On the eve of a big fundraiser a familiar lament was heard coming from the teacher’s lounge. “I still have cookie dough in my freezer left over from last year." There is a loud collective sigh. “Just mix it in with the new cookie dough," a volunteer suggests. There is guarded laughter, then a few more muffled jokes. All kidding aside, fundraising is oft a time when many veterans would rather book an extended vacation. It is a time when guilt trips are utilized to help sell overpriced items no one wants or needs.



To complicate matters further, operating costs have soared, budgets have been slashed and fundraisers have been asked to take on ever-expanding duties, all as the need for outside funds is on the increase. In schools, children continue to raise funds with high-effort techniques, such as selling low-quality and overpriced merchandise to neighbors and family members.

The question must be raised, “Why damage your volunteers resolve by making them sell things they don’t really believe in?" Ultimately, the success of fundraising efforts hinges on getting the maximum level of “buy-in" from the maximum number of supporters. To maximize a fundraising event, one of the most important questions should be the value of what is being offered. Fundraising strategies need to clearly answer the question, “What's in it for the consumer?" Real value can ease the pain and cement a fundraising strategy for years to come.

Thankfully, there is some good news, as online solutions shape the future. The challenge then becomes finding a company with the right technology to handle both long-term and short-term needs. Now, with a simple click of a mouse, fundraising can be forever changed and a new mantra may be overheard coming from fundraising administrators, “It’s free and easy, and wow, they offer real value". Add perpetual revenue and you define schoolheart. You might now overhear administrators using the words real value and refreshing in the same sentence. schoolheart not only provide real value, along with free, easy and perpetual service, but ties the community together, building long-term good will.

For an easy fundraiser, you don’t want programs that take too much effort or time from a large number of people, but let's be honest; it is going to take some effort. To make matters even more agreeable, SchoolHeart® provides a hands-on Account Supervisor to help optimize the program. schoolheart even offers great access to small groups, which no salesman would ever have called upon. You might now even overhear, “SchoolHeart® is the least effort with the greatest return, with real value we can be proud to offer."

The hCard® is SchoolHeart's premier fundraising program. No up-front or out-of-pocket costs. No returns, refunds, spoilage, or guilt trips. All orders are processed online and cards are mailed directly to the customers. The hCard® is an easy sell, and best of all, it has real value! Like your typical “show and save" discount card, it can be used locally, but now it can also be used nationally and includes Emergency Contact support! People not only purchase The hCard® to benefit their favorite nonprofit organization, but. because of the real value it offers.

The hCard® can work for any group and it unites the community. Not only does the organization accomplish it fundraising goals and the cardholder reap savings, but merchants are eager for new business and are more than willing to offer good deals to make it happen. The hCard® is personalized with the cardholder’s name and the name of the school or nonprofit organization. And, in recognition for their service to the community, SchoolHeart® provides FREE cards to school employees, local firefighters and law enforcement officials.

The hCard® Online Directory at hcard is the location cardholders visit to see what discounts and special offers are available to them. The Directory is a great new business generator for local and national merchants. Locations are found by zip code, mileage, city, or state. Merchants are also given hCard® decals for their place of business

SchoolHeart® is serious about Funding the Heart of America®, putting relationship at the heart of its fundraising strategy. SchoolHeart® focuses on real value as its centerpiece. Supporters can know their contribution will help the nonprofit of their choice, but now they can also know that they received something that is of more value than the dollars they contributed! An administrator may now even get a genuine smile, instead of, “Here they come again." Your volunteers will feel the same way.