Stephen Colbert announced this week plans to auction off the set from his show "The Colbert Report" and use the proceeds to pay for all of the requests of South Carolina public school teachers on the DonorsChoose.org crowdfunding site.
Colbert’s $800,000 contribution will pay for 1,000 projects for more than 800 teachers at more than 375
schools in his home state, Greenville News reported.
"Enjoy your learning, South Carolina," Colbert said, according to the newspaper.
The Morgridge Family Foundation and ScanSource agreed to provide matching funds.
"There are going to be some happy, happy teachers across the state," Superintendent Molly Spearman said, according to the Greenville News. "This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so what a great way to say 'thank you teachers for what you're doing every day.'"
The requests span from new books and classroom supplies to professional development for teachers.
Colbert made the surprise announcement of his gift in a video conference with Alexander Elementary School in Greenville this week. The school’s entire study body qualifies for free or
reduced-price lunches, The Washington Post reported.
Colbert is on the board of directors for DonorsChoose.org.
Twitter users applauded the donation.
Colbert will replace David Letterman as the face of "The Late Show" when the legendary host retires later this month.