DonorsChoose.org
By donating money toward a particular classroom's needs, you can help teachers enrich student learning, which is particularly important as school districts grapple with budget cuts. DonorsChoose.org allows you to purchase gift cards (delivered via e-mail, your printer or snail mail) that your recipient can use to fund projects of their choice — from buying books to art supplies to digital cameras. If you want to choose a particular project yourself, the site also allows you to fund something in another person's name. Donors and honorees hear back from the classroom via email or, if you give $100 or more, via snail-mailed thank-you letters from the kids. DonorsChoose.org, which coordinates grants available to every public school in the U.S., spends about 92% of its funds on programs.