In the United States, children in low-income neighborhoods are regularly denied access to the same high-quality education tools their peers right across town are afforded.
Meanwhile, thousands of teachers rely on public assistance to afford food or healthcare due to being underpaid or forced to purchase their own school supplies and classroom furniture.
Go overseas, especially to developing nations, and the problem is compounded—that is, if those children even have a school to go to, much less a safe one with adequate resources.
There is no excusing it. But we can fight it.
Thanks to your donations, nonprofits across the country have made monumental strides in closing the education gap, providing additional funding to local schools, supporting, training, and deploying expert teachers, and even building new schools in developing communities overseas, enabling thousands of children to attend school for the first time.
Join us in celebrating National Nonprofit Day. Here are 7 nonprofits we recommend to help support education.
15 Education Nonprofits to Support in 2023
1. Donors Choose
Donors Choose is a nonprofit and online platform that makes it easy for public school teachers to fundraise for their classrooms, and for community members to make direct donations to those classrooms. Since 2000, everyday people have given more than $1.3 million directly to teachers, purchasing supplies, funding projects and experiences, and more.
For donors who care about…
- Local classrooms
- Supporting teachers
- Impacting local schools directly
- Public schools
How to Support Donors Choose?
- Search their site for a classroom to support.
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant.
2. Room to Read
Room to Read serves over 1 million children per year by providing literacy support in low-income areas, addressing gender inequality in education, researching and providing solutions to literacy issues, and by partnering with local governments to improve learning conditions around the world.
For donors who care about…
- Girls’ education
- Gender inequality in education
- Literacy support
- Funding low-income schools
- Global literacy
How to Support Room to Read?
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Become a fundraiser
3. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is all about anyone and everyone having access to free education. The nonprofit and its team of content specialists create video tutorials and interactive exercises for students to study at their own pace outside of the classroom, covering dozens of topics ranging from regular SAT prep, to STEM courses anyone can take. They also provide courses and support to parents and teachers, making it easier for anyone to help the student in their life.
For donors who care about…
- Free education and courses
- Equal access to education for all
- Technology and STEM
- Online learning
- Families, communities, and schools
How to Support Khan Academy
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
4. First Book
First Book is a nonprofit that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need. Looking to remove barriers to quality education, First Book has distributed more than 185 million books and resources to low-income communities in more than 30 countries. Currently, they are working to deliver more than 8 million books to children currently unable to attend school or access the internet due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For donors who care about…
- Educational equality
- Supporting low-income communities
- Global literacy
- The technology divide
How to Support First Book
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Join the Book Club
- Join Team First Book
- Shop their book marketplace
5. Pencils of Promise
Pencils of Promise builds schools and provides educational programming to increase literacy rates in Ghana, Guatemala, Laos, and Nicaragua. Since its founding in 2008, the schools built by Pencils of Promise have served thousands of students. In addition to focusing on literacy and education, Pencils of Promise also helps provide safe places for children to attend school by working on water sanitation, as well as health and hygiene education.
For donors who care about…
- Global literacy and education
- Building schools in developing areas
- Children’s health and wellness
- Educational equality
- Global teacher training and support
How to Support Pencils of Promise
- Donate directly on their site.
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
6. Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a nonprofit addressing one startling reality: just 24% of computer engineers today are women. Over 300,000 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 have been reached by the nonprofit’s summer immersion programs, campus programs, and after school clubs, especially girls in historically under-represented groups.
For donors who care about…
- Gender equality in tech
- Empowering girls
- STEM Education
How to Support Girls Who Code
- Donate directly on their site.
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant.
- Start an after-school club.
7. The New Teacher Project
The New Teacher Project is a nonprofit working to stop education inequality by training highly effective, motivated teachers through their fellowship programs. In addition, The New Teacher Project has decades of research published demonstrating that education inequality is real, senseless, and that well-trained, well-supported teachers play a vital role in boosting the educational outcomes in lower-income areas. Over 37,000 teachers have been trained in their programs.
For donors who care about…
- Public education
- Supporting teachers
- Improving teacher compensation
- Teacher effectiveness and motivation
- Educational inequality in the U.S.
How to Support The New Teacher Project
- Donate directly on their site.
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant.
8. Barbershop Books
Barbershop Books, Inc. is a nonprofit literacy organization based in New York City that distributes fun-to-read, kid-approved books to more than 200 participating barbershops and other community partners nationwide. Barbershop Books is dedicated to inspiring Black boys and other vulnerable children to become lifelong readers through culturally responsive and community-based content and programming that primarily involves men in boys’ early reading experiences. In fall 2021, the nonprofit launched a supplemental literacy program for first-graders to support inclusive, diverse reading experiences in schools and at home.
For donors who care about…
- Empowering boys
- Community-based education
- Culturally responsive curriculums
- Diversity in teaching materials
How to Support Barbershop Books
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Sponsor a reading space at a barbershop
9. Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing high-quality early education programs for preschool children from under-resourced communities. Jumpstart’s curriculum includes language, literacy, and social-emotional programming, and to date, the program is currently found in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The organization also connects families to resources they can use outside of the classroom. Since 1993, Jumpstart has trained over 58,000 college students and community volunteers to impact the lives of over 133,000 preschool children nationwide.
