Fundraising from Scrip

Everything you wanted to know about scrip and more

As you’ve probably already heard, scrip is our major fundraiser again this year. Our goal is to raise at least $6671. (This works out to be approx. $185/child at the school.) These fundraising dollars will help cover the 30% of our budget (like financial aid, school supplies, Anette’s salary, rent, etc.) that tuition doesn’t cover as well as “fun” projects to enhance our preschool. Some of the “fun” projects this next year will be discussed over the summer. Below is all of the information you will need to participate in our Scrip program. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

What is scrip?

Scrip is a term meaning “substitute for money.” Scrip is real and negotiable gift certificates from over 160 participating national and local merchants. These certificates (or gift cards) are identical t o gift certificates issued by a participating merchant. We work with a company called the Scrip Service Center. They purchase millions of dollars of gift certificates in large bulk from participating merchants. They receive a bulk discount. We purchase Scrip from them at a discount and the profits go to our school.

This program does not cost you a penny!

For example, if you purchase $100 of Fred Meyer Scrip, it will cost you $100 and you will have $100 to spend. There are no restrictions on Scrip. You can buy anything you want, get change back (in most cases in cash), use coupons and buy things on sale. Since Portland Tillamook bought the gift certificates for $96, Fred Meyer has, in essence, donated $4 (or 4%) to our preschool. This may not sound like much, but it really adds up when everyone participates. Some merchants offer as much as a 10% discount.

How do I buy Scrip?

Purchase Scrip during school from the on-hand supply. We maintain a supply of grocery stores, coffee shops, pizza, fast food, Home Depot, and more. Ask your scrip seller what they have on hand. We will take requests for other merchants you’d like us to have on-hand. This is probably the easiest way to participate because you don’t have to plan ahead. (Please be courteous of workjob time with their child.) Scrip will also be available at every general meeting.

There are three other ways to purchase scrip:

Place an Order

You may also place an order for other merchants that we don’t carry on-hand or other denominations that we may not carry. An order can be placed at anytime. Turn in your completed order form and check in the “Scrip Orders” file by Friday at noon. Your order will be available by Thursday at noon.

Download a Fall 2007 Scrip Order Form (PDF).

Place a Standing Order

A standing order may help you for planning and budgeting purposes. You may complete a standing order at anytime during the school year. It allows you to get a certain amount of Scrip from merchants of your choosing on a regular basis (i.e. once a week, every 2 weeks, once a month, etc.). Your standing order can be changed or stopped at anytime. You pay for your standing order when you receive it.

Download a standing scrip order form (PDF).

National Scrip

A couple of times each year, around the holidays for example, we have national scrip forms. There are many retailers on the national scrip lists that are not available through on-hand or standing orders. Stay tuned at general meetings for information about national scrip orders.

Misc. Scrip Info

  • Don’t refill your cards at the store. When you have finished the card, just throw it away and get more Scrip at school. If you refill at the store, we don’t get any profit.
  • We take checks only. Make checks payable to Portland Tillamook Preschool.
  • Protect your Scrip just like cash!
  • Bring your checkbook to school each school day in case you have the opportunity to shop.

Why should I buy Scrip?

This is a no-brainer fundraiser for our school. This is stuff you are already buying. Why not purchase Scrip from our school and then make your purchases?

It takes a little getting used to and a little more planning but it’s so easy to get in the habit. Each time you make a purchase, try to use Scrip. Every dollar counts towards our fundraising goal and it really does add up fast! The more Scrip that is purchased the more profits we can make. Check with your family, friends and neighbors about buying Scrip. Anyone can buy Scrip from us.

If we continue having successful fundraising years with Scrip, we won’t have to go back to selling things we may not even want or having an all time-consuming event like an auction. Thank you so much for your participation! These fundraising dollars help support our school.