New program puts the fun back in fundraising
(September 02 Special to the Leaven by Bethanne Scholl )
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - From trash bags to wrapping paper, and everything
in between, selling products to raise much needed funds has become a time-honored
tradition in most schools - public and private. Music Rewards Fundraising thinks
that if you're going to sell something, why not sell something with value. Their
answer? Music.
"We think our program is a natural fit for elementary schools," said Grant Olson, president of Music Rewards Fundraising. "Everyone loves music, and we try to offer something for everyone."
The Denver-based fundraising program features Christian music products (CDs, cassettes, and children's music videos) to raise money as opposed to a box of chocolates that are here today and gone tomorrow. CDs and cassettes are offered at low prices, $8 and $10 for most items.
Music Rewards Fundraising estimates that most families spend about $150 per year on music and consider music a "necessity" rather than a "luxury."
The fundraising business has put together several programs to interest any size group, including a children's music program, a Christian family music program, a Latin music program (with much of the music in Spanish) and a holiday program.
Parents may recognize popular children's artist Joe Scruggs, whose music can be selected out of the children's music section. Artists from the holiday program include old favorites like Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby for just $10. Olson believes that Music Rewards Fundraising is perfect for schools needing to do a second fundraiser in the fall or for smaller groups within a school, such as a band or sports team.
"Schools could start this program mid-November and still get the product in time for Christmas," Olson said. Groups who sponsor the fundraiser keep 40 percent of the sales - with no shipping or handling costs.
Laura Campbell of Wheat Ridge, Colo., helped her children's school, St. Peter and Paul, raise $4,000 last year through the program. That was no small feat for the pre-kindergarten through 8th grade parish school - considering it was directly after 9/11.
"People really liked the diversity of the CDs," Campbell said. "And they liked having something different. We were very pleased with the service."
Olson has even tried to make the ordering process uncomplicated.
"The order form is very similar to Girl Scout cookies," Olson said. "We use the grid format instead of lots of product numbers to fill out."
Although there is no direct representation
in the Kansas City area, interested persons can contact Music Rewards Fundraising
at www.raisemoremoney. com or call
1 (800) 770-9735 for more information