What is A Scrip Fundraising Program?

A Scrip is basically a gift certificate purchased by a group at a discount and then sold to their supporters at face value. The term "Scrip" actually means "substitute money". The certificates are available from popular retailers for everything from gas to groceries. Pizza Hut, Blockbuster and A & P are examples of popular retailers that support scrip programs. The aim of a scrip fundraising program is to take advantage of your supporter's everyday consumerism; they go ahead and make their normal everyday purchases but throguh scrip your group gets a percentage of the sale. Retailers are willing to sell the gift cards at a discount to groups because they are guaranteeing themselves customers, while increasing their public image in their local community.

Here is a demonstration of the earning potential of scrip fundraiser:

An average family spends:
$125 per week on Groceries
$50 per week on Gas
$25 per week on Pizza and Movie Rentals

If your group earns a 5% discount on the scrip and you have 20 families participating you would raise $10,400 over the course of a year.

Weaknesses of Scrip Programs:

Requirement that parents/supporters go through the gift certificate buying process at regular intervals
Long term fundraiser with no deinifte beginning or end
Requires a lot of coordination on the part of volunteers. (Using an online service is a great way to help manage this coordination.)
Very time consuming for volunteers

Strenths of Scrip Programs

High earning potential
Parents/supporters don't have to spend extra money to help
Selling gift cards is the perfect Seasonal Fundraiser during the Holidays
Ability to raise funds consistently all year
No minimum purchases
Limited start up costs

Tips For A Successful Scrip Fundraiser:

Make sure your Scrip Broker's list is a good fit for the shopping habits of your supporters. There is no point in supplying gift cards to retailers your supporters do not use.
Focus on grocery stores and gas stations... every family needs to eat and drive.
Consider partnering with other groups. Your scrip provider may increase the percentage you earn based on the volume of sales.
Approach businesses who normally use gift certificates as recognition programs for their employees
Use the gift certificates to purchase expenses normally incurred by your group such as equipment, supplies and books.
Some groups make participation in the scrip program a requirement for families or they charge them an activity fee.

Canadian Scrip Provider: http://www.ShopandSupport.ca
US Scrip Provider: http://www.escrip.com/

Ayana Forward is the Author of "Raise Money, Without Selling". A step-by-step guide to fundraising online.