Nonprofit flash-funds all open North Carolina classroom projects on DonorsChoose
Exponential Scholars, a new nonprofit founded by Holly May, donated $2.25 million to fund every open North Carolina project on DonorsChoose, covering more than 3,200 classroom initiatives across over 1,000 schools. Teachers in the state spend an average of $1,632 of their own money annually on supplies, a 22% increase from the prior year, and the second-highest in the nation. The donation aims to ease that burden, as teacher salaries in North Carolina rank 43rd nationally.
The donation arrives as North Carolina teachers face a widening gap between out-of-pocket costs and stagnant pay. The $2.25 million covers roughly 3,200 projects, from basic supplies like pencils to lab equipment, across more than 1,000 schools. Exponential Scholars, founded by Holly May, targets gifted students in overlooked rural communities, reflecting her own path from a small town to Harvard via financial aid. The flash-funding model, previously used by Stephen Colbert and Ripple, has become a notable way to clear entire wishlists at once. DonorsChoose has facilitated nearly $2 billion in classroom support since 2000, with over 143,000 North Carolina projects funded to date.
This gift could temporarily relieve a chronic strain on teachers, who often subsidize their own classrooms while earning below national averages. By clearing all open requests, it may boost morale and free up personal funds for educators, potentially improving retention in a state ranked 43rd in pay. However, one-time philanthropy does not address systemic underfunding or salary gaps, and its impact may fade unless followed by sustained policy changes. Students in high-need schools could benefit most, but the broader challenge of equitable education funding remains.