AdoptAClassroom.org vs WhyDonate

AdoptAClassroom.org is a U.S.-focused nonprofit service that helps eligible educators obtain classroom supplies through donations. Teachers or school staff create a classroom or school page, donors contribute, and educators use the resulting credit to order items through an online marketplace. Donors can receive updates or a list of purchased supplies. The service says teachers receive 100% of online donations made to their classrooms, with no hidden fees, and educators can use funds without submitting project proposals. The marketplace carries products from more than 20 classroom and school supply companies, including books, office supplies, visual-learning materials, and instructional tools. Donations are account credit, not cash, and must be spent through the marketplace or Teacher Choice purchasing policy within one year. The organization also offers classroom grants, giveaways, and donation matches. Eligibility is limited to licensed teachers or certified staff at eligible U.S. schools and preschool programs; daycare programs are excluded. The web service is free for teachers.

WhyDonate is a free online fundraising platform with web and API access for individuals and organizations. Organizers can create campaigns for medical costs, memorials, education, emergencies, and community projects, adding a story, goal, and photos before sharing through built-in tools or social media. Fundraiser pages, donation forms, and emails can carry the organizer’s branding. The service supports recurring donations and provides a WordPress plugin, embeddable donation button, QR code collection, and Zapier connections to Google Sheets, Mailchimp, Salesforce, QuickBooks Online, and Slack. WhyDonate says fundraisers are supported in 100+ countries, 19 languages, and 119 currencies. Its plan costs nothing, with no sign-up fee, monthly cost, or platform fee; payment processing fees apply, and recurring donations incur a 3% platform fee from the second payment. Donor tips cannot be disabled. Identity verification precedes payout, while support is offered by chat, email, or scheduled phone appointments seven days weekly.