Chase, who teaches English, doesn't want you to think of yourself as a mere contributor, emptying your pockets for his benefit. Think of yourself, he said, as an investor.
Because if you donate to the effort, which he's christened "Chasing Harvard," you'll get something out of the deal: access to Chase's daily blog posts from Cambridge, Mass., in which he'll take readers inside Harvard, presenting the behind-the-scenes scoop on education at one of the world's top universities. In addition, whenever college policy permits, he'll post his academic papers, notes, and projects on the Internet for all to see.
So, in a way, you'll get to go to Harvard, too.
"It's kind of an experiment," Chase said. "I'm asking people to invest in me."
That's a common goal of "crowd-funding" - the concept of using the Internet to connect people who, by pooling small amounts of money, can provide sufficient funding for causes big and small, from personal get-well gifts to documentary films or disaster relief.
For instance, Sellaband and Artistshare encourage music fans to support unsigned or little-known bands. Catwalk Genius is a fashion site.
On Donorschoose, teachers from all over post proposals for school projects. The site organizes the collection of money and delivery of materials - if the funding goal is reached. Later, students and teachers post thank-you notes and pictures, so donors can see where their money went.
Chase joined the staff at Sciences Leadership Academy four years ago, attracted to the tech-and-math focus of the Center City high school, a partnership between the Philadelphia School District and the Franklin Institute. He's become heavily involved in the Freedom Writers Foundation, and travels to Africa in the summers to work with teachers there.
