Crowdfunding & Social Impact Keynote Speaker, Founder of DonorsChoose
GOTHAM ARTISTS COLLECTIVE

Charles Best Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Q: What is Charles Best's speaking fee?

Charles Best speaking fee typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. The lower end usually applies to virtual engagements, while the higher end is for in-person events in the US. However, fees may exceed this range for a variety of reasons, like extended activities or international travel. Other factors such as popularity, career stage, and current demand can also influence the final fee. For an accurate and up-to-date quote based on your specific event details, please contact Gotham Artists. We will provide detailed information and assistance to ensure you have the latest fee structure.

Crowdfunding & Social Impact Keynote Speaker, Founder of DonorsChoose
GOTHAM ARTISTS COLLECTIVE

Speaking Fee:

$10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:

LAX - Los Angeles (All Airports)

Primary Topic Category:

Philanthropy

Secondary Topic Category:

Education

Call Us For More Info

Charles Best Speaker Profile: At A Glance

Charles Best is the pioneer of crowdfunding and the founder of DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization that has inspired 5 million people to give $1.3 billion to fund 2 million classroom requests created by public school teachers. Charles launched DonorsChoose in 2000 at a Bronx high school where he taught history, and while the organization was still operating out of his classroom, it got a boost from Oprah Winfrey, who declared DonorsChoose one of her "ultimate favorite things." To date, teachers at 85% of all U.S. public schools have created classroom requests on the site, and DonorsChoose has become an increasing force for equity in American education. Charles recently moved from crowdfunding to making the learning materials that teachers most want for their students, as the next CEO of Lakeshore Learning.

The Birth of Crowdfunding and The Wisdom of the Front Lines

When Charles Best launched DonorsChoose out of a Bronx high school back in 2000, “crowdfunding” wasn’t even a word. Today, DonorsChoose is the most trusted way to give to public school classrooms, and crowdfunding has become the go-to vehicle for people to finance ideas, to kickstart creative projects, and to fund individual needs. Charles shares how it all began at a Bronx public high school where he taught history, and how his fledgling nonprofit—still operating out of his classroom and staffed by his students--was catapulted by Oprah Winfrey. He explains how he built DonorsChoose into a nonprofit platform that has inspired 5 million people—and companies of all sizes--to give $1.3 billion to fund 2 million classroom requests from teachers across America, and he shares the organization’s explicit focus on equity in American education. Charles believes that the frontline wisdom of teachers enables them to come up with the most effective solutions for their students, and he argues that there are many more arenas—not just public schools--where the closer someone is to the front lines, the smarter their ideas will be. He shares new research from the University of Michigan showing that funding teachers’ classroom requests is a hugely effective way to lift student learning, research which indicates that organizations in all sectors can tap the wisdom of the front lines and thereby accelerate innovation. Charles puts that credo into practice by giving DonorsChoose gift cards (underwritten by his speaker’s fee) to audience members, inviting them to choose classroom requests to support and to hear back directly from the teachers and students they choose to help.

The Art of the Ask

In 2000, Charles Best was a high school history teacher when he launched DonorsChoose as a simple way for anyone to help a classroom in need. Since then, he and his team have inspired 5 million people and partners to give $1.3 billion to fund 2 million classroom requests from teachers across America, turning DonorsChoose into the most trusted platform for giving to public schools. To get to that scale, Charles made bold asks: •Inspiring Oprah Winfrey to name DonorsChoose as one of her “ultimate favorite things” •Working with Stephen Colbert to fund all the classroom requests in his home state of South Carolina, and using that gift to inspire 50 more celebrities—from Serena Williams to Elon Musk—to fund all the classroom requests in their home towns •Sending a cold email to a blockchain entrepreneur asking for $29 million to fund every single classroom request on DonorsChoose, which worked •Unlocking millions of small donations by developing algorithms that would recommend just the right classroom request to each donor—for example, by matching donors with teachers who share the same last name (which turns out to be even more powerful than geo-targeting) •Showing companies how they could engage customers, earn media coverage, and build brand equity by supporting public school classrooms through DonorsChoose Before telling the stories behind each of those asks, Charles shares how he made one ask that went horribly awry. He goes on to share the principles that have enabled him to get to “yes” and how those principles can be applied by product, marketing, branding, communications, business development, and sales teams. Finally, Charles gives DonorsChoose gift cards (underwritten by his speaker’s fee) to audience members and makes an ask of them: to choose a classroom dream to bring to life.

