1.9 billion for classrooms, DonorsChoose has earned top ratings from Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and CharityWatch for their transparency, trust, and impact. Learn more at www.donorschoose.org.