1. Raquel on October 18, 2005 11:53 AM writes...

Just read your article and the posted comments regarding SchoolPop! Agh! I am a parent who ordered from them at the beginning of the year - school supplies for the 05-06 year. Well to date I have not received them. My check cleared too! What are your thoughts on receiving the items - OR receiving a refund? How do I contact SchoolPop (oops almost wrote SchoolPoop)? Thanks!

2. Adam Viener on October 18, 2005 2:44 PM writes...

Raquel,

I guess the question is which vendor on SchoolPop did you order from? That is who you need to contact.

Adam

3. Lori on October 21, 2005 4:05 PM writes...

Have you received any additional information regarding Schoolpop's status? I received a "bankruptcy" update later, saying that the court date was postponed to November.

It seems shady to me - they owe our school over $600, but they continue to be in business, online... they are collecting money from their merchant vendors for items purchased through their portal, but they don't pay their creditors (which are SCHOOLS) and they have absolutely NOTHING on their website about this. Oh yeah, and all attempts at contacting every number or email - goes unanswered.

THoughts? Updates?
Lori

4. Scott Sanders on October 23, 2005 8:07 PM writes...

Adam,

I too have lost outo n (2) orders for school supplies through Schoolpop. It is not simply a matter of "contacting the Vendor we purchased from". Through this program, the vendor was indeed Schoolpop, at least to the consumer they were. I would like to be able to contact Ms. Scott for some straight answers as to what happened to the credit for the merchandise that we were supposed to receive. I think an acknowledgement from her and Schoolpop would be the least they can do.

5. Andrew Doan on November 10, 2005 8:28 AM writes...

I've been following Schoolpop and IGive Closely. I am shocked that Schoolpop is going under.

I am a physician and entrepreneur. My team created a competing company called www.myfundrazor.org

MyFundRazor offers a free, turn-key solution for the fundraising needs of churches, schools, and non-profit organizations.

MyFundRazor offers on average, 2X the payout of Schoolpop and IGive. If you're interested in raising money for your organization, please consider us. Our management is VERY strong with a former CFO from Weyerhaeuser, former CEO of a company that invented the DSL line, and a COO that has over 30 years of experience with software entrepreneurship. Many of our executives are physicians and academics who will take philanthropic shopping to a new level and make it sustainable.

Best regards,
Andrew Doan, MD, PhD (CEO & President, MedRounds Publications, MyFundRazor)

6. Andrew Doan on November 10, 2005 11:01 AM writes...

Our major competitor is www.schoolpop.com, and they are filing for bankruptcy! This is surprising. This company grew from $25 million to $100 million in revenue in less than 3 years. In 2004, they pulled in over $50 million in revenue, and the first quarter of 2005 they pulled in over $7 million in revenue.

This is a shame that a company that paid out more than $200 million to schools must close and reorganize.

However, this is an AWESOME opportunity for schools, churches, and non-proft organizations fundraising with www.myfundrazor.org!

MyFundRazor offers a free, turn-key solution for the fundraising needs of churches, schools, and non-profit organizations.

MyFundRazor offers on average, 2X the payout of Schoolpop and IGive. If you're interested in raising money for your organization, please consider us. Our management is VERY strong with a former CFO from Weyerhaeuser, former CEO of a company that invented the DSL line, and a COO that has over 30 years of experience with software entrepreneurship. Many of our executives are physicians and academics who will take philanthropic shopping to a new level and make it sustainable.

7. Mission for Vision on November 10, 2005 1:06 PM writes...

We read about the bankruptcy of Schoolpop. There is another alternative that we have implemented. We retain 70% of the net revenue from advertising versus about 35% of what these other organizations offer. The group that we deal with is a philanthropic organization that is interested in Free Educational Publishing and teachers can act as representatives for the company and can earn money by putting educational content on line. It seems to be a perfect marriage of schools and teachers. Check it out at http://www.missionforvisionusa.org and http://mfv.myfundrazor.org

8. Rast on April 20, 2006 1:24 PM writes...

Vesdia Corporation to Manage Schoolpop

Vesdia selected to manage Schoolpop, giving merchants the opportunity to reach out to families who support local schools by making everyday purchases.

ATLANTA (November 10, 2005) – Vesdia Corporation announced today that it has been selected to manage Schoolpop and acquired a significant equity interest in the program. Schoolpop is a nationwide, nontraditional fundraising program which allows parents and other supporters to earn money for local schools by doing their everyday shopping. Vesdia will manage the Schoolpop program, bringing new technology enhancements, program functionality, and expansion of the program’s existing merchant partners.

“Expanding our merchant partner network is a key objective for Schoolpop. We bring very loyal supporters and associated revenue in a profitable demographic to our merchants,” said Stephen Avalone, Schoolpop’s chief executive officer. “Vesdia’s focus on managing world-class private-label loyalty programs will help Schoolpop improve the quality of our program while eliminating redundant costs. Partnering with Vesdia allows us to focus on our core competency—marketing and selling the program into schools.”

Participating merchants will access and build loyalty among a coveted demographic of families with school-aged children—a group which typically spends approximately 38% more on consumer products than households without school-aged children according to the National Retail Federation. Additionally, merchants who offer rebates through programs like Vesdia’s see shopper spending increased by an average of 25%.

Founded in 1999, thousands of schools and nonprofits have enrolled nationwide. The Schoolpop program makes contributions to schools for everyday shopping purchases made online, in-stores, and in catalogs with hundreds of leading merchant partners. Parents and supporters can shop with brand-name merchants such as EddieBauer.com, Target.com, and KBToys.com, allowing recurring revenue all year long, and supplementing the heavy seasonal aspect of traditional fundraising programs.

“Vesdia operates loyalty programs that help families and individuals earn shopping rebates and direct them in a meaningful way—towards a college education, retirement, or a nonprofit of their choice. Managing the Schoolpop program is a great addition, giving our members a new way to support local education with every purchase,” said Peter Davis, Vesdia’s president and chief executive officer. “We believe the partnership also provides increased value to our current merchant partners such as Overstock.com and DiscoveryChannelStore.com who want to strengthen loyalty with growing families and give back to the community.”

“Overstock.com has been a partner of both Vesdia and Schoolpop for many years, which has not only helped us support consumers saving for college, retirement, and nonprofits, but also benefit from significant sales volume from the programs,” said Jacob Hawkins, vice president of Online Marketing for Overstock.com. “This partnership enables Overstock.com to expand our relationship with both programs and further reach out to a significant target market of growing families and assist them in supporting education.”

Vesdia’s current integration plan calls for migration of the Schoolpop program to its own patent-protected technology platform. It is also planned to merge Schoolpop and FundraiserRewards’ merchant networks, creating one of the most impressive coalitions of leading retailers and service providers in the loyalty marketing industry. Additionally, Schoolpop will offer a new Schoolpop credit card, allowing members to earn even more towards local schools—a 1% rebate on every purchase and additional rebates on purchases made within the expanded merchant network.

9. rast on April 20, 2006 1:27 PM writes...

VESDIA AND SCHOOLPOP CONTINUE EXPANDING REACH ACQUIRING ONECAUSE
Thousands of Nonprofits, Private Schools and Supporters
Added to Vesdia and Schoolpop Loyalty Programs

ATLANTA (April 1, 2006 – PR Newswire) – Vesdia, a leader