This Spring, 12 schools across the US holding a walk-a-thon, jog-a-thon, read-a-thon, or other “a-thon” will be selected to receive one-on-one online fundraising support from Yapper Girl and a fundraiser’s toolkit, valued at more than $3,000!

18 months ago, I set out to make a difference in education by helping schools raise more money through online fundraising. Why? Public school budgets are continually in question and private school tuitions don’t cover the full costs. Schools are not whole without the support of PTAs, Home & School Clubs, PTOs, and other private funding.

My confidence came from improving donations 25% for my son’s school walk-a-thon with online fundraising in the first year. I wasn’t surprised but was amazed that kids (and their parents) who raised pledges online averaged $2.40 to every $1 raised by the kids doing it the old-school way (paper form, cash, check). It was clear that linking email and facebook to our students’ personal fundraising webpages created a new opportunity to spread the word for education across the country and around the world (we received donations from as far as Australia!).

That success soon turned into Yapper Girl, my venture to connect schools and other nonprofits with the technology that could raise more money with the added benefit of making their busy jobs more efficient. By developing the online fundraising platform and the right communication behind it, we have delivered thousands of dollars more to schools, now able to build playgrounds, provide arts education, and buy more classroom materials.

“It was good working with Yapper Girl. I’m very happy we had such a great response. Well worth it!” – Alexis Hoekstra, Noddin Elementary Home & School Club (raised nearly $14,000 more!). Check out all the success stories!

I’m excited to announce a new program developed in partnership with Fundly (easy, social fundraising), which enables Yapper Girl to connect more schools with online fundraising at no charge for personalized, one-on-one support. It’s called the “12 Schools in 12 Weeks Challenge“! Details are in the message below.

I could use your help! Are you or do you know a K-12 school PTA, PTO, Boosters Club, other parent association or development director planning a walk-a-thon, jog-a-thon, read-a-thon, spell-a-thon, or any “a-thon” this Spring, please forward this message to them and make an introduction with me. Their school could win one-on-one online fundraising support from Yapper Girl and a fundraiser’s toolkit valued at more than $3,000, so they can raise significantly more money with Fundly.

Thanks for your continued support of my endeavor!

12 SCHOOLS in 12 WEEKS FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
Take the challenge and increase donations up to 20% or more for your K-12 School “a-thon” event this Spring! Schools sign up here to apply.

It’s simple.Schools don’t need to invent a new fundraiser to raise more money. Online fundraising takes your existing pledge fundraiser and expands its potential by spreading the word across the country and around the world, allowing more people the convenience of donating to your school online – with a credit card!

The contest. 12 public and private schools will be selected to receive:
A fun and easy-to-use Fundly.com fundraising website tailored to the school’s event
One-on-one guidance and support from Yapper Girl 6 weeks before and throughout the event
Personalized student fundraising webpages and class teams
Links to email, facebook, and twitter so students and their families can request support from friends and relatives instantly on their schedule
Free one-on-one support from Yapper Girl and a Fundraiser’s Toolkit, valued at more than $3,000. Fundraiser’s Toolkit includes: 3’ x 6’ event banner, Professionally designed fliers and poster, Getting Started Guide, Schools FAQ, Prize give-aways, and a photo book to capture highlights of your event

Take the challenge. School eligibility requirements:
Walk-a-thon, Jog-a-thon, Read-a-thon or other “a-thon” fundraiser scheduled between March 9 and June 2, 2012
Located in the 50 United States or District of Columbia
Provide an interview, photos/video, and quote to Fundly for a School Success Story once the fundraiser is complete
School/PTA/PTO pays Fundly’s standard online processing fees (everything else provided by Fundly at NO COST!)

Up for the challenge? Sign up here (no obligation).

For more information, contact Suzanne at 408.409.0734 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Fundly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Help us put more money into YOUR KIDS’ education!