Starting a Scrip Fundraising Program

Before beginning your scrip fundraising program, careful planning and promotion is needed to efficiently run the program and maximize your scrip earning potential.  Below are some general steps to follow to ensure your success.

1.  Recruit Volunteers and Select a Scrip Coordinator

• Organize a few volunteers that can help with the launching, promoting and processing of your scrip fundraiser.
• Select one or two scrip coordinators that can oversee and perform the ordering and distribution process.  These coordinators should be made well known as the "go-to" persons to answer questions about scrip.
   

2.  Determine Fundraising Goals and Tracking Procedures

• Set Financial Goals
  Determine specifically how much you want to raise and how the profits will be used.  Specific fundraising goals helps supporters identify with the program and get on board.  Decide on whether to offer tuition credit for school families as a percentage of their total contribution. 
• Open a Scrip Checking Account
  A separate checking account for scrip allows for all deposits and withdrawals to be in one place, making it easier for balancing and security.
• Create a Custom Scrip Order Form
  Customize an order form that supporters can use to order scrip.  See our Resources page for some downloadable scrip order form templates.
• Find Software to Track All Scrip Program Data
  A good deal of data is needed to be tracked quickly and accurately...this is where Scrip Pro Software comes in handy!
   

3.  Determine Your Ordering and Distribution Process

Some questions that need to be addressed are:

• Should we carry an inventory of scrip?
  Decide on whether to carry on-hand inventory for most vendors, some vendors, or not at all.  Carrying inventory for popular certificates can increase sales because supporters don't have to wait for them to come in.
• When and where should all orders be turned in and picked up?
  Determine day, time and place orders need to be turned in to be processed.  Figure in the processing time and a day for pick up.
• Which scrip center should we use to order our scrip?
  See our Scrip Center Directory for a listing of scrip centers.  Find out what scrip merchants they carry, their turn-around times and all associated fees to find out which scrip center is best for your organization.
• How do we sort and distribute scrip orders to families once it arrives?
  Determine an efficient way to distribute scrip, such as placing them in envelopes in alphabetical order, or sending them to classrooms for student pick up.
   

4.  Promote Your Scrip Fundraiser

In what ways can you promote your scrip fundraiser to your supporters to motivate them to buy scrip?

• Schedule Informational Meetings
  Explain how the scrip program works to your supporters with details on goals, earning potential, ordering and distribution.
• Create Innovative Incentives
  Offer the supporter something in return for purchasing a certain amount of scrip such as a tuition credit, a coupon for free scrip, or an item that is raffled off.  Hold competitions between classrooms, and/or give staff all of their proceeds back.  There are several ways to offer incentives - think of a unique way that applies to your organization.
• Expand Your Supporter Base
  Encourage family and friends of the supporter to purchase scrip and apply any proceeds to the supporter (like for tuition credit).  Remind business owners to use scrip to purchase business related supplies.  Remember to purchase all school and parish supplies or other items using scrip!
• Be Visible
  Keep supporters updated on the program's progress and their contribution totals.  Sell scrip at sporting events and after-school activities.  Create a monthly newsletter.  Run ads in the parish church bulletin.