About this episode

This episode features a discussion with Kristina "Steen" Joye Lyles about the innovative funding model of DonorsChoose and its impact on education.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show , host Stephen Garten sits down with Kristina "Steen" Joye Lyles , Executive Vice President of Impact for DonorsChoose . Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose has revolutionized philanthropy by creating a transparent, direct-to-classroom funding model. Steen shares her journey from lawyer to educational advocate, the organization's evolution over 26 years, and how they are leveraging two decades of data to prove that resource equity is the key to unlocking student potential. Show Notes and Key Takeaways The Origin Story: Founded by a Bronx history teacher named Charles Best who saw the need for a transparent way for the public to support specific classroom needs. A Unique Model: Unlike traditional nonprofits, DonorsChoose does not just send cash. They fulfill specific wish lists ranging from crayons to drones and ship resources directly to schools. The Power of Data: With over 1 million teachers on the platform, DonorsChoose uses real time classroom data to track trends like mental health needs and the digital divide. The I See Me Initiative: A groundbreaking effort launched in 2018 to support teachers of color and ensure students see…

People in this episode

Host: Stephen Garten

Guest: Kristina "Steen" Joye Lyles

Topics covered

• philanthropy
• education
• resource equity
• data utilization
• teacher support

Keywords

• DonorsChoose
• philanthropy
• classroom needs
• resource equity
• educational advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DonorsChoose

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