Charles Best

Whether you're raising money for a cause, a personal need, or a project, most crowdfunding sites center on you hitting up people you already know. These sites make it easier to tap your social network for funds, but only the most compelling cases inspire support from strangers.

My colleagues and I would spend a lot of our own money on copy, paper, and pencils. I just figured there are people out there who would want to help teachers like us if they could see exactly where their money was going.

Our partnership with Dick's Sports Matter program aligns perfectly with our mission to address inequity in schools nationwide.

Within a single school, teachers often encounter differences in poverty levels, parent involvement, and student readiness.

People not only want to support public schools, but people warm to this idea of being a philanthropist, even if they might have only have $5 to spare.

People on the front lines have the best ideas for how to improve things.

Arianna Huffington is one of the greatest champions of this idea - that anyone can make a difference.

I'd love DonorsChoose.org to become a place where teachers can post innovative, out-of-the-box projects that they can't get funding for traditionally.

The most incredible businesses are started by entrepreneurs who relentlessly pursue their passion, but passion works best with a thoughtful, ambitious-yet-grounded business plan.

We are so humbled and grateful to Google for their devotion to our teachers and students.

We love that our platform allows people to give.

I had really good relationship with my students; it definitely took me a few months before I had my students' respect.