You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Bates from Chicago, IL is requesting sports & exercise equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Bates is requesting

Small Footballs, Big Catches

Help me give my students age-appropriate footballs to ensure their physical development and safety during play.

  • $494 goal

This project expired on September 5, 2025.

This project expired on September 5, 2025.

My Project

Youth sized footballs are made to be easier for kids to handle. Students will be able to catch, throw, and kick much easier while using these smaller footballs. This helps young players develop their skills and coordination without the added challenge of managing a ball that's too large or heavy.

Youth sized balls are an important part of making sports accessible and enjoyable for children, helping them build skills, confidence, and a love for the game.

Using a ball that fits their size and strength can boost a child's confidence. When they're able to play effectively, they're more likely to enjoy the game and stay motivated.

Ms. Bates Cuffe Math Science Technical Academy Grades 3-5

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

80 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Bates is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Voit Tuff Coated Foam Footballs - 8 1/2" Mini - Prism Pack • Teachers' School Supply $115.30 3 $345.90

Materials cost

$345.90

Vendor shipping charges

$38.05

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.19

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$419.14

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$73.97

Total project goal

$493.11

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":false,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"IL","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":494,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/small-footballs-big-catches/9359617/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":80,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Bates","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-96662835","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Chicago","teachersOnPage":[9284947],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":false,"proposalId":9359617,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":5721,"schoolName":"Cuffe Math Science Technical Academy","authorIds":{"9284947":{"owner":"Ms. Bates","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9359617],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9284947_orig.png?crop=1169,1170,x0,y510&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705460004872","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":6,"teacherChallengeId":22235491,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":394,"proposalURL":"project/smash-into-pe-with-pickleball/9947211/","proposalTitle":"Smash Into PE with Pickleball","proposalId":9947211},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":9284947,"schoolCounty":"Cook","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"IL","name":"Illinois"}}