Last year U.S. Cellular funded $1.1 million in classroom requests at DonorsChoose.org as part of their Calling All Teachers campaign, and this year they’re at it again! Starting in September, $1 million in funding will be provided to projects across 25 states thanks to U.S. Cellular’s supreme generosity; teachers can prepare for this spectacular event now by registering as a “U.S. Cellular Teacher.” They must select the “U.S. Cellular Teacher” affiliation and must submit a new project between August 1 and September 15 to have their project(s) considered, but this doesn’t guarantee funding. Projects will be hand-picked for funding at the discretion of U.S. Cellular in the fall.
Here’s how to sign up as a U.S. Cellular Teacher
- Sign into your teacher account at DonorsChoose.org or create one if you’re a first-timer.
- On your main account page, click “update affiliations” (or if you’re creating a new account, you’ll have the option to choose your Teacher Affiliations during the process).
- Scroll down and check the box marked “U.S. Cellular Teacher,” then click the “Next” button at the bottom of the page.
- On the next screen, click “I agree” and you’ll return to your main account page (or if you’re creating a new account, you’ll move forward in the registration process). Now you are classified as a “U.S. Cellular Teacher” and in the fall any projects you have posted will be considered for U.S. Cellular funding.
I tried to sign up for the affiliation but it is not available. Help?
Comment by Camile — May 17, 2010 at 8:52pm
Hi Camile – this opportunity is only available in 25 select states. Teachers from ineligible states will be unable to see the US Cellular affiliation option. Here’s the full list of eligible states.
Comment by Zach — May 18, 2010 at 2:48pm
I tried to put in for a US cellular teacher but was unable to check “next” to then continue with the registration.
Comment by Julie Frederick — May 20, 2010 at 1:55pm
Hi Julie – Sorry for the trouble. I just signed you up as a US Cellular teacher, though. You should be all set! Thanks!
Comment by Zach — May 20, 2010 at 2:37pm
I would like to sign up also but it wont allow me access to the page.
Comment by terri — May 24, 2010 at 7:12am
Are current projects eligible for this funding?
Thanks
Comment by Kari Schany — June 7, 2010 at 7:56pm
Do we have any info on the criteria U.S. Cellular will use to choose projects to fund?
Comment by Jennifer Knopf — June 19, 2010 at 5:58pm
If I register as a US Cellular teacher, does it preclude me from taking advantage of other corporate donation opportunities?
Comment by Juliet — June 20, 2010 at 6:15pm
Hi Jennifer – No, we don’t yet know what criteria US Cellular will use in choosing projects to fund.
Comment by Zach — June 25, 2010 at 6:05pm
Hi Juliet. No worries – registering as a US Cellular teacher will most definitely not preclude you from any other funding opportunities.
Comment by Zach — June 25, 2010 at 6:06pm
I tried to sign up for the affiliation but it is not available. Help?
Comment by Sylvia Barrera — July 3, 2010 at 11:05am
I tried to sign up as a US Cellular teacher but the page does not come up.
Thanks,
Tonya
Comment by Tonya Bond — July 5, 2010 at 2:29pm
Hi Tonya & Sylvia – we’ve just made sure you guys are signed up as US Cellular teachers, so you should be all set! Thanks!
Comment by Zach — July 6, 2010 at 10:04am
I signed up but it does not show up on my account page…. Did I do something wrong?
Comment by Tammy — July 8, 2010 at 8:23pm
Hi! I cannot see an affliations link on my page to add US Cellular to my affliations. Can anyone help?
Comment by T. Denise Taylor — July 21, 2010 at 11:28am
I cannot add US celluar.
Comment by T. Denise Taylor — July 21, 2010 at 11:29am
And if we are not a US Cellular customer? Please advise. Thank you!
Comment by Susan DuFresne — July 21, 2010 at 3:34pm
The qualifications state that the teacher “must submit a new project between August 1 and September 15 to have their project(s) considered.” Will projects submitted in July (but with no funding yet) be considered or should I resubmit these projects after August 1?
Comment by Josh Cline — July 22, 2010 at 5:39pm
I also would like my new projects that were posted in July to be considered, do I need to cancel and resubmit them on or after August 1st?
