What happens to my points if my project is not fully funded or if I choose to remove it?
If your project is not fully funded...
DonorsChoose.org is not able to return points used to submit a project that has not been funded. A new teacher can submit 3 projects (assuming each is for materials under $400). There is a decent chance that all three projects will be funded (enabling the teacher to earn at least 9 points), a good chance that 2 of 3 projects will be funded (enabling the teacher to earn at least 6 points), and an excellent chance that 1 of 3 projects will be funded (enabling the teacher to earn at least 3 points). There IS a very small chance that a new teacher would not get any of his/her first 3 projects funded, but it's the job of DonorsChoose.org to make sure that if a teacher submits projects that are compelling, he/she should be funded at least once.
If by chance you end up with zero points and have no projects in process, please use the Contact Form for Teachers and we will work with you to ensure you can submit another project.
If you choose to remove your project...
Similarly, DonorsChoose.org is not able to return points used to submit a project which you later choose to remove. However, we know that summer vacation tends to be a time of transition. If you remove your project during our "grace period" from June through August, we will refund one point to your account when you remove a project (or 3 points if the project was a Special Request). Please note that we handle removal of Class Trip and Class Visitor requests on a case-by-case basis. For more information about removing a project, click here.
If you remove a project between September and May, no points will be returned to your account. The only exception would be teachers who are left with zero points and have no other projects in process. A teacher in this situation would automatically receive 1 point upon removal of their last active project.