For donors who care about…
- Early education and literacy
- Dismantling structural racism
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Affordable higher education
How to Support Jumpstart
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Become an advocate
- Purchase Jumpstart merchandise
10. Education Trust
The Education Trust (or Ed Trust) is a national education equity organization committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for all students, from preschool through college—particularly historically underserved students disproportionately affected by inequitable policy and practice. Ed Trust works alongside educators, advocates, and policymakers to research, identify the causes of educational inequity and support the policies and practices that help expand access to higher education for students of color and students from low-income families.
For donors who care about…
- Equity in education
- Inclusive higher education policies
- College- and career readiness
- Preparing students for the real world
How to Support Education Trust
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Join the movement and sign up for emails
11. 826 Valencia
826 Valencia is a nonprofit organization that empowers under-resourced 6 to 18 year olds by strengthening their creative writing skills through free afterschool programs, college and career preparation, summer learning, and workshops. Founded in 2002 by educator Nínive Calegari and author Dave Eggers, the organization also offers tutor support and other resources to help teachers inspire their students to write. There are three 826 Valencia writing centers in San Francisco, plus three satellite classrooms at nearby public schools. Its successful model has also led to similar writing and tutoring centers launching nationwide; 826 Valencia is one of nine official 826 chapters in the U.S.
For donors who care about…
- Uplifting communities of color
- Nurturing creative expression
- Supporting San Francisco youth
- Shaping the next generation of writers
How to Support 826 Valencia
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Become a volunteer: Donate your professional services or tutor
- Visit their store for gifts and gear
12. Reading Partners
Reading Partners is a San Francisco-based children’s literacy nonprofit that trains community volunteers to deliver individualized, one-on-one tutoring and host small group programs for students in over 40 school districts nationwide. The organization works with schools to identify pupils reading several months to two and a half years behind grade level and provide classrooms with a library, teaching tools, and staff. Students also pair with trained volunteers to improve their critical reading skills and increase their academic and social ability.
For donors who care about…
- Educational equity
- Building confident, lifelong readers
- Family engagement and literacy
- Community engagement and volunteerism
How to Support Reading Partners
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Volunteer at a reading center
- Join the AmeriCorps
13. Pop Culture Classroom
Pop Culture Classroom is a nonprofit organization based in Colorado that uses pop culture media and sequential art and storytelling to create year-round education and literacy programs that motivate and engage students to learn. The program was started in 2012 to provide high quality, all-inclusive educational resources and educational workshops to teachers, schools, libraries, and community organizations around the Denver Metro Area. They also promote critical thinking, creative thinking, and social-emotional learning through alternative pop culture-fueled educational approaches such as digital boot camps, in-house comics, graphic novel teaching guides, afterschool arts programs, and other school-based events.
For donors who care about…
- Literacy and the arts
- Inclusive learning communities
- Progressive teaching methods
- Diversity in education
How to Support Pop Culture Classroom
- Donate directly on their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Attend an event
14. Story Pirates
Story Pirates Changemakers is the nonprofit arm of The Story Pirates, an arts media company and education organization, working with schools across the country since 2004 and serving over 150 elementary schools and community-based groups in the greater New York City and Los Angeles areas. The Story Pirates is a group of musicians, comedians, artists, bestselling authors, and educators. Some of their engaging education resources and tools include several albums based on kids’ ideas, creative writing workshops, live-streamed classes, comedy sketches and songs, three critically acclaimed children’s books, and an award-winning podcast named one of the world’s best for kids and families.
For donors who care about…
- Arts in education
- Middle-grade students
- Digital literacy programs
- Creative learning for kids at home
How to Support Story Pirates
- Donate directly to Story Pirates Changemakers
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Buy a Story Pirates T-shirt
- Listen to the podcast
15. Jackie Robinson Foundation
The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) is a national nonprofit organization committed to bridging the achievement gap in higher education. The JRF was established by Rachel Robinson, the wife of Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, to provide educational opportunities to minority college students with a financial need. The Foundation offers four-year scholarships, leadership development programs, hands-on mentoring, and job placement opportunities. Since 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation has awarded over $95 million in grants and direct support to 1,700 JRF Scholars from more than 260 colleges and universities.
For donors who care about…
- Equity in higher education
- Shaping tomorrow’s leaders
- Civic engagement
How to Support the Jackie Robinson Foundation
- Donate directly to their site
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
- Support the Jackie Robinson Museum project
- Explore other ways to give back
Jackie Robinson Foundation
The Jackie Robinson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that “has continued Robinson’s commitment to equal opportunity by addressing the achievement gap in higher education” and provided “generous, multi-year scholarship awards coupled with a comprehensive set of support services to highly motivated JRF Scholars and Extra Innings Fellows attending colleges and universities throughout the country.”
For donors who care about…
- Higher education funding
- Racial and economic justice
- Mentorship and career support
- Community support
How to Support Story Pirates
- Donate directly to Jackie Robinson Foundation
- Shop and donate your cash back using Giving Assistant
Explore other ways to support support Jackie Robinson Foundation
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