Comment by Irene — July 23, 2010 at 2:15am
I am also wondering if projects submitted prior to August 1st will be considered. Thanks!
Comment by Linda — July 25, 2010 at 3:41pm
Hi! I just submitted a proposal and would like it to be considered for the US Cellular donations. Since I submitted it early will that mean that it will not be considered? Would it make sense for me to resubmit it? Thank you.
Comment by Helen — July 26, 2010 at 3:46pm
I submitted my project early. May I cancel and resubmit my project?
Comment by Eric — July 28, 2010 at 9:05pm
Hi! I also just submitted a proposal and would like it to be considered for the US Cellular donations. Can I cancel and resubmit my project on August1st? Thanks
Comment by Anita Kirk — July 28, 2010 at 10:17pm
I am already a US Cellular teacher. I currently have an open project. I came to this sight from the US Cellular website. It says that you have to submit a new project between August1st and September 15th for it to be considered. Is there anyway to have a project that is already opened considered? If I had known, I would have waited to start my project. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Comment by Kailtynn — July 29, 2010 at 12:20pm
Is there a limit to what we can ask for?
Comment by Juanita — August 3, 2010 at 11:38am
Hi!, I submitted a project on July 30, but it was not posted until Aug 3. Will this project be considered for funding?
Comment by Keri — August 3, 2010 at 8:07pm
I, too, had a couple projects posted the end of July. I would love for them to be considered for the US Cellular funding. They haven’t had any funding yet. Any way for these to get re-submitted to an Aug. 1st date?
Comment by Laura — August 4, 2010 at 1:20pm
I am also wondering about resubmitting July projects. When is the Aug. deadline for summer vacation reimbursement of pts.? Is it Aug. 1 or 31?
Comment by kim dennis — August 7, 2010 at 12:24pm
It’s disappointing that my sate is not included in this or any other grants this month. :(
Comment by Nancy Foote — August 8, 2010 at 1:09am
My project was submitted before the actual sign up time- is there any way to resubmit the project so it could be considered?
Comment by fran rife — August 10, 2010 at 4:06pm
I, too, need to know if my projects submitted prior to August will be considered. I didn’t see an answer on the message board…
Comment by Cathy — August 10, 2010 at 10:04pm
The update affiliations option is not available on my account page.
Am I doing something wrong? Thanks for the help!
Comment by Lynn — August 11, 2010 at 7:26pm
I posted projects in June for U.S. Cellular when I read about the contest in our local paper. Do the projects I have posted count or can I resubmit etc. Thanks
Comment by Cathy Houchin — August 12, 2010 at 12:47pm
What are the requirements for the US Cellular projects and is there a $400 limit?
Comment by Darlene Black — August 12, 2010 at 10:29pm
Thanks for the great questions teachers! Projects eligible for funding from U.S. Cellular don’t have to meet any specific price limit or subject matter/grade level. Starting in late September and running through October, U.S. Cellular will fund projects throughout their 25-state region. If you’re project costs $1,000 but is really compelling, they may fund it! Same thing if your project only costs $300.
In order for your project to qualify for U.S. Cellular funding, it had to be submitted starting August 1. Projects submitted in June or July will most likely not qualify, so be sure to submit another project if you are interested in this funding opportunity. If you remove/delete a live project you already submitted, you will not be reimbursed those points.
Thanks teachers for all of your interest! We’re so thrilled that U.S. Cellular is donating $1 million to make your classroom needs a reality!
Comment by Kirk — August 16, 2010 at 9:02am
I wrote a grant back in June. I hope that US Cellular will consider funding it. I am a US Cellular teacher! The grant is called “Kindergarten Story Station.”
Comment by Tammy — August 16, 2010 at 9:03pm
I cannot find the “update affiliations” on my DonorChoose.org account. I would like to register to be a U.S. Cellular Teacher.
Can you help me?
Carol Krieger
Comment by Carol Krieger — August 19, 2010 at 12:50am
Carol, you are all set and registered as a U.S. Cellular Teacher!
Comment by Kirk — August 19, 2010 at 9:27am
I commented earlier that I could not find “update affiliations” but I finally found it under My School Info on the left side of my account page.
Comment by Carol Krieger — August 19, 2010 at 9:32am
my project was submitted on July 27, 2010. Is there anyway to resubmit my project so that it can be considered for funding?
