Charleston, S.C. (WCIV) — Lowcountry native Stephen Colbert is no stranger to announcing good news for teachers who use a crowdfunding website to list needed items.
In 2015, Colbert and the Morgridge Family Foundation funded 320 educator requests through the non-profit public school platform DonorsChoose.org,
Last night, Colbert announced on the Late Show that another “flash funding” happened on DonorsChoose.org—a $29 million donation to fund every U.S. classroom project on the website.
The donation came from Ripple, a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency startup company. Stories are being shared on social media, using the hashtag #BestSchoolDay.
Locally, that sweeping donation funded wish lists for more than 80 educators in the Charleston County School District.
In a single instant, a total of 98 projects for 84 CCSD teachers were funded, totaling $67,120, the district states.
The funded projects and items include a stationary bike for students in a classroom at Laurel Hill Primary School, flexible chairs for students at Haut Gap Advanced Studies Magnet and carpets at James Island Elementary School.
Combined with other donations already given through the site, $79,374 in classroom supplies and resources were funded yesterday.
"Oh my goodness, this is awesome," said Shantequa Green, a fifth grade teacher at Drayton Hall Elementary School. "This makes it the third DonorsChoose.org project that I've had fully funded."
"Our school is getting comfortable seating for the library,” said Zack Musallam, a science teacher at Daniel Jenkins Academy. ”I am super excited!"
DonorsChoose.org can be used by any school staff member who works with students: teachers, nurses, counselors, psychologists, therapists, athletic coaches, and club sponsors.
To view a full list of projects that were funded yesterday, click here.