Merchant Rebates For Schools and Non-Profits

July is typically a quiet month for Rebate Fundraisers - school’s out and fall fundraising doesn’t get underway until late August or September. Your PTA or ASB has most likely designated fundraising committees for next year so here’s 3 Key Steps you can take to be prepared for Fall fundraising:

1. Update school (or non-profit) contacts on file with Ralphs, Albertsons and eScrip. This will ensure that quarterly reports are forwarded to the right person in your organization. Some reports are available only online - your contact will need the account number and password.

2. Prepare your Signup Flyer for Registration Packets. Include a dual language flyer if needed for your parent community (i.e, English and Spanish version).

3. Confirm that Rebate checks are received at your school over the summer. Check with your organization Treasurer to ensure that deposits have been made every quarter for Ralphs and Albertsons rebates and monthly for eScrip.

Taking care of these “housekeeping” items now will save you time in the fall and keep your program moving forward!

To your success!
Irene
ScripSuccess
www.k12rebates.com

Part of the work of a coordinator is understanding which merchants (stores) participate. With eScrip, retailers (i.e., Eddie Bauer, Macy’s) and restaurants donate back to schools and non-profits. In addition, eScrip offers the Dining Network where many local establishments donate up to 5% of a dining bill. The list of merchants is subject to change and so it’s a good idea to check the Merchant List just prior to a campaign or prior to printing flyers and banners.

For example, Office Max and Pep Boys no longer participate in eScrip as of June 1, 2008. I have noticed however, that Office Max is an eScrip Online Mall merchant, donating 3.6% of online purchases through the eScrip website.

In addition to sharing the eScrip Merchant list with supporters, it’s a good idea to scan your Monthly Earnings Report and identify other restaurants and stores who are contributing. While reviewing a report for one of our clients, we found that a popular bagel establishment is an eScrip merchant. They were not listed on the eScrip Merchant List, but do appear on reports. We’ll definitely highlight this Merchant in flyers and on our website to recognize their support.

Visit www.escrip.com/merchants/search/index.jsp for a list of eScrip Merchants and Merchant changes.

Please note we will post to this Blog each Monday. Thank you for joining us!
To Your Success!
Irene
ScripSuccess

Have you noticed the Dining Bonus available to eScrip supporters? The eScrip “Double Dip Dining Bonus” gives supporters a chance to double their contribution when dining at Rewards Network restaurants. The bonus period runs August 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008.

For example, if you dine at Tony Pepperoni, a pizza establishment here in Orange County, you can earn a 2.5% contribution for your school or non-profit. During the Bonus period, your contribution will be doubled to 5%. Rate your dining experience online and receive an additional 2.5% for a total of 7.5% - wow!

According to eScrip, supporters must use an eScrip registered credit card - VISA, Discover, American Express or MasterCard and must complete the online survey after their visit. If supporters do not have an email address on file with eScrip, they will not receive the survey and therefore will earn 5%.

Look for the “Double Dip Dining Bonus” offer when enrolling new supporters through Power Registration and remind existing supporters of this great promotion!

For more information visit www.escrip.com

Now that the new Ralphs Rewards card is in circulation, we are receiving more questions from supporters about how to use the card. I’ve been using my new “pink” Rewards card and have almost 500 points! That means I’m close to a $5 certificate (at least) for this quarter. My receipt shows my point balance and so it’s easy to keep track of where I am in earning the rewards.

Here’s some F.A.Q.s coming from our clients:
Q. If my previous Ralphs Club Card was linked, do I need to link the new card, too?
A. If your phone number on file with Ralphs has not changed, the “link” to your school or non-profit will transfer to the new card.

Q. I just received the new Rewards card and noticed I did not see the “message” on the receipt (that “Ralphs is donating to XYZ organization”). What happened?
A. The message will appear upon your 2nd shopping trip, provided you use your card or phone number at checkout. Ralphs indicated it takes a few days for the database updates to occur.

Q. If I link my Rewards Card now, do I have to re-link again next year?
A. Yes. Ralphs requires cards to be re-linked for the September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009 period. Only the new Rewards card is eligible for contributions during this period.

Visit www.ralphs.com for more details concerning the Rewards card.