Comment by Jan Hogan — August 22, 2010 at 11:06am
Jan,
U.S. Cellular will only consider projects posted since August 1 when choosing which ones to fund. If you have enough points in your account, you can submit a new project.
Comment by Kirk — August 22, 2010 at 6:38pm
I submitted a project within the stated date guidelines and it was recently posted. At the top of the project page it says “requested on July 21, 2010″ I think this was the date I started working on it as a draft, but it wasn’t actually submitted until aug 20th. Just checking to make sure this project will be considered for funding. THANKS!
Comment by Virginia — August 23, 2010 at 5:40pm
Virginia,
You’re all set. U.S. Cellular is only concerned with the date the project was submitted (August 20 for yours), and not the date you started the draft. Thanks for checking!
Comment by Kirk — August 23, 2010 at 10:34pm
Hello, my problem is that the items for the project I want to create are not available on the ematerials site. No vendor has what I am looking for. Is there any other way to submit a grant to US Cellular. I am a first time grant project writer and only have 3 points. The items I want are not available from these vendors so I haven’t had any projects granted and therefore can’t earn any more points. Can you help me? Thank you so much.
Comment by Alana — August 24, 2010 at 5:17pm
Each time I attempt to submit my info for the affliations I only return to the same screen. I am not able to validate my entry with “I agree”.
Comment by Bernadette Barnett — August 25, 2010 at 7:31am
Bernadette, I made sure you were affiliated as a US Cellular teacher, so you’re all set now. Don’t forget to submit a project by September 15. Thanks!
Comment by Kirk — August 25, 2010 at 9:32am
Hi Alana-
Sorry to hear you’re having trouble finding the materials you’re looking for! We can’t make exceptions to the 6 point requirement for special request projects, but our staff can give you a hand in finding what you need in eSchoolMall. Send us a note through our teacher contact form (https://secure.donorschoose.org/contact/contact_form.html?userType=teacher) and we’ll do our best to help you out or answer any other questions you have!
Comment by Risa- DonorsChoose.org Customer Service — August 27, 2010 at 1:14pm
I am unable to register with DonorsChoose as WI is not listed as an eligible state. However, US Cellular has WI listed as being eligible to register for projects through DonorsChoose. What do I need to do to submit a project?
Comment by Janine Coley — August 30, 2010 at 3:09pm
Janine,
Wisconsin teachers are definitely eligible to register as U.S. Cellular teachers. Please try to register again as a teacher at http://www.donorschoose.org/teacher
Comment by Kirk — August 30, 2010 at 4:45pm
I live in Florida and am not in the 25 states that US Cellular is donating to at this time, is US Cellular going to look at fulfulling projects in the other states at any point?
Thanks!
Comment by Kelly — September 5, 2010 at 7:20am
Kelly, US Cellular is only funding projects in the 25 states in which they do business. Sorry that Florida isn’t one of those, but there are plenty of other opportunities to get funded at DonorsChoose.org.
Comment by Kirk — September 7, 2010 at 9:14am
Hi! I am a teacher in Chicago. My project was requested Aug 31, and was posted Sept 2. I just registered to be a US Cellular affiliate today, Sept 9. Will my project still be considered? Thanks!
Comment by Meaghan — September 9, 2010 at 8:18pm
Meaghan,
Yes, your project will be considered. Thanks for submitting one!
Comment by Kirk — September 9, 2010 at 8:28pm
Hello greetings in the name of JesusChrist,
I am a teacher in India. Is there any opportunity to me to submit a project. Because here Iam giving free education by demonstrating the love of JesusChrist.Here we have need of permanant shelter and furniture because the children are sitting on the floor.Pls iam requesting you to consider me. If there is a positive response from u, there will be no person on this earth like us to be happy.
Love, Hope and Prayers
Grace
Comment by grace — September 10, 2010 at 2:26am
Grace,
DonorsChoose.org only works with public schools in the United States. Best wishes.
Comment by Kirk — September 10, 2010 at 9:28am
[...] to share with teachers with great ideas for their classes. Teachers can submit their projects at DonorsChoose.org for a chance to win part of the $1 million. The deadline is September 15. This is your chance to [...]
