New keys to school success

PTAs turn to store 'loyalty cards' to help raise money

Most of us have at least one loyalty card dangling from our key chains for being a frequent shopper at our favorite grocery store.

But these loyalty cards aren't just saving customers a few bucks. They have become a new phenomenon that is changing the way Parent-Teacher Associations raise money.

Many Wake County PTAs have raised thousands of dollars by having parents link their loyalty cards to a particular school. A portion of the grocery bill is then donated to the school.

Area PTA leaders are staunch supporters of such efforts. Many have come up with names for the efforts, such as "passive" or "painless" fundraising.

"It's a no-brainer," said Vicky Rubin, vice president of Baileywick Elementary School's PTA. "People are just so busy."

The method is changing the face of typical PTA fundraisers.

"We decided to make a more deliberate effort to strengthen our focus toward passive fundraising and virtually abandon the more traditional fundraisers," said Bonnie Hopkins, PTA president at York Elementary School.

Hopkins said such efforts are beneficial because everyone can participate. About one-third of York's budget comes from such efforts. York raised $2,000 last year from having parents link their loyalty cards. At Ligon Middle School, the PTA raised about $3,000 from such efforts.

As part of the PTA's overall budget, the money is used to help support cultural arts programs and to buy teacher supplies.

Many PTAs haven't totally abandoned other fundraising efforts. Some still hold fall fundraisers and ask parents to donate money throughout the year.

There are other ways, too, for PTAs to raise money or purchase supplies for the schools. General Mills' Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Label for Education are two other successful programs. Parents cut out the labels from cereal boxes and soup cans and send them in to the companies. In return, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the school.

"Everyone has to buy groceries," Rubin said. "You're not asking people to spend money on things they wouldn't purchase."

Last year, Rolesville Elementary scored a whopping $50,000 after a teacher assistant was entered into a Box Top competition for a week, purchasing her favorite snack bars.

"These programs are very valuable, and you get an opportunity to provide some resources you may otherwise not have been able to," said Rolesville Elementary principal Shane Barham.

Another successful program for PTAs has been Target's Take Charge of Education program, in which a portion of Target credit and debit card payments is donated to schools. The program has donated more than $650,000 to schools in North Carolina.

And Food Lion's Lion Shop & Share program donated more than $1 million to schools and other organizations in 2007.