Wouldn’t it be great to raise money for your favorite organizations without having to spend extra money? That’s the basic premise of scrip fundraising. Following is an overview of this relatively recent entrant to the fundraising scene, along with tips on how to make your scrip fundraising a success.

Scrip Fundraising Overview

With scrip fundraising, organizations buy gift cards from retailers at a reduced rate. Donors then buy these gift cards from the organization at retail price, and the organization gets to keep the difference. Donors then redeem the gift cards at the retailer for full face value, making purchases they normally would anyway! It’s a win-win situation. Your organization has an easy fundraiser, and the retailer gets more customers.

Where to Buy

There are several online scrip retailers who work with national retailers. You can purchase everything from gas gift cards to national restaurant chains through these sites. Some do not have minimum orders, but others do, so be sure to read the fine print.

Profit

The profit your organization earns will vary, depending on the gift card. Profit typically ranges between 1.5 percent and 20 percent. Lower profit margins are typically for gas cards and grocery stores. However, these are items that people purchase weekly, which can really add up!

Tips for Scrip Fundraising Success

Be sure your members understand how easy it is to raise money using this program. Have them use the gift cards for all of their normal purchases—gas, groceries, dining out, clothing, and more. Explain to them that they don’t need to make purchases they wouldn’t normally make. By simply making their everyday purchases through this program, your organization can earn hundreds of dollars per year from everyone who participates.