Many of our members have questions about the scrips fund raising program. This page is designed at address frequently asked questions (FAQ) to provide everyone the information they need.
Q: Why did PTSC initiate a fund raising program?
A: Most members do not realize it, but PTSC has always had fund raising programs. The annual cost for each swimmer to participate in the club is significantly more than we take in from club dues. In fact, only about 50% of the club’s annual cost per swimmer comes from dues. The remaining revenue comes from other sources, the largest and most important being earnings from our Learn to Swim and Instructional Swim programs. Without these critical programs, taught by our older swimmers and organized by our parent volunteers, dues would be almost twice their current level.
Unfortunately, the club cannot escape the inflationary pressures we all experience and operating expenses have simply outgrown our traditional sources of additional revenue. While each member family had an increase in fees this season, we have designated a fund raising allowance that gives families the opportunities to recover most of this increase in fees.
While this fund raising allowance is new to PTSC, the great majority of swim clubs, not just locally but nationally, have had mandatory fund raising for many years. Most of them have moved toward imposing fund raising fees as part of membership costs, with the ability to earn this amount back during the course of the year. Compared to other clubs, our fundraising allowances are extremely generous. PTSC designates the allowance based on the number of swimmers per family, while virtually all other clubs have an established per family allowance. The graduated method benefits families with multiple swimmers, something the per family method does not.
PTSC is still one of the least expensive swim clubs in entire area. There are a few smaller clubs with lower fees, but among the larger, high quality organizations, our fees remain significantly lower.
Q: What are the allowable fund raising credits?
A: Each family can earn back credit as follows:
| One swimmer | Two swimmers | Three or more swimmers |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | $425 | $500 |
Q: Why aren’t the allowable credits just set at $250 per swimmer?
A: Because multiple swimmers pay discounted fees. Second and third swimmers in a family would receive an allowance disproportionate to the amount of fees paid.
Q: Why can’t families just earn enough to pay their entire amount of dues? Why do we have to limit the amount that can be credited back to member families?
A: First, it is illegal to use fund raising for payment of dues. There is no limit to what can be earned directly for the club, but families can only be reimbursed for specific amounts established as fund raising goals/fees paid in advance. This distinction was not made clear enough in our Registration Agreement this year; it will be corrected in the future to clear up the confusion between dues and fund raising fees paid in advance.
Second, part of the motivation for establishing a fund raising program was to raise additional funds for the club. Our current budget allows for basic necessary expenditures, but to operate the club at a quality level, additional funding is needed. If we raise the additional funds, the swimmers could benefit from new equipment, team clothing or gear, adding social events and many other expenditures not currently provided for in the current budget.
Q: Who is Great Lakes Scrip Center and how did we get involved with them?
A: Great Lakes Scrip Center is a company that puts retailers together with non-profit organizations who are looking for a fund raising program. Retailers are willing to offer discounts because participation helps promote business and increase gross sales. Non-profit organizations can raise money by selling the cards at face value and using the rebates for their organization.
This program is very easy and allows us to raise money without selling overpriced candy bars or other items nobody really wants. The only real effort it requires is thinking ahead to order the scrip cards in advance of making purchases you already intend to make.
We found out about Great Lakes Scrip Center through one of our members who participated in this program with another swim team in another state. We applied and were granted an account at GLSC for our own fund raising efforts.
Q: What is scrip?
A: Very simply, it is just another name for what most people recognize as gift cards. They can be used by anyone, anytime you want to make a purchase from the retailer issuing the card. They can be used for many of your everyday purchases like food, clothing, gasoline, entertainment or travel. And, of course, they can be used as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or any other occasion.
Q: Why purchase the scrip?
A: Because by making purchases using the pre-paid cards instead of cash or credit card, a percentage of that purchase comes back to PTSC as revenue. The cards are available for retailers you already patronize regularly (Giant Eagle/Getgo, Sheetz, Lowes, Home Depot, Macy’s. Barnes & Noble, Olive Garden, TJ Maxx — and hundreds more. If you are going to spend money there anyway, why not get a percentage back?
Q: What is the percentage paid to PTSC?
A: It varies from retailer to retailer. See the GLSC retailer list at www.glscrip.com for details on each retailer. Got to the tab at the top of the web page “Retailer List” and it will take you to a page where you can view or print out a “Three Column List” which is more compact summary of the retailers and the percentage rebates paid. You can also access a more detailed list, which spells out any particulars about the usage guidelines. Many retailers also offer “specials” for a period of time during which an additional percentage is offered.
Q: How do we get credited with money earned?
A: As each family places orders, the amount earned by that family is first credited toward their allowable fund raising credit. When the allowable fund raising credit is satisfied, additional amounts raised will go into the PTSC general fund to be spent on the swimmers in this swim season. If you want to know the current status of your fund raising account, contact 105 Estates Drive, McMurray, PA 15317 (moshier@verizon.net)
Q: What happens to our credit?
