Fundraising from Scrip

Everything you wanted to know about scrip and more

In order for Tillamook to meet our annual budget, we need to raise funds to supplement the tuition we pay. These fundraising dollars make up 30% of our budget. Fundraising is critical to covering our expenses like financial aid, school supplies, Anette’s salary, rent and insurance, as well as projects to enhance our preschool.

Our goal is to raise at least $6,300 this year. (This works out to be approx. $175-$190 per family, which is less than the goals stated in the Parent Agreement from May.) Below is all of the information you will need to participate in our fundraising program.

To raise the funds we need, Portland Tillamook Preschool uses Scrip. Scrip works best as a fundraiser when everyone participates from the beginning of the school year. The scrip team is ready to help you get started, so please 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 to 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. Participation merchants offer different discount amounts. Grocery stores are generally 4%, while some restaurants and retailers are as much as 10% or more.

Tillamook decided to have Scrip be our primary fundraiser to get away from time consuming auctions and sales of plants, books, wrapping paper, etc. We have found that we can meet, or even exceed, our fundraising goals with scrip when every family participates from the beginning of the year. All you have to do is make the effort to buy Scrip from our school before going to the store. Our goal this year is $6,300. If every family participates we will easily reach and/or surpass that goal.

How do I buy Scrip?

There are four ways to purchase Scrip:

  1. On-hand

    2. Purchase Scrip from your class seller’s on-hand supply during school drop-off or pick-up. Enclosed is a list of some of the on-hand merchants we carry. We will take requests for other merchanges you would like us to have on-hand. This is probably the easiest way to participate because you don’t have to plan ahead.

  2. Place an order

    3. You may also place an order for other merchants that we don’t carry on-hand. Turn in your completed order form and check to your class scrip seller, or place it in the “Scrip Orders” file by Friday at noon. Your order will be available by the following Thursday at noon.

    Download a Scrip Order Form (PDF).

  3. Place a standing order

    4. Standing orders work very well to help budget grocery shopping and to ensure the scrip you want will be available. You may start 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 (every two weeks or once a month). Your standing order can be changed or stopped at any time. You can “pause” your order if you are away or just don’t need it. You pay for your standing order when you receive it.

    Download a standing scrip order form (PDF).

  4. Place a national scrip order

    5. Throughout the school year we will give you the opportunity to order from a wider variety of national vendors that are not available through local scrip (e.g., gas cards, Amex and Visa gift cards, additional department stores, rental cars.)

When can I buy Scrip?

Scrip may be purchased each day of school from Hilary Johnson (3-day class) and Shauna Keyes or Will Hough (2-day class). They will be available before and after school. (Please be courteous of work-job time with their child.) Scrip will also be available at every General Meeting and most preschool events.

Why should I buy Scrip?

This is the easiest fundraiser possible to support our school! Scrip allows you to raise funds for preschool by making your normal everyday purchases. Purchase Scrip from our school to do your grocery shopping. It takes a little planning, but it’s easy to get in the habit. 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 can continue having successful fundraising years with Scrip, we won’t have to resort to time-consuming events like an auction or wrapping paper sales.

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.
  • Please pay for your scrip with a check. Make checks payable to Portland Tillamook Preschool.
  • Bring your checkbook to school each school day in case you have the opportunity to shop.
  • Protect your Scrip just like cash!

Thank you so much for your participation!