Pingback by Win a Grant for Your School! | Jefferson City Magazine — September 10, 2010 at 4:14pm
My project was funded by U.S. Cellular- it is easy to complete! We received an indoor greenhouse and fantastic supplies to start our school garden. It is the gift that keeps giving. Thanks Donors Choose and U.S. Cellular!
Comment by Michelle — September 11, 2010 at 12:08pm
Thanks to US Cellular for supporting teachers! When will we find out if our projects were funded?
Comment by Megahn — September 13, 2010 at 7:16pm
Megahn,
US Cellular will start funding projects in early October, and if you get funded, you’ll be notified that they were the donor.
Comment by Kirk — September 13, 2010 at 7:33pm
I submitted a project yesterday, but it is not yet posted to the website. If it does not get posted until after the 15th will it still qualify for the US Cellular funding?
Comment by Jessica — September 13, 2010 at 8:47pm
Jessica,
Yes, projects submitted by September 15th qualify, even if they aren’t posted until after that date.
Comment by Kirk — September 14, 2010 at 9:05am
Thank you so much!!!
Comment by Jessica — September 14, 2010 at 2:39pm
Is this only available to “public school” teachers, or can “private school” teachers apply for the US Cellular projects also?
Comment by Dave — September 14, 2010 at 11:25pm
Dave,
DonorsChoose.org only serves public and charter schools in the US.
Comment by Kirk — September 15, 2010 at 9:28am
Come on Donor’s Choose!
I have been trying to post 2 project for 2 weeks with the same reply, “need more info” So much for trying to make the deadline! It takes several days for a reply from you.
Comment by Janet — September 15, 2010 at 5:10pm
Janet,
Don’t worry, as long as your first attempt to submit your project was before September 15, it will still qualify once it gets posted. Thanks for your diligence!
Comment by Kirk — September 15, 2010 at 5:15pm
I know I should have started this sooner, but I never thought that the time stamp would be in a different time zone than I live in. I edited my descriptions to get them just right, and submitted just after 11pm Central time. What a shock to see the date submitted display Sept. 16th! Guess I didn’t make it, huh? :)
Comment by Heather — September 16, 2010 at 12:26am
Heather,
No worries, we’ll make sure your project still qualifies. Thanks for submitting one!
Comment by Kirk — September 16, 2010 at 9:15am
I ‘requested’ a project in July (when I started forming the idea), but did not formally finish the request and submit the project until August 5. Will the project still qualify since it was submitted after August 1?
Comment by Anna — September 17, 2010 at 10:21pm
I am a couple days late on submitting one in. I had 3 submitted but they got funded by Sonic. I am crossing my fingers hoping they will bend the rules and let mine slide through.
Comment by Becky — September 19, 2010 at 9:50pm
Anna,
Yes, your project should qualify since it was submitted after August 1. Thanks!
Comment by Kirk — September 20, 2010 at 9:23am
First of all, thank you for supporting so many classroom, what a wonderful cause! I was wondering if you happened to know when the money is expected to be grated to the individual projects? Thanks again.
Comment by Kate — September 21, 2010 at 8:41pm
Kate,
U.S. Cellular will start funding projects ($1 million total!) in mid-October, and all funds will be applied by October 22.
Comment by Kirk — September 22, 2010 at 4:23pm
The opion to become a U.S. cellular teacher is still available but it says only projects submitted before Sep 15th, has there been an extension?
Comment by Cindy — September 22, 2010 at 6:50pm
Cindy,
Yes, the option is still available, but no, the deadline has not been extended. You can still affiliate as a U.S. Cellular teacher though to participate in future funding opportunities.
Comment by Kirk — September 23, 2010 at 9:04am
when will the selected projects be announced?
Comment by Betsy — September 24, 2010 at 11:07pm
Betsy,
U.S> Cellular will start funding projects in mid-October, and all funds will be applied by October 22, so you’ll know for sure by then.
Comment by Kirk — September 26, 2010 at 9:49pm
When will the selection process take place to determine which projects will be funded?
Comment by Michele — October 1, 2010 at 3:25pm
Michele,
U.S. Cellular will start funding projects in mid-October. We don’t know exactly which date funding will begin, but we know it’ll be completed by October 22. U.S. Cellular will select the projects right before funding them.