A: It will be carried in your account until the end of the season (August). At that time, families roll over the credit toward the fund raising fee for next year.
Q: How many vendors participate in the program?
A: Hundreds. To view the list, go to the Great Lakes Scrip Center website at www.glscrip.com. Go to the tab at the top of the page “Retailer List” and it will take you to a page where you can view or print out a “Three Column List” which is more compact summary of the retailers and the percentage rebates paid. You can also access a more detailed list, which spells out any particulars about the usage guidelines.
Q: Can people order cards from GLSC directly?
A: No. The program is only open to non-profit organizations. Anyone can place an order through one of the approved organizations with an established account, but they accept no orders from individuals.
Members who have friends, neighbors or family who wish to participate to help the club can place orders through a club member. The fund raising credit will go to the member placing the order.
Q: How do I purchase the scrip?
A: Our coordinator is Donna Moshier.
Check the retailer list and choose the cards you want and the denominations you want the cards issued in. Use the order form we have developed for placing orders. The order form, with a check for the total amount of the order made out to PTSC, should be given to Donna. She will place the orders for the club about every two weeks, or more if the situation calls for it. Note that if you give Donna your order early, your check will not be deposited until the order is placed.
You may now also shop online at www.shopwithscrip.com. You will need to register with this site and enter PTSC as the non-profit you are fundraising for the enrollment code to do this is 8C1EB1DA12654. You are still responsible for getting your check to Donna either in person or via mail.
We are also going to offer Prestopay as a method for paying for your scrip online if you choose. Please see the website for information on how to do this.
Q: Who do we makes the checks out to when placing an order?
A: Checks are made out to PTSC. PTSC then makes payment from the club account to GLSC. Note that checks are not deposited until after the order is placed.
Q: What are the order dates?
A: Generally, orders will be placed twice a month. You will receive emails from the club announcing when orders are due and times you can meet Donna at the pool to give them to her in person. Also, she will make a special order for someone with a large order. If you are making a major purchase and wish to use the scrip cards, she can place a special order.
Q: How do we get orders to Donna?
A: You may meet Donna at the pool at designated times to drop off orders in person. These times will be announced via email.
You can also mail them to her, or drop them at her house. Her address is:
105 Estates Drive, McMurray, PA 15317
e-mail: moshier@verizon.net
Q: Are there any fees or surcharges for purchasing or using the cards?
A: None whatsoever. If you purchase a card from a retailer for $50, it is worth $50. There are no costs whatsoever to using the cards. You can use it all at once or a little at a time. It can be combined with another form of payment to make a purchase in excess of the card balance, or more than one card can be used at a time. For example, if you are making a large purchase at Lowe’s, you can use multiple cards to make your purchase.
Q: Are there any restrictions on use of the cards?
A: Sometimes, on some cards. For example, some retailers will not allow you to use the cards to pay your in-store charge accounts. Some also will begin making a monthly service charge deduction for any balances remaining on unused cards after 12 months. All usage guidelines are outlined on the long version of the retailers’ list found on the GLSC website.
Q: If we use Giant Eagle cards for our normal purchases of food, prescriptions, gasoline and videos, will we still get our fuelperks credits?
A: Yes. Using the scrip cards is exactly like using any other form of payment. The only thing you do not get fuelperks credits for is purchase of Giant Eagle gift cards and gasoline at Getgo. But you don’t get fuelperks credits for these purchases under any circumstances, so you lose nothing.
Q: What if our family and friends want to purchase cards to help our fundraising efforts?
A: Simply have them place their order through you. Any member placing orders for family, neighbors or friends will receive the fundraising credit for those orders.
Q: How long does it take to receive the cards once an order is placed?
A: Between two to five days, depending upon whether weekends or holidays affect processing and UPS delivery. There will be an e-mail to notify everyone when the shipment arrives. Donna will generally arrange to be at the pool for people to pick up orders. You can also pick them up at her house, or give her a call to make alternate arrangements.
Q: What happens when I earn enough to satisfy my allowable fund raising credit?
A: After your allowance is satisfied, amounts earned will go toward the operating expenses of the club.
Q: Will additional revenue be carried over toward next year’s operating budget?
A: No. The club operates each year from revenue generated during that year. Expenses are managed as closely as possible to the amount of money we have to spend.
Q: What if this fund raising is so successful that we have a large amount of money at the end of the season?
A: Frankly, if we end up in that happy predicament, we will find a way to utilize the money to the club’s best benefit. Chances are that if we are that successful, we will know early enough to give the kids nice gifts at the annual banquet, organize a special social event, rent time at a long course pool for summer practice, or make an additional equipment purchase.
