October 7, 2008 Written by Danielle Davis
Ever feel like you want to support a cause but don’t want to buy the candy bar that goes with it? Fundraisers can be serious business as they support extras like dances along with essentials like new playgrounds, school fieldtrips or even the salaries of computer, art and music teachers here in California.
Lisa Olson was a PTA parent who deeply wanted to support her kids’ school, but just didn’t jive with the only offerings on the table or in the catalog—cookie dough and wrapping paper didn’t seem like conscious choices for someone tuned into personal and planetary action. She dreamed up a new way of doing things—Greenraising, which lets community members support their local school (or charity) by buying eco-friendly and Fair Trade products and lets students know that their choices matter.
Greenraising makes things easier and more streamlined for organizers, too. You don’t ever have to touch the product or exchange money, just list your organization on the Greenraising website, let your constituents know about it through an email campaign or campus booths, and then let them go online and pick what they want. With each purchase, 25 to 40% of the proceeds go straight to the school or nonprofit’s mission.
Among the products we give high marks: Bazura lunch bags made from recycled juice boxes by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines and these sparkly beaded bracelets crafted by the Prana cooperative in Guatemala that funds scholarships for children there.
Web: http://www.greenraising.com/. Phone: (888) 946-5556.
Online fundraising is a great eco-friendly method as well–no paper products to push and it’s something you can do from home. I help the American Cancer Society through Give2Network.com. The site has a free downloadable toolbar that allows you to have all your searching and shopping through the toolbar benefit the charity, school, etc of your choosing. It’s really easy to use and I feel like I’m making a small difference — without having to buy/do anything I would not anyways
I just helped my sister out with my niece’s school fundraiser and was obliged to buy a bunch of stuff I don’t really want and certainly aren’t green. I will definitely forward it to her!