Atlanta Public Schools starts new partnership with crowdfunding website

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen reads to students on Thursday at Deerwood Academy during an announcement of a new partnership with the crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org. Submitted photo from APS

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen reads to students on Thursday at Deerwood Academy during an announcement of a new partnership with the crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org. Submitted photo from APS

Atlanta Public Schools has been chosen as one of 10 school districts to participate in a new program by the crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org.

APS announced on Thursday its selection as one of the first school systems selected for the online donation site's new District Partnership Program. The Atlanta district now has its own landing page on the DonorsChoose website to help potential donors find classroom projects within the school district.

The program allows APS to keep track of all items donated. DonorsChoose also announced it will provide matching funds of up to $250,000 raised by APS and the nine other school districts.

Atlanta teachers have long used the website to raise money for thousands of classroom projects and supplies. The district said $5.4 million has been raised through the website for APS projects since 2014.

Superintendent Meria Carstarphen announced the new partnership Thursday during a visit to Deerwood Academy.