Choosing Between an Online or Paper Order FundScrip Campaign

This is a question we hear often. Most people that contact us understand the concept of Fundscrip. They see its enormous potential and they are already sold on the program and what it can do for their group.  So when faced with the decision on how to setup the program (online ordering or paper order forms) they weigh both options and usually want to pick what appears to be the easier program – online ordering.

But here are a few points that you may not have thought about with the ONLINE PROGRAM:

• Most of the people you will be approaching to participate in Fundscrip don’t know as much about the program as you do and they may not fully understand it
• Your potential supporters may not like EFT or online banking
• Your potential supporters may not understand how to sign up from the instructions in a letter you send them
• Your potential supporters may not be all that attached to the goal of why you are raising the money
• The online program needs to run continuously (weekly or bi-weekly) so it requires constant monitoring
• Shipping charges will be a factor as the more orders you make, the more shipping charges you can incur

However, we have seen great results from groups that chose the PAPER PROGRAM:

• It’s intuitive – your supporters receive an order form; they fill it out; send it back with a cheque. A little while later, their order arrives!
• It’s simple for your supporters and if the order process is made VERY easy, your supporters can’t find objections and elect not to participate
• A blitz-style paper campaign is effective because it has a start date and an end-date a couple of weeks’ later (great for the volunteers you will need to enlist to help you).
• Best of all, our product is something you can ask your supporters to buy over and over again (who doesn’t need groceries & gas every week?) so you will see repeat participation each time you send out an order form.

How can you tell if the PAPER PROGRAM is right for your group?

• Do you have a group with over 75 potential supporters?
• Do you rarely (if ever) see your potential supporters?
• Do you send information to your potential supporters through a third party (ex., a child’s knapsack, an email chain, snail mail)
• Do you invite your potential supporters to meetings regularly, but only a handful show up?
• Are there too many potential supporters for you and your volunteers to contact by telephone to explain this program one-to-one?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you should be implementing a PAPER PROGRAM

Here are some tips and suggestions on how to run a SUCCESSFUL PAPER PROGRAM:

• You can promote and market the program around the paper order form deadline to create a buzz
• You can setup a table at events where your supporters are gathered to promote Fundscrip – especially when you have an up-coming order deadline
• You can encourage your supporters to get their family & friends to buy gift cards too
• You can ask if anyone works for a company that buys gift cards to give as employee incentives or bonuses. They might be willing to buy their cards from your group as well
• Be sure and approach any staff and/or administration to participate
• Make sure your committee members lead by example and participate regularly
• Most groups using paper order forms will do 4-6 campaigns throughout the year