How to Use the DonorsChoose MCP in Windsurf

Q: How does the agent decide which DonorsChoose project to highlight in Windsurf?

Cascade evaluates your intent against the tools. It uses listhighpovertyneeds if you ask for high-impact projects or filters by state if you specify a location.

Use the DonorsChoose MCP Server in Windsurf to let Cascade find classroom projects and manage funding data without manual prompts.

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Connect DonorsChoose MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect DonorsChoose to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup DonorsChoose with Windsurf

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Autonomous project discovery for Windsurf

Cascade reads your goals and triggers `search_classroom_projects` to pull active proposals directly into your editor context. It identifies relevant requests based on your current coding task. Once the agent finds a match, it uses `get_classroom_project_details` to extract specific supply needs. This allows you to build features or donation tools that react to real-time classroom data.

Targeted funding audits in Windsurf

You can task Cascade with a `quick_regional_funding_audit` to see where resources are hitting gaps in specific areas. It parses the summary to highlight high-impact opportunities. When you need to prioritize, the agent calls `list_urgent_funding_needs` to filter for projects hitting their expiration date. This keeps your application logic focused on the most critical classroom supplies.

Geographic project matching in Windsurf

Cascade uses `search_projects_by_zipcode` to pinpoint classrooms in your immediate community. It chains this tool with `list_projects_by_subject` to narrow down results by specific academic focus. This workflow lets the agent present you with localized data. You get exact project requirements without leaving the Windsurf interface.

Setup guide

Set up DonorsChoose MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the DonorsChoose MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my DonorsChoose payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the DonorsChoose tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "donorschoose-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by DonorsChoose. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about DonorsChoose MCP in Windsurf

Open your MCP settings in Windsurf and add the server configuration under the mcpServers key. Once you hit refresh, Cascade will detect the tools and start executing requests immediately.

Absolutely. You provide the layout requirements, and Cascade uses `list_latest_classroom_proposals` to feed real data into your components.

Vinkius manages the connection security for you. You just need your endpoint token to get the DonorsChoose server running in your environment.

Cascade evaluates your intent against the tools. It uses `list_high_poverty_needs` if you ask for high-impact projects or filters by state if you specify a location.

Your queries only touch public classroom project data. The Vinkius sandbox keeps your session isolated, so no classroom or donor info leaks between your active tasks.

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