Fundraising Opportunities with Picateers Photo Sharing

It seems that nowdays just about everyone has a digital camera. Have you been to a school event lately where there was not a parent with a digital camera or camcorder? Another technology becoming more prevalent is online photo sharing. This enables you to share your digital photos over the internet. Wouldn’t it be great if the parents at your school could share their pictures of school events?

There is an online photo sharing company, called Picateers, that enables schools and classrooms to share photos along with other services such as creating class memory books, yearbooks, and running a school portrait program. In addition, Picateers has a fundraising program for schools and organizations that makes it very easy to earn money while sharing photos.

Picateers was started by Larry Jacobs. The idea for Picateers came to Jacobs after staying up all one night making a slide show for his son�s kindergarten class. He knew there had to be an easier way to share photos and create photo products such as classroom memory books. After discussing this with some friends they all agreed and the idea for Picateers was born. Jacobs is the CEO and Susan Doherty is the Vice President of Marketing.

Schools and organizations can join Picateers for free and create a private photo sharing group. Parents and teachers then upload their photos to share them with the group. Picateers gives your organization an online photo gift store enabling parents to create over 30 quality gifts with the digital photos including mugs, t-shirts, photo books, greeting cards and more. When a purchase is made Picateers gives 25% cach back to your school.

Another way to raise money is with the memory book fundraiser. Classrooms can preserve school memories with a book for each class that highlights their activities and events. In 2007 Picateers will launch their school portrait program which will give 50% cash back to schools.

I recommend Picateers as a good way for schools to have long-term, hands-free fundraiser. Parents and teachers can download original images for free and the school receives cash back when participants purchase prints, books or gifts. It’s also a great way to increase parent involvement and awareness of what is going on in your school or classroom.

Visit Piccateers.com and sign up your school.

Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising. Visit www.diyfundraising.com for do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups.