by Cynthia R.
Parents aren’t the only ones who buy back-to-school supplies every year. Most teachers have to shoulder part of that financial burden as well. According to AdoptAClassroom.org’s 2025 Annual Report, teachers spend an average of $895 out-of-pocket on classroom supplies, a 49% increase since 2015.
Amid rising costs for basic needs (groceries, gas, housing) and inadequate funding for public education in some states, many educators lack the resources to create the best possible learning environment for their students. That’s why charities like AdoptAClassroom.org are more critical than ever, and ACE Cash Express is proud to support their goal of bridging the funding gap.
How Does AdoptAClassroom.org Support Teachers Through Charitable Giving?
AdoptAClassroom.org believes all students should have the necessary supplies to succeed at school. The charity connects donors with classrooms in need, making it easy for people to support teachers and help students thrive. They give teachers flexible funding to spend on the tools that matter most to their students.
Since 1998, they have:
- Raised over $83 million
- Supported over 7.8 million students
- Adopted 337,000+ classrooms
This work promotes access to quality education in high-needs schools and has earned them significant recognition.
AdoptAClassroom.org is one of the most trusted educational charities in the country, holding the highest possible transparency rating from Candid, a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and the highest rating from the Better Business Bureau.
How Has ACE Cash Express Supported Classroom Funding?
For 13 years, ACE has proudly partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org. Together with its customers and employees, ACE has raised more than $878,000 to support classroom funding.
Most recently, ACE selected AdoptAClassroom.org as the charity of choice for its annual Give a Little campaign in May 2026. Associates at ACE stores across the country encouraged consumers to donate at checkout to help stock local classrooms with essential school supplies and other classroom necessities. In a single month, they raised $46,301.
What Do Teachers Say About the Impact of Our Involvement?
Donations provide flexible, direct funding for educators to use where it’s needed most. Last year, Selene was one of the teachers surprised with an AdoptAClassroom.org donation thanks to ACE. She used the money to purchase engaging books and hands-on learning activities for her students.
“ACE is responsible for helping my students access high-interest books. Your donations made my classroom come alive.” - Selene, Teacher
Another teacher, Francy, used her donation from AdoptAClassroom.org to create a better learning environment for her third-grade students.
“I definitely plan to continue fundraising through AdoptAClassroom.org because our students’ needs are always growing and changing.” - Francy, Teacher
Thanks to these donations, teachers like Selene and Francy no longer have to dip into their own pockets to fund classroom supplies and learning tools. And it’s not just about the supplies – teacher retention matters, too. 9 in 10 teachers say support from AdoptAClassroom.org encourages them to keep teaching.
(L) A classroom before the teacher spends money, and (R) the same classroom after the teacher spends money.
How Can ACE Customers Donate Through ACE?
AdoptAClassroom.org is also an important part of ACE’s Chip in For Charity initiative. In this program, customers select one of several charities to support simply by using their co-branded Flare Account® Charity Debit Card whenever they shop. When the card is used, ACE donates an amount equal to a portion of every purchase made to the associated charity up to preset limits.1
Do you want to help teachers like Selene and Francy? Use your Flare Account Charity Debit Card for everyday purchases to help put supplies in classrooms that need them most.
Disclaimers
1. ACE Cash Express donates $0.05 for each $100.00 in debit card purchase transactions (net of refunds and chargebacks) made with an AdoptAClassroom.org branded debit card associated with a Flare Account® to AdoptAClassroom.org, a 501(c)(3) organization. Pathward®, National Association, Netspend Corporation, and Visa® do not endorse or sponsor this optional offer.
The Flare Account® is a demand deposit account established by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, and the Flare Account Debit Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Netspend is a service provider to Pathward, N.A.
Card can be used everywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted.
