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5 Ways for Teachers to Fund EdTech Tools Without Spending Personal Money

  • Writer: Armie Marie Galang
    Armie Marie Galang
  • 1 minute ago
  • 5 min read
5 Ways for Teachers to Fund EdTech Tools Without Spending Personal Money

Teachers cover a lot of classroom needs with their own money. Plenty of people do not realize how common it is until they teach.


AdoptAClassroom.org reports that teachers spent an average of $895 out of pocket on school supplies during the 2024 to 2025 school year. That number adds up fast once you include items that keep learning moving, not just basic supplies.


Students also need more support than “one size fits all.” Some need extra practice. Some need a clear structure for turn-taking. Some need a quick way to show understanding without the same few voices answering every time. EdTech and classroom tools can help with that.


Tools also help you teach more efficiently. Quick checks for understanding save time. Participation tools support quieter students. Review tools keep pace and reduce debates. That is why so many teachers look for ways to bring in smart technology, pens, buzzers, and other classroom tools, even when budgets feel locked.


If you’re a teacher, this guide gives you five ways to fund tools without spending your own money. Each option includes a practical approach and a few guardrails so you stay aligned with school rules and student privacy.


Free Ways to Fund EdTech Tools


1) Apply for Federal and State Resources

Federal and state resources can fund technology when the request matches a real instructional need and a district goal. That match is what helps the request move forward.


How to start without getting stuck:

Start inside your school first. Ask one person who knows how purchasing works. An instructional coach, department chair, or media specialist usually has the fastest answer.


Next, keep your request simple and specific.

  • Name the classroom need: Participation stays low during review. Feedback takes too long. Students lose focus during transitions. Pick one issue you see often.

  • Describe the tool and the total cost: Write the name of the tool and what students will do with it. Include the total cost and what is included, so nobody has to chase details.

  • Explain how you will measure impact: Choose one or two measures you can track during a grading period. Participation count and exit ticket accuracy are easy to explain and easy to collect.


2) Apply for Grants

Grants can cover classroom tools and EdTech when your plan is clear and realistic. Grant reviewers want to picture the tool in use. They also want to know you can follow through.

Tip: Keep the grant tight and teachable.


Pick one tool for one class, one grade, or one unit. A narrow plan often beats a big plan.


  • What will you do with the tool? Describe the activity in plain language. Mention how often students will use it. Two times per week is a real plan.

  • What problem does the tool solve? Connect it to something you deal with now. Faster feedback. More students are participating. Clearer routines.

  • What will you track? Choose one clear data point. Exit tickets, a short pre- and post quiz, or participation tracking work well.


Where to look:

Local education foundations, PTA or PTO mini-grants, and community programs tend to be more approachable than national competitions. Those smaller grants can still fund a full set of tools.


3) Create a Wishlist Page Through Wishlist Management Portals

Wishlist portals work well when families and community members want to help but do not know what to buy. A wishlist turns support into something practical.

  • Keep the wishlist short and specific: Choose a few items people can understand quickly. Add a short description for each item that answers two questions: What will students do with it, and what classroom problem does it solve? DonorsChoose is one example of a teacher-focused portal that lets educators post classroom requests for support.

  • Share it in a district-friendly way: Use channels your school already approves. Some districts have strict rules around public requests. A quick check with your admin can prevent stress later.


4) Collaborate With Education-related Brands

Brand collaborations can provide free tools, paid partnerships, or both. This option can work well when you maintain a professional approach, adhere to district policy, and respect student privacy.


What collaboration can look like

Some brands offer a classroom set for feedback and content. Some also offer compensation for promotion. Rules depend on your district and your contract, so treat this like a real partnership.


Example teachers can picture

Trebisky Buzzers collaborates with micro and macro teacher influencers. Teachers receive free buzzers and monetary compensation for promoting the buzzers. Content often shows review games, participation routines, and fair turn-taking.




Student privacy still comes first. Skip student names. Avoid student faces unless your school and families have approved it through the correct process.


A simple way to stay safe

  1. Get the deliverables in writing.

  2. Confirm district rules allow the partnership.

  3. Plan content that can be filmed without identifying students.


5) Set Up a GoFundMe Account With District Rules and FERPA in Mind

Crowdfunding can help when you need a larger purchase. It also comes with more risk, especially around solicitations and student privacy.


  • Check policy before posting: Some districts allow crowdfunding with approval. Some route fundraising through a school foundation or PTA. Ask first. That one step protects you.

  • Keep the page FERPA safe: FERPA protects student education records. Keep crowdfunding pages general, and avoid student names, faces, or details that could identify a child.


Avoid including:

  • Student names or identifiable photos

  • Detailed stories that allow people to figure out who a student is

  • Descriptions that reveal private student information


Use a simple page structure:

  1. What do you want to buy?

  2. What will students do with it?

  3. How often will it be used?

  4. A general update you will share after it arrives


General updates are enough. Donors can feel connected without student details.


Key Takeaway

That $895 out-of-pocket average is a reminder that teachers continue to step in when funding falls short. You do it because you care and because you can see what students need right now. Still, your paycheck should not be the backup plan for classroom progress.


EdTech and classroom tools are not extras when they help students practice, participate, and stay engaged. A simple set of tools can change how often students respond, how quickly you can check understanding, and how fair the room feels during review.


Pick one need you want to fix first. Then choose one funding path from this list and take a small step this week. One short request. One grant application. One wishlist. One brand outreach. One policy-approved fundraiser. Small actions stack up, and you are more likely to get a “yes” when your plan is clear and focused.


If your school requires tax-exempt purchasing documentation, ask vendors whether they support tax-exempt orders. Trebisky supports tax-exempt status for eligible customers purchasing buzzers.


Sources and references


About Trebisky

Trebisky designs and sells game show-style buzzer systems that help teachers create structured, high-energy classroom review sessions without arguments over who answered first. Trebisky systems are used for trivia, test prep, checks for understanding, team competitions, and whole-class engagement routines. Teachers often choose Trebisky for clear lockout response, easy setup, and flexible game modes that work across subjects and grade levels.

 
 
 

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