{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Blackwell Institute","outOfStateSupporters":32.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3144416,"projectId":6450935,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous support in helping me create a memorable, meaningful, and joy-filled end-of-year luau celebration for my incredible students. This project was more than just a party—it was a recognition of how far these young learners have come after such challenging times, and a celebration of their hard work, resilience, and growth.\r\n\r\nThe luau brought so much excitement and positive energy to our classroom. From the moment students walked in wearing their colorful leis, grass skirts, and sunglasses, their faces lit up with joy. The classroom was transformed into a Hawaiian oasis, filled with music, laughter, dancing, and learning. They especially loved the cultural games, crafts, and the opportunity to explore Hawaiian traditions and stories through books and activities. Even though the food was provided personally, your support made everything else possible—and unforgettable.\r\n\r\nWhat made this event truly special was the way it brought our class together one last time to reflect, connect, and celebrate in a fun and meaningful way. After such a difficult few years, this luau reminded my students that hard work is worth celebrating and that their curiosity and accomplishments deserve recognition.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me create such a positive, confidence-boosting experience for my students. Your kindness made a lasting memory for every single one of them.","fullyFundedDate":1651630351638,"projectUrl":"project/aloha-summer-tiki-time/6450935/","projectTitle":"Aloha Summer--Tiki Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3144416_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601494997405","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3144416"},{"teacherId":3144416,"projectId":5257780,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support of our classroom project! Because of your generosity, my students now have durable, individual book bags that allow them to take home their beloved books safely, proudly, and with ease.\r\n\r\nThis project built on the momentum and excitement created by our first DonorsChoose project, which provided us with a wonderful selection of culturally diverse books. Now, thanks to these book bags, my students can protect their books from damage and keep them organized—no more dropped books in the hallway or torn pages from being stuffed into backpacks! The bags have helped students take greater responsibility for their reading materials and treat them with the care and respect they deserve.\r\n\r\nThese seemingly simple items have made a big impact. Students now have a system for choosing, transporting, and returning their books, which has encouraged consistent, independent reading at home. They feel like real readers—just like the adults they look up to—carrying their books with pride and ownership.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, this project has helped me maintain the structure of our classroom lending library while supporting students' learning at home. It's also strengthened the connection between school and home reading habits, which is vital for literacy growth.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in not just our books, but in the systems that help make them accessible, loved, and lasting. You've made a practical and meaningful difference in our reading community.","fullyFundedDate":1604515970504,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-the-bags-to-carry-our-books-home/5257780/","projectTitle":"WE NEED THE BAGS TO CARRY OUR BOOKS HOME!!!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3144416_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601494997405","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3144416"},{"teacherId":3144416,"projectId":5215208,"letterContent":"Here's a heartfelt and thoughtful thank-you letter you can use to express gratitude to DonorsChoose and highlight the impact of the donation:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nDear DonorsChoose Team and Generous Supporters,\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for fully funding our project, \"My Students Want To Read Real Books While At Home!!!\" Your generous contribution made it possible for my students to build their own take-home libraries filled with culturally diverse and engaging books.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students now have the opportunity to continue their reading journeys beyond the classroom walls. The excitement on their faces when they received their books was truly unforgettable. Many of them hugged their books tightly, asking if they could start reading right away. These stories are more than just paper and ink—they are mirrors and windows into different cultures, ideas, and experiences that help my students better understand themselves and the world around them.\r\n\r\nDuring distance learning, access to high-quality, culturally relevant books can be limited, especially for students from low-income backgrounds. Your donation helped bridge that gap. You've given my students the chance to fall in love with reading all over again, to feel seen in the stories they read, and to keep learning even outside the classroom.\r\n\r\nEvery book funded has sparked curiosity, discussion, and joy. You've not only supported literacy—you've inspired future writers, thinkers, and lifelong readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us grow a love of reading that will last a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1603412488023,"projectUrl":"project/my-students-want-to-read-real-books-whil/5215208/","projectTitle":"My Students Want To Read Real Books While At Home!!!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3144416_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601494997405","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3144416"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_59983","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":92,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":98,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"3 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"5.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.0,"schoolId":59983,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Blackwell Institute on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Blackwell Institute","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/detroit-public-schools-community-district/blackwell-institute/59983"}
Join the 103 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Blackwell Institute is
an urban public school
in Detroit, Michigan that is part of Detroit Public Schools Community District.
It serves 92 students
in grades 3 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 5.4:1.
Its teachers have had 25 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
99%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Blackwell Institute Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Blackwell Institute
$14,764
raised using DonorsChoose
25
projects
funded
13
teachers
funded
103
donors
4
projects
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
technology
5
projects for
books
Blackwell Institute has received support from
70 individuals from Michigan and
33 individuals out-of-state.