School Fundraising with Box Tops for Education

If you are involved in school fundraising, or have school-age children in your family, you are probably aware of the Box Tops for Education program. This program has been around for many years now and has evolved into much more than just clipping off the little labels on the products you buy. I highly recommend that any accredited school or home school association that serves grades kindergarten through eighth grade check out this program. Home Schools? That’s right, accredited home school associations are eligible to participate in Box Tops for Education, too

This program is sponsored by General Mills and participating schools may earn up to $20,000 per year. First, your school must enroll and be accepted into the program and designate a school coordinator. This person will be responsible for sending in the box tops throughout the year. Each box top coupon is worth 10 cents. The school coordinator should send a monthly list home to student families with the current eligible products and promotions.

In addition to Box Tops, enrolled schools can participate in the online marketplace program. This enables consumers to access the Web sites of third-party merchants and purchase various goods or services from these merchants� sites. Your school will then receive a commission on the purchases. The Box Tops Marketplace is available 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and anyone with an internet connection can make a purchase and designate your school to receive the commission.

A third way to earn money for your school is with a Box Tops for Education Visa Card. You can apply for this credit card through the Box Tops website. A portion of every purchase will be sent to your designated school. As with the online shopping, anyone can get a Visa card and designate your school to receive the money. However, you school has to be enrolled so make sure you have all of that taken care of by the school coordinator.

The Box Tops for Education website also features recipes and coupons for consumers. I would advise the school coordinator to use the website features to help promote school participation. Find out more at www.boxtops4education.com.

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