Comment by Kirk — October 1, 2010 at 3:28pm
I had a project partially funded by Sonic and it was submitted by the deadline. I’m a US Cellular teacher. Will it be eligible for the funding?
Comment by stacy mcgough — October 1, 2010 at 9:38pm
I have my fingers crossed!!! I am hoping that US Cellular comes through for my students! Our project was posted on Sept. 16th, but we submitted before the deadline. Hope that qualifies my students to win their project! We won one project through LimeadesforLearning, but we have another one we need for our classroom! Thanks for helping bring materials to classrooms!
Comment by Andrea — October 3, 2010 at 9:16pm
Andrea,
Your project will certainly qualify for consideration from US Cellular. Good luck! And so glad you had a project funded through Limeades for Learning, too!
Comment by Kirk — October 4, 2010 at 9:38am
Stacy,
Yes, even if your project is already partially funded, it can still be eligible for funding from US Cellular. Good luck!
Comment by Kirk — October 4, 2010 at 9:39am
I was wondering when the grants from US Cellular will be ending. I submitted a project on August 26 but just realized you had to be affiliated with US Cellular. Will my project still be considered? I received a grant a few years ago from US Cellular which I am very grateful for but I did not have to have a box marked that I was affiliated with them.
Comment by Suzanne Gaskill — October 11, 2010 at 7:16pm
Suzanne,
Unfortunately, if you weren’t already designated as a U.S. Cellular teacher, your project was most likely not passed on to the company for funding consideration. They are only looking at projects submitted from teachers who affiliated as a US Cellular teacher during the months of August and September.
Comment by Kirk — October 12, 2010 at 9:49am
When will we find out if U.S. Cellular choose our project?
Comment by Kristen — October 14, 2010 at 10:51am
Kristen,
You’ll know by October 22 at the latest!
Comment by Kirk — October 14, 2010 at 10:53am
Did anybody get funded yet? :)
Comment by Ileen — October 17, 2010 at 10:33pm
Ileen,
U.S. Cellular will apply their funding by this Friday, so stay tuned!
Comment by Kirk — October 18, 2010 at 10:28am
Kirk, you mentioned above that US Cellular will select the projects right before funding them, does that mean that a logo will appear by our project? Or will we receive notification only after funding? Thanks, and have a great week!
Comment by Brook — October 18, 2010 at 8:13pm
Brook,
No, no U.S. Cellular logo will appear on your project until after it is funded. You will receive notification once the funding is applied. Good luck!
Comment by Kirk — October 19, 2010 at 9:24am
Hi US Cellular Teachers,
Due to a delay, US Cellular won’t start funding projects until next week, but you will know by the end of October if your project was selected for funding.
Good luck!
Comment by Kirk — October 21, 2010 at 2:07pm
Thanks for the update Kirk!
Comment by Thanks — October 22, 2010 at 3:29pm
I just submitted 2 projects. Hopefully Donorschoose will ok before the end of the week. Can I still be selected?
Comment by lyn Almustafa — October 24, 2010 at 6:58pm
Lyn,
Projects had to be submitted by 9/15 in order to qualify for this opportunity. We wish you luck getting funded by our other fantastic donors!
Comment by Kirk — October 25, 2010 at 9:38am
I see on the blog that US Cellular would be posting funded projects on October 22. I don’t see any projects funded yet and was wondering if the post date has been extended?
Comment by Kym D. — October 25, 2010 at 1:40pm
I can’t wait to see if my project is funded by US Cellular! What an exciting thing that would be! Thank you for supporting our schools and our students!!
Comment by Sara A — October 26, 2010 at 1:57pm
Thank you US Cellular!!!!!! Your support of education is very appreciated!
Comment by Jessica — October 28, 2010 at 7:04am
Kirk, has all of the US Cellular funding been completed? There were 15 projects posted by US Cellular teachers (by 9/15) at our school and none have received funding yet (and we’re in a US Cellular state). We thought at least 1 or 2 might get funded.
Comment by Linda — October 28, 2010 at 9:13am
Linda,
Nope, we’re only about 40% of the way through the funding process. All funding will be applied by midnight on Friday, so stay tuned!
Jessica,
So happy you were funded!
Comment by Kirk — October 28, 2010 at 9:14am
Yay! Thanks U.S. Cellular! My students and I are so excited!
Comment by Mary — October 28, 2010 at 12:38pm
Have you gotten around to the state of Virginia yet?
Comment by Demetria — October 28, 2010 at 8:49pm
Woohoo! Thank you US Cellular! I believe!
Comment by Ileen — October 28, 2010 at 10:08pm
YAY!!!!!Thank you U.S Cellular!!for funding my project.
Comment by Wendy — October 28, 2010 at 10:56pm
THANK YOU U.S. Cellular!My students and I look forward to receiving our materials!
Comment by Cecelia B — October 29, 2010 at 12:26am
Thank you US Cellular!!!! My students and I are thrilled and so grateful for you!!
Comment by Sara — October 29, 2010 at 1:22pm
THANK YOU U.S. Cellular for funding my classroom project!! It was so exciting to see the notification email. We are all very anxious to get our items to begin Space Mission: Read & Write! Again thanks for making a difference for my students!
Comment by Margaret — October 29, 2010 at 5:12pm
I’m ecstatic about your generous donation to my project! Thank you so much!
Comment by Mike — October 29, 2010 at 5:28pm
Are all the projects selected by now? I have been living in suspense for days….and nothing yet.
Comment by Jennifer — October 29, 2010 at 8:21pm
Jennifer,
Most of the projects have been selected and funded by now. US Cellular will be selecting a few more projects to fund to finish off a little bit of funding remaining in the $1 million campaign, so there’s still a small chance if you haven’t already been funded, but over $930,000 has already been applied to projects.
Comment by Kirk — October 29, 2010 at 8:28pm
Thank you, two of us at our school and department have been waiting. :( I am happy that so many other projects have been funded. It is amazing to see such generosity!
Comment by Jennifer — October 29, 2010 at 8:33pm
Thank you, US Cellular and donorschoose! Several teachers in our building, myself included have been funded. We are thrilled, and it will have a huge impact on our students!!!
Comment by Sarah — October 29, 2010 at 10:45pm
Oh the suspense, haven’t noticed funding in Southern California yet…still keeping my fingers crossed! Congrats to everybody:o)
Comment by Brook — October 29, 2010 at 11:36pm
US Cellular and Donorschoose, thank you for caring about our students. My students and I appreciate you for assisting one another in funding our project. We cannot wait until the materials arrive!
Comment by Cherina — October 30, 2010 at 12:04am
I have the same comment as Brook…will projects in So. California be part of the funding? We have several projects posted in our district and none have been funded. Congrats to those who have been funded. We’re still hopeful too!
Comment by Debbie — October 30, 2010 at 1:42am
Also waiting patiently in Southern California! Thank you!
Comment by Rachel — October 30, 2010 at 2:28am
Has U S Cellular finished he funding?
Comment by Cecelia B — October 30, 2010 at 7:58am
Thank you Thank you Thank you! I can not say it enough!! We are so excited to have our grant funded through Donors Choose and US Cellular. We are on our ways to becoming famous writers!!
Comment by Kara — October 30, 2010 at 11:18pm
Thank you US Cellular for funding mine and all the other projects. It is so wonderful that you are giving back and helping out education. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jennifer — October 31, 2010 at 5:12pm
Thank you for the generous funding!
Comment by Belinda — November 1, 2010 at 8:08am
Does anyone know if U.S. Cellular is planning on offering their amazing Calling All Teachers project funding support this fall (2011/2012 school year)? I’ve looked both here on Donors Choose and on U.S. Cellular’s website but see no reference to a current program.
Thank you for your help!
Comment by David Cosand — August 14, 2011 at 12:18pm
Hi David,
U.S. Cellular is currently evaluating their Calling All teachers program and finalizing partnership plans with DonorsChoose.org this Fall. We don’t have any news yet, but once we do, we will post on the blog. Fingers crossed!
Comment by Kirk — August 15, 2011 at 9:06am
I am from a state that has US Cellular and I am a US Cellular with US Cellular number, but I work in a state that does not have US Cellular. Can I still be eligible of this affiliation?
Comment by Samantha — August 28, 2011 at 11:15pm
Have we received any information about whether or not US Cellular will be offering the Calling All Teachers program for Fall 2011?
Comment by Christi — September 15, 2011 at 6:28pm