SCRIP is a paper certificate or card used as a substitute for money in exchange for goods or services such as gas, groceries, hotels, airfare and entertainment. More and more nonprofits and schools nationwide are using SCRIP programs to successfully raise money year-round. Here's how it works: The organization is able to raise funds by keeping the difference between the discount price at which it bought the SCRIP and the full face value at which it sold the SCRIP to supporters. Picture this: You make your usual weekly visit to the grocery store. You fill your cart as always — with fresh fruit or frozen French fries, tenderloin or tofu — and head up front to check out. Your purchases are scanned and bagged, you get your total, and you pay your $100. Guess what? You just made $5 for your kids’ school. On the way home, you pick up a video and a pizza. There’s another $1.10 for good old Any School Elementary. How’s that possible? Welcome to SCRIP, a decade-old fundraising concept with roots in California and a large, national future. The concept is simple. Schools purchase gift certificates, or scrip, from popular retailers (like Pizza Hut and Blockbuster and some grocery chains) at a discount, which the retailers are happy to give because they’re guaranteeing themselves customers and some goodwill advertising. Parents then buy the gift certificates from the school at face value. The difference in price is kept by the school. Parents then spend the scrip at the retailer, where it’s worth the full face value; they haven’t spent an extra dime to help the school, nor have they had to change stores. School earnings can really add up. The most successful SCRIP schools earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year from SCRIP. Typical schools with modest programs can earn $3,000–$10,000 without an undue amount of effort. Some quick math is the best way to demonstrate the earning potential of scrip. An average family spends $5,000 at the grocery store ($100 per week). The school gets a 5 percent discount on grocery SCRIP. Over the course of the year, the school makes $250 (5 percent of $5,000) just from one family’s grocery bill. Now consider what that family might spend on pizza and gas and toys, items with typically higher discount percentages. And don’t forget holiday shopping. Multiply that family’s earnings by, say, 20 families and you’ve got $10,000 for your school. With the right support, SCRIP earnings can really add up. Where and When SCRIP is Available Monday thru Friday Muskegon Township Fire Barn (Across from the North Muskegon Meijer) Meijer's Community Rewards replaces their SCRIP program. The retail chain has been a huge supporter of the band through their previous SCRIP contributions. Now, it is even simpler for you to put money in your account! After filling out the Rewards application, you will receive a Meijer Guest Card that you swipe to earn after every purchase at the store. If you already have a Meijer Credit Card, signing up will enhance the credit card with the same Community Rewards functions. About the Program Enrolled members shop Meijer, simply paying with cash, PIN-based debit card or linked Meijer Credit Card. Purchases made with a linked Meijer Credit Card earn 1%. Purchases made with cash or PIN-based debit card and a swiped Meijer 1 CardSM earn 0.5%. Each year, at least 6% of Meijer net profits go toward overall community giving - one of the highest percentages in the retail industry! More information can be obtained at http://www.meijer.com/rewards. Important! If you want to link to an existing account, you need to get their card number.
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What is SCRIP?