SCRIP Program

Substitute Currency Reaps in Profits, or SCRIP, is an easy way for nonprofits to earn money.  Over 15,000 nonprofits nationwide take advantage of this great program.  I use the scrip program through St. Charles Catholic Church to earn credit toward the gremlins' education. 

The premise is that you use scrip gift certificates instead of cash or credit for your household purchases.  Each participating company credits a certain percentage of your gift certificate purchase back to the scrip program.  At St. Charles, the school/church keeps half of that credit, and I receive the other half to use towards school tuition.  There is no 'catch' such as fees or memberships.  The only challenging part of using scrip is planning ahead and the initial outlay of cash.

An example of how the credit works:

• Meijer is sold at a 4% credit in denominations of $25, $100 and $250.  If I purchased a $100 gift certificate, St. Charles would receive $2, and I would receive $2 towards tuition.
• Bandidos is sold at a 10% credit in denominations of $5, $10 and $20.  If I purchased a $20 gift certificate, St. Charles would receive $1, and I would receive $1 towards tuition.
• Mike's Car Wash is sold at a whopping 38% credit in a denomination of $8.  With every Express Wash I purchased, St. Charles would receive $1.52, and I would receive $1.52 towards tuition.

Each nonprofit who uses scrip has their own sales times and different merchants depending on your location, but the following scenario is an example of how I use scrip through St. Charles.

• I get an order form available during the scrip sales, or many times the ladies put a new order form in the envelope with a filled order.  You can also access an order form via St. Charles Parish website. 
• I assess my scrip needs for the week.  How much grocery and gas scrip do I need?  Will I be shopping at CVS or Walgreens this week?  My husband has an emergency forgot-to-pack-lunch fast food scrip stash...does that need replenished?  I pay my Kohl's Charge Card with Kohl's scrip...do I have a bill due?  Are there any home improvement plans in the near future for which I should get Menards?  Will I be shopping for birthday or Christmas presents at specific location?  Do I need more diapers from Target?
• NOTE:  My dear husband's initial opposition to the scrip program was the concern that I would just buy certificates for any old place and not use them.  It is important to be selective when filling out the order form to ensure you are actually only purchasing certificates that will be used in a timely manner.
• I fill out the order and include a check or cash for the amount purchased.  St. Charles does allow credit card payments, but a 3.61% plus 12 cents fee is removed from your scrip credit.
• I purchase the scrip during their sales windows on Friday mornings or on Saturdays/Sundays after church.  I can even place a phone order on Mondays and pick it up during the week at the parish office or have it brought home with my child.
• I bring my scrip certificates home and immediately put them where they belong to ensure use in a timely manner and to make sure I have them when I need them.

Twice a year, St. Charles gives me a printout detailing my scrip credit that I've accumulated for the past six months.  It is not an overwhelming amount, but it is better than nothing!  One reader, Katie, mentioned that she earned almost $45 this summer, just by loading her Kroger card for gas and groceries.  I am getting tuition credit back for money I would already be spending on groceries, gas and other living expenses.  Don't forget to ask family and friends to take advantage of the scrip program in your name.