FamilyMan

I can see now that there are different scratch card programs. Let me explain again the one I am familiar with because it is different from what is explained above. This still may not make any difference in the end, but at least we will be working with a better understanding. The Fun Money scratch card had a total of 15 scratch circles. Under each one is $1, $2, $3, $4 or $5. When all 15 scratches are made, the total donation amounts to $50. The program calls for the organization to arrange for something of value to be given in exchange for the donation. In our case we went to a local restaurant and they arranged for us to print a limited number (540) of Buy-One-Get-One coupons for their restaurant. It was the purchase of one meal with a second of equal or less value free. This was good for up to an $8.00 value for the free meal. So, for each scratch, regardless of amount scratched, the donor received a coupon. The charge for each scratch card was $5.00 so the net earned was $45.00. In this case, the donor gets something of value in excess of the amount donated because of the restaurants coupon contribution. The restaurant got free advertising in a highly targeted way and the kids made big bucks. It appears other scratch card programs may be presented differently. Does the approach just explained give any more room for acceptability? I don't know for sure. There is still the idea that people are donating different amounts for the same product so perhaps the "game of chance" is still a feature even if the total donated is more than off-set by the restaurant coupon. Just because everyone is happy with the program doesn't mean it isn't building into the kids some questionable values. Thank you for the input.

I am really appreciating this discussion. It is helping me think, sort and, hopefully, clarify all this. However, no one has commented on this part of my previous post: "For example, when my boys are doing popcorn (probably never again) and get some donations in addition to the sale price of the popcorn, they don't turn it down. In fact, they will sometimes (very rarely) use part of the donations to help fill out a slightly short payment on a popcorn sale where someone really wants to help but is a dollar short. In the end, everyone is benefited and happy." Also, is it really a "game of chance" or "gambling" if the consumer gets something of value that is worth more than the amount of the contribution? Or, does an unequal contribution for an equal product constitute the problem? Thanks for the discussion.

To give another take on this . . . . A scratchcard is, or can be, simply seen as providing a variable price for a product. For example, when my boys are doing popcorn (probably never again) and get some donations in addition to the sale price of the popcorn, they don't turn it down. In fact, they will sometimes (very rarely) use part of the donations to help fill out a slightly short payment on a popcorn sale where someone really wants to help but is a dollar short. In the end, everyone is benefited and happy. The scratchcard program that we have used--http://www.fundraisingthatworks.org/FunMoney.html-- stongly recommends that a valuable product be provided: we used a BOGO local restaurant coupon worth up to $8.00. The card has scratches that reveal between $1 and $5. For each scratch, regarless of amount revealed, the purchaser gets a coupon. This was by far the best fundraising program we have ever done and everyone participating was happy. The consumer knew they were supporting a good cause and didn't resent overpaying for a product, the restaurant received free advertising to a highly targeted audience (they like to have the kind of people that support good causes) and the boys were elated at the income realized for their efforts. I will be happy to accept whatever the prevailing opinion is regarding the suitability of this approach for the scouts; however, it does seem to me that we are dealing with nuances that are subject to interpretation.

Whew! Good work guys. That was almost as hard as being married. Your wives really have great spouses. Now, let's get back to fundraising!

Our troop does the popcorn sales and, except for 2, or sometimes 3, no one does very well with it--especially for the amount of time/effort to do it. Obviously, we want to participate in good faith by supporting the council, etc.; however, it seems there may be other approaches that would be more productive for all concerned. When you find a serious moneymaker fundraiser that can be done anytime, anywhere that generates more money with less time/effort, it might be worthwhile to do it instead of popcorn and share with the entities that receive popcorn shares. We are giving this serious consideration having observed what others in the area have done with a program called Fun Money. Of course, there are the 2 or 3 that have an identity with popcorn sales because of their successes, so we may have to provide the options--popcorn, Fun Money or both. Its my bet that the success of Fun Money will quickly cause us to put popcorn sales behind us--but not at the expense of those who benefit from the popcorn sales.

I think part of what you are concerned with relates to location. There are some parts of the Denver metro area (where I live) that are harder to motivate members than others. In the north area, we have several troops where money is needed to do what they want to do and the kids are motivated to do it. I think we will be looking into the Fun Money and/or Lunch Money programs that my sons did for their hockey (yes, both scouts and sports!). It raised money faster than anything we had ever seen before by twice the amount. That is another motivator--success. When the kids see the money coming in for their efforts they are motivated to continue. Averaging $35-$40 an hour will do that most of the time.