With tighter budgets in schools, fundraising is the best way to keep popular programs. Schools around the United States are suffering from severe budget cuts, now is the time to think about where money is going to come from this fall. The best solution? Eco-friendly fundraising. Not only are green fundraising programs a good solution for needed funds, but they are a chance to promote sustainability in communities and educate children on the importance of taking care of the planet.

School budgets, which typically grow at a slightly higher rate than inflation are currently either growing much slower or staying level. In addition, the drop in states’ revenue from sales tax and recent job losses will affect next year’s budgets. In this economy, there are fewer and fewer options for school activities and programs that cost extra money.

With eco-friendly fundraising programs from Green Benefits, schools and organizations can raise the money they need to give students the same opportunities and privileges as before. Green Benefits offers many programs that will give the opportunity for community education and growth in a sustainable way.

Green fundraisers are a perfect way to start off the new school year, and there are several programs available that can fit any need. Teaching children how to increase sustainability in their community and the importance of the local environment will help them live a greener lifestyle in the future. Some options for green fundraising are selling reusable bags, water bottles, and organic chocolate.

From reusable water bottles to Free Trade organic chocolate, Green Benefits is providing schools around the country with green solutions for fundraising so that kids can help out their environment while helping themselves. Green fundraising, in addition to raising money for school programs, can be used as a learning tool for children. As opposed to selling just popcorn and magazines, green fundraising reduces the carbon footprint of the community as well as raising the needed funds for a school. At the same time, it teaches kids how green fundraising impacts their environment encourages them to lead an eco-conscious lifestyle in the future.

Schools like Ames elementary in Riverside Illinois love the Green Benefits programs because of the positive message to the kids. The parents enjoy it because they aren’t just buying junk for the sake of a fundraiser, but actually contributing to the sustainable movement. Other schools that have enjoyed these programs are the CHS cheer team in California, the BMS band in Indiana, the UHS travel club in Massachusetts and Garfield High School Vocal Music Club in Seattle.

Green Benefits is committed to making a positive difference in the community by helping to increase the environmental awareness through green fundraising. They believe the time has come to act in accordance with sustainably-minded goals and values, and contribute to a brighter future. Schools are in the unique position to give the gift of knowledge, and to empower their communities to act as better stewards of the environment. The team at green benefits is dedicated to helping schools use green fundraising for money as well as raising environmental awareness.

According to Derek VanDyke, founder of Green Benefits, “everything we do has the chance to educate. Marketers often forget the impact they can have, instead of just peddling their products.”

Green fundraising programs through Green Benefits include: a direct selling fundraiser, a catalog fundraiser, and online web fundraiser and the opportunity for non-traditional green fundraising. This company is unique to other green fundraising organizations in that they can create customized programs from pre-approved products. The most popular green fundraising products are reusable water bottles and bags, as well as Free Trade organic chocolate and customized eco-friendly T-shirts; there are custom and non-custom options for designs and logos for all green fundraising products.

Last week as a part of their new BECOME campaign in the Cayman Islands, the Corporate Green Team Network gave away green reusable bags to promote sustainability in their delicate marine life ecosystem. The bags featured the slogan, BECOME eco-friendly, BECOME plastic free, BECOME a smart consumer, CAYMAN BECOME Green. These bags were made out of 50% recycled plastic and printed with a natural soy-based ink. Starting June 12, they were given away for free at Foster Food Fair, Kirk Supermarket and Hurley’s stores around the island.

The Corporate Green Team Network or CGTN, is comprised of businesses that are committed to creating a sustainable environment and teaching their communities what it means to become eco-friendly. In the Cayman Islands each year, 12 million plastic bags are disposed of, and these bags, unlike green reusable bags, can never fully compost. They break into small pieces and are ingested by the wildlife on the Islands and in the ocean. These toxins and plastic are harmful to the animals, the eco systems and the people who eat the fish that have been contaminated.

Buying one eco friendly reusable bag can remove the need for over 22,000 plastic bags; this is why Green Benefits provides and promotes green programs like reusable bag fundraisers. Other organizations such as The City of Sea-Tac in Washington State, Kellog School of Management in Illinois and Eaton House School in London, England have also decided to use more sustainable practices and make green reusable bags a part of their organization. Green reusable bags are lightweight, easy and convenient to use and washable; they come in all styles, sizes and colors and are customizable with any logo or design.

According to John Hamlin, Founder of Green Benefits, “our eco-friendly reusable bags are some of our most popular products, and people love that they can be used as a teaching opportunity on sustainability.”

Communities should take notice of the BECOME campaign and the eco-friendly reusable bags in the Cayman Islands, and follow their example. Direct communication to the community about sustainability, and the harmful effects of plastic waste, is the best way to incite change.

learn more about CAYMAN BECOME