PledgeCents offers a way for schools K-12 to fundraise besides the traditional bake sale
A new crowdfunding website dedicated to raising funds for public schools, is launching Saturday, April 13, at the National School Boards Association’s 2013 conference in San Diego. PledgeCents will connect individual investors and corporations with schools seeking alternative ways to offset recent educational funding cuts.
“The slow economic recovery continues to impact school funding across the United States. Many educators are waking to the realization that they must find alternative funding for programs, services and supplies which are at risk of being cut.”
Ricky Johnson, co-founder of PledgeCents, said the new crowdfunding website will help public schools continue offering programs, services and school supplies that are desperately needed to maintain, or raise, the educational standards for children. “The slow economic recovery continues to impact school funding across the United States. Many educators are waking to the realization that they must find alternative funding for programs, services and supplies which are at risk of being cut.”
School projects which crowdfunding can help include:
- Equipment for marching bands and athletics
- Field trips involving tour buses or overnight lodging
- School security personnel or monitoring equipment
- Supplies for science labs, art or theater
“PledgeCents is open to any schools with funding needs,” said Andyshea Saberioon, co-founder and CEO of PledgeCents. “Many educators we consulted said they want to fund a wide variety of micro-projects that would otherwise either be underfunded or completely eliminated. Now, teachers can create projects they need financial help on while administrators can control the process and provide oversight to ensure funding priorities are met.”
Students can join in the fundraising activity by wearing “PledgeCents bracelets,” which come in a variety of school colors and feature a penny to remind them that “every cent counts” toward making the world a better place through education. PledgeCents will also award monthly monetary prizes to school campaigns that raise the most funds.
Unlike some crowdfunding websites, fundraising campaigns on PledgeCents will be paid to the school regardless of whether the project is fully funded.