GoGuardian Gives
A program designed to show our support for the amazing work teachers do.
We know that many educators like you use money from your own pockets for school supplies, student’s clothing, and even food to keep kids fed over the weekends and breaks. In the wake of natural disasters, some of you also help rebuild classrooms and homes, and then still find extra time and resources to dedicate to your students. In fact, the average teacher in America spends almost $500 a year on classroom supplies. We want to help!
GoGuardian Gives is a program designed to show our support for the amazing work teachers do. The idea is simple: you tell us what you need, and if your project is selected, we’ll support you with a donation. Our hope is that this program will raise awareness around gaps in school funding, while directly helping teachers and students.
Here's how it works
Every month we’ll award $1,000 to an educator-led initiative(s) via DonorsChoose.org.
To apply, simply:
- Register and start a project at DonorsChoose.org;
- Fill out the form below with a link to your project;
- Keep doing your good work!
Our team will review the applications on a monthly basis and select a project to fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of projects are you looking for?
We’re looking for projects that have the biggest positive impact on students. That could be anything! Classroom materials, first aid kits, pillows for reading zones. If you need it, we want to know about it. The only thing we’re not looking for are requests for GoGuardian licenses.
- Why use DonorsChoose.org instead of giving the money directly to teachers?
Because they’re really, really good at this! DonorsChoose specializes in funding classroom projects. They’ve mobilized donors to give more than $1 billion and fund over 1.7 million projects. They take care of the hard parts of giving, including vetting requests, purchasing items, and shipping materials directly to verified schools and their commitment to efficiency and transparency has been recognized by Charity Navigator with their highest rating. Working with them makes it easy to give. Learn more about DonorsChoose.org.
- Why not just make GoGuardian free?
We’d love to, but GoGuardian is a business. Because our team has specific talents, backgrounds, and interests, we’ve chosen to try to realize our vision by building the best possible tools for teachers and students to communicate and collaborate. For more information about our approach to edtech, check out this post from our CEO, Advait Shinde.
GoGuardian Gives Winners
Showcasing Holidays Around the World
My students come from all over the world and celebrate a variety of different holidays and cultural traditions. They love sharing their traditions and seeing themselves represented in books. In addition, we do a Holidays Around the World unit where we learn about many different celebrations. As we read and discuss each book, we will be incorporating skills from all parts of the second-grade curriculum such as reading comprehension, language and writing strategies, map skills, and vocabulary. Our students will use their knowledge to connect to their own cultures and learn about others around them.
There Was a Second Grade Class That Swallowed Some Books
My second-grade class loves to read a series of funny and hilarious books. One of their favorite book series to read is There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a bell, turkey, spoon, some leaves, etc. This series is full of humor and wonder following an old lady consuming everything in her path. This series really helps my students pay attention to what they are reading because of how hilariously absurd it is. My students love this series not only because it is hilarious but also because they thoroughly enjoy reading.
The 4/4 Cello of Our Dreams
The beginning of the 2023-24 school year has shown that it will be amazing for my 8th grade orchestra students as well as my Chamber Orchestra. We have many exciting performance opportunities that we are lining up, leading into our 8th grade orchestra's performance at the Trills and Thrills Music Festival in May 2024. The Chamber Orchestra is planning on performances out in the community as well as in our state capital again for Music in Our Schools Month. Our music truly makes an impact on everybody they come in contact with. Our cello instrument inventory is aging at a rapid rate, which makes it difficult at times for all students to have an instrument in their hands. This year alone, we have to remove four cellos from our inventory, and many that remain are difficult to play on. We have eager, dedicated musicians who are always hungry to improve; now, they need to have access to instruments commensurate with their skill level. These musicians are taking true ownership in their ensembles and the musical selections, which leads to more pride and ownership in what we do. The Chamber Orchestra will be spreading kindness during the upcoming holiday season in the hallways of our school as well as at MacArthur Airport, performing music to help put listeners into the holiday spirit. In order to do this, we need quality instruments in our inventory to perform on. We are looking forward to sharing our music with the community at large!
Our Impact So Far
Founded in 2017 by Guardian Jessica Lee, the GoGuardian Gives program has impacted numerous organizations and shows no signs of stopping. From participating in awareness-raising American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) walks to assisting the LA Food Bank and inspiring students at career days and panels, Guardians don’t just stop there.
Over the course of three Daymaker campaigns from 2020 to 2021 — focused on back-to-school and holiday giving — 195 Guardians helped 317 children by raising $40.3K for everything from school supplies to gifts on their holiday wish lists. The team plans to continue back-to-school and holiday giving campaigns in 2022.
We know each Guardian has important causes they personally support, so GoGuardian leverages Percent Pledge to provide each employee with credits and matching funds to enable donations to charities of their choice. So far, GoGuardian and 160 employees have impacted 46 non-profits by donating $22,349 — with that number growing on a regular basis.