What is Charles Best's speaking fee?

Charles Best's speaking fee typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. The lower end usually applies to virtual engagements, while the higher end is for in-person events in the US. However, fees may exceed this range for a variety of reasons, like extended activities or international travel. Other factors such as popularity, career stage, and current demand can also influence the final fee.

For an accurate and up-to-date quote based on your specific event details, please contact Gotham Artists. We will provide detailed information and assistance to ensure you have the latest fee structure.

Why Book Charles Best with Gotham Artists?

Booking Charles Best with Gotham ensures a seamless and personalized experience for your event. We’re dedicated to connecting audiences with top-tier talent, ensuring each event is not only successful but memorable. Here’s why you should choose Gotham Artists:

Expertise and Experience: With over a decade in the industry, we have the expertise to match the perfect speaker to any event, whether corporate, educational, non-profit, or private.

Personalized Service: We take a personalized approach, diving deep into the specifics of your event to recommend speakers that resonate with your audience.

Dedicated Support: From initial consultation to event day logistics, we provide comprehensive support, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Our dedicated team ensures that everyone is in the right place at the right time, and their fast response times guarantee you get accurate information quickly.

How Do I Know if Charles Best is the Right Keynote Speaker for My Event?

We get it: Choosing the right keynote speaker is essential. Our team can provide personalized recommendations to ensure your event is a success. Here are key factors to consider:

Expertise: Ensure the speaker’s knowledge aligns with your event’s theme or industry.

Engagement: Look for a speaker who can captivate and inspire your audience.

Testimonials: Check past client reviews for insights into the speaker’s impact and reliability.

Budget and Availability: Confirm the speaker’s fees fit your budget and they are available for your event date.

Customization: See if the speaker can tailor their message to suit your audience.

For assistance in finding the perfect speaker, contact us . Click the “Check Availability” button to get started.

How Far in Advance Do I Need To Book Charles Best?

The sooner, the better! In general, it’s best to book your keynote speaker as early as you can. Whether you know Charles Best is your best choice, or are open to other fantastic options, speakers are in high demand and calendars fill up fast. If your event is during a busy season, early booking is especially crucial.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you make your event a success!

Charles Best on Innovation

Charles Best on DonorsChoose Origin Story

Charles Best on How Crowdfunding Will Change Education

Charles Best Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:

LAX - Los Angeles (All Airports)

Primary Topic Category:

Philanthropy

Secondary Topic Category:

Education

Call Us For More Info

Charles Best Speaker Profile: At A Glance

About

Speaking Topics

Speaker Video

FAQ

The Birth of Crowdfunding and The Wisdom of the Front Lines

The Art of the Ask

What is Charles Best's speaking fee?

Why Book Charles Best with Gotham Artists?

How Do I Know if Charles Best is the Right Keynote Speaker for My Event?

How Far in Advance Do I Need To Book Charles Best?

Charles Best Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Travels From: LAX - Los Angeles (All Airports)

Primary Topic Category: Philanthropy

Secondary Topic Category: Education

Charles Best Speaker Profile: At A Glance

Check Charles's Availability

The Birth of Crowdfunding and The Wisdom of the Front Lines

The Art of the Ask

What is Charles Best's speaking fee?

Why Book Charles Best with Gotham Artists?

How Do I Know if Charles Best is the Right Keynote Speaker for My Event?

How Far in Advance Do I Need To Book Charles Best?

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Travels From:

LAX - Los Angeles (All Airports)

Primary Topic Category:

Philanthropy

Secondary Topic Category:

Education