GoFundMe will match education donations to salute teachers

The crowdfunding site GoFundMe says it’s launching a “Thank a Teacher” fundraising campaign with the National PTA, pledging to match the first $100 in donations to education campaigns by and for teachers.

The initiative, which coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-8, encourages teachers to use the crowdfunding site to solicit donations to purchase classroom supplies. Usually, that’s something teachers will pay for themselves (at a cost of about $500 a year).

“Teachers shouldn’t be forced to reach into their pockets because of shrinking school budgets,” GoFundMe CEO Rob Solomon said in announcing the initiative.

To receive GoFundMe’s matching $100 donation, a campaign must be launched by May 8, identified with the hashtag #ThankATeacher in its description, and collect pledges of more than $100 from at least five donors by May 13.

Update: Here is the link with instructions on how to start a campaign.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

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