For many, “Back to School” means organizing bake sales, collecting soup labels, milk covers and box tops, as well as sending kids door to door to peddle wreaths, gift wrap and candy, not to mention hitting up unsuspecting co-workers to boost sales. With modest budgets, fundraising has become necessary for most schools. While these activities are noble endeavors, there are more efficient ways to raise money for schools which incorporate activities that families already do, and save busy parents, time and energy.

one example of an easy, work-free way to raise additional funds for local school systems is the Take Charge of Education program. Every time you use a Target Visa credit card or Target Guest Card at a Target store or Target.com, the retailer will donate an amount equal to one percent of purchases to the eligible K-12 school of your choice. Use the Target Visa credit card at any other retailer and 0.5 percent of the purchase will go to your designated school.

Since the program began in 1997, Target Stores has given more than $100 million to schools across the country. Due to this infusion of cash, more than 110,000 schools nationwide have been able to pay for computers, playground equipment, field trips and other necessary classroom supplies which are desperately needed, but are often out of reach. Take Charge of Education dollars are distributed to schools twice each year and schools can use the funds for anything they need from technology and books to school supplies and grants.

If raising money for your school simply by shopping sounds too good to be true, imagine the impact when the concept is multiplied by an entire community. Following are some tips for getting neighbors involved in supporting local schools through this program:

1. Distribute information about the Take Charge of Education program to parents to encourage them to sign up for a Target Visa credit card and designate your local school.

2. Suggest that parents encourage grandparents, aunts and neighbors to designate your local school. Guests can designate a school anywhere in the country, so also encourage out-of-town friends and family to designate your school in the program.

3. Explain the impact these purchases can have for your school in your parent newsletter and on the school’s Web site.

4. Encourage parents who might already have a Target Visa credit card to check that they’ve designated your local school to receive payout money.

5. Set a fundraising goal and periodically remind parents how much progress the school is making. Specifics about the status of how each individual school is doing are available by visiting Target.com/tcoe. Information available includes the number of people who have designated your school and the amount of pending donations.

6. Use community news outlets, such as locally produced radio and newspapers, to share how your school has benefited from the additional funds. Don’t forget to thank the community for their involvement and participation. 

Courtesy of ARA Content