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Harding Scrip Program

Introducing Harding Academy’s Lion Scrip Program

What is Scrip?

Scrip is a term that means “substitute money.” When, as members of the Harding family, we purchase scrip, we're purchasing negotiable gift certificates that are used just like cash. The scrip is issued by the national and local retailers where many of us already shop. These merchants want to support non-profit organizations, and in return ask us to support them by shopping with scrip at their stores. Harding Academy families can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, we earn revenue to support the Academy’s Annual Fund.

How scrip generates revenue for Harding Academy:

The Great Lakes Scrip center acts on behalf of Harding Academy as well as other schools, churches, and non-profit organizations to purchase large amounts of scrip from grocery stores, department stores, and other retailers. Because the scrip is purchased with cash up front, participating retailers offer a substantial discount. The Academy buys the scrip from Great Lakes Scrip Center at a discount, and re-sells the certificates to our families for full face value. The bulk of the discount - from 2% to 15% or more - is retained by Harding Academy as revenue. The money collected supports our Annual Fund ensuring our ability to provide a quality, Christian educational experience for our students while holding tuition and fees to the lowest amount possible. Our L.E.A.P., REACH, technology, and financial aid programs are just a few areas supported by the annual fund.

Scrip is “shopping cart fundraising.” The reason for the effectiveness of scrip is simple: families generate revenue through purchases they would make anyway. Groceries, clothing, toys, gifts, even gasoline can be purchased with scrip. An organization of 150 families easily spends between one and two million dollars per year on food, clothing and other essentials. If these families use scrip for these purchases, they can raise as much as $40,000 to $80,000 per year for their organization --without spending an additional penny. Harding Academy currently consists of approximately 1500 families.

Retailers like scrip, too. Families who purchase scrip certificates actively support the retailers who participate in this program. The reason is simple… they know that buying from a scrip participating retailer provides a steady source of revenue for our school.

From where do the scrip certificates come?

GLSC purchases the certificates directly from the retailers. The certificates we provide to our coordinators are the same gift certificates you would buy if you went to the participating retailer and purchased them yourself.

Can I use the scrip certificates anywhere?

Yes, the certificates are accepted at all participating retailer locations. Additional retailers can be found at http://glscrip.com/retailerlist/index.aspx.

How often can I order?

Currently, we plan to order twelve times a year. Orders are due to the Development Office at Cherry Road by 4:00 PM on the last business day of the month. Orders should be submitted to the school’s elementary or early childhood offices one day prior to the deadline in order to be delivered to the Development Office on time. Orders will be placed on the first business day of each month.

Does it cost my family anything to participate? Do we have to sell anything?

There are no membership fees or application fees. You simply pay Harding the face value for the scrip certificates you order. The beauty of the scrip concept lies in the fact that Harding Academy families raise money for the school by using their existing household shopping budget. Some families may enlist relatives, friends, and neighbors to buy scrip. But unlike other fundraising programs, scrip families do not have to “sell” anything to raise money to support the school. Note: We cannot accept credit card payment for scrip orders.

When will I get my order?

Whenever possible, our goal will be to provide a one week turn around from the date we place the order until the order is delivered to your child’s Harding location. We cannot guarantee that all orders will be received that quickly. We do ask that you provide an email address on your order form so that we can notify you that your order has been delivered.

Call Harding's Advancement Office at 901/767-1033 for more information.