Susan Riley | September 2013

Earn Some Extra Cash for your Class

I bet you have great ideas.  In fact, I bet your ideas are so big and creative and bright that your school can’t afford to pay for them.  Have no fear!  Your ideas don’t have to be shuttered – there are fantastic new ways that you can get the artful funding you need to pay for the projects and initiatives your students deserve.  For today’s Free Friday, we’re providing you with a resource sheet that shares four crowdsourcing websites specially designed for educators.  Now, you can fund your programs and engage your community at the same time.

Think of crowdsourcing as the 21st century benefactor to the arts.  At any of these sites, simply register for an account, describe your project and set up your budget.  Do you need money for arts supplies?  Maybe a set of classroom instruments or an arts integration cart.  Whatever your initiative, make your description clear, accurate, and appealing.  Then, others who scan the site can find your project and if it aligns with their values and goals, they can donate to your cause.  There are so many ways to utilize this type of donation and fundraising system – take a look at our resource for some ideas!

Earn Some Extra Cash for your Class, Education Closet

Download the Artful Funding Resource

About the Author

Susan Riley is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM. This is the world’s largest online resource for educators interested in integrating the arts. She has presented at events and authored articles for many educational organizations including The US Department of Education, Palmetto State Arts Education, Edutopia, Education Week, Americans for the Arts, ASCD, and NPR. She regularly presents at national and international events each year. She is the author of three books and is a sought-after collaborator for innovative educational projects around the globe. Susan brings creativity, practicality, dedication and passion to the education landscape. She is well-respected for her pioneering work in the fields of Arts Integration and STEAM education with a standards-based approach. As an educator who taught for 10 years in public schools, as well as served in central office leadership, she understands the fast-paced change, challenges and promise of 21st century schools. As an entrepreneur, she has successfully taken what was once a simple education blog and developed it into a rapidly-growing and highly-respected educational institution. Her team of 15+ teachers, leaders and coaches support over over 500,000 educators each month worldwide. Susan holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and a Master of Science in Education Administration from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. She lives in Westminster, MD with her husband and daughter. Email Susan