Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

New TeacherFunder Platform to Launch, Helping Teachers Fund Classroom Supplies

  • 01/07/19

Los Angeles – It is no secret that teachers pour all of themselves into educating children and shaping their futures, including spending their own money for supplies, field trips and class projects. In fact, according to a study by the National Center of Education Statistics, 94 percent of public-school teachers report they pay out of pocket for school supplies, spending an average of $480 a year, which is nearly double the federal tax deduction of $250. On Jan. 15, TeacherFunder, a new fundraising and social platform, is set to launch, helping close the personal financial gap for teachers.

TeacherFunder was created to support teachers who are trying to make a difference in their schools, their community, and their students' lives. Whether a teacher needs money for a field trip, classroom supplies, or a new set of books, TeacherFunder is a resource they can use to start receiving funding through public donations.

"We are pleased to offer this new crowdfunding source designed specifically for hard-working teachers who do so much, but earn so little money," said Michael Paladino, CEO of TeacherFunder. "With TeacherFunder, teachers will no longer need to stretch already limited dollars to pay for important classroom supplies or other learning initiatives, or sacrifice projects altogether. Now, everyone will have a chance to support teachers across the country."

TeacherFunder makes the process quick and easy by removing the red tape and connecting teachers directly to funding sources. Teachers simply register, create a profile, which can include a photo and a short biography, and let donors know why they need funding and how it will be used. Teachers can also use their profile page to interact with parents and students from their school—the people who know them best and are most likely to want to help. Links to the teacher profile page can also be shared anywhere, including the teacher's social media pages.

Unlike other sites, TeacherFunder does not charge a platform fee. A minimal 3.9 percent, plus $1 is taken from each donation to process through merchants. All of the remaining money goes directly to the teachers.

To learn more about this new fundraising tool for teachers or to create a profile, visit TeacherFunder.com.

Featured

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.