History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
Strapped schools seek easy cash in brand-name online contests
- 09-07-2011
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By Sharon Noguchi/San Jose Mercury News
Field trips by Kleenex. Parks by Sprite. Library books from dd's Discounts. As kids head back to school, parents head back to fundraising, and savvy marketers see schools as an inviting opportunity to profit while doing good. Many recognize families' desire to help schools as an entree into a lucrative market. Schools long have run fundraisers by reaping a portion of proceeds from gift wrap, candy or cookie dough sales, or by selling discount coupon books from local businesses. Now one increasingly popular strategy focuses on marketing, not sales, through online contests. The pitch might go something like this: Hey, kids! Wanna help out your school? Just click on our website and sign up ... No need to buy anything ... Vote early and often! ... The campus with the most votes wins! ... We're giving away millions of dollars. ... Tell your friends! Last school year, hundreds of students, parents and teachers entreated friends and families to enter the Pepsi Refresh contest, which awarded a total of $1 million every month to 32 worthy causes. (more...)
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