Stephen Colbert’s guests didn’t just leave The Late Show with a handshake and a plug well landed.
They also left with a DonorsChoose gift card—and the chance to help fund a public school classroom.
The education nonprofit spotlighted that off-camera tradition Tuesday in a new tribute video thanking Colbert for nearly two decades of support.
The practice gave Late Show guests a role in Colbert’s long-running relationship with DonorsChoose, which stretches back to his satirical 2007 presidential campaign, when he directed supporters to fund classroom projects through the nonprofit rather than donate to him.
Two years later, Colbert joined the organization’s board of directors, deepening what had begun as a comedy-driven fundraising effort into a long-term philanthropic relationship.
That relationship produced one of Colbert’s most visible DonorsChoose moments in 2015.
After The Colbert Report ended, Colbert auctioned off pieces of the show’s set—including his desk and fireplace hearth—and used the proceeds, along with partner funding, to fund every active DonorsChoose classroom project in his home state of South Carolina.
The $800,000 effort funded nearly 1,000 projects for more than 800 teachers at over 375 schools.
In the new tribute video featuring teachers, students, and a roster of former Late Show guests, DonorsChoose founder Charles Best connects those public fundraising moments to Colbert’s quieter Late Show tradition.
“Stephen, ever since your character ran for president almost 20 years ago, you have been the greatest champion of our effort,” Best says. He adds that giving DonorsChoose gift cards to Late Show guests was “just one example,” but “a shining example.”
DonorsChoose has
Watch the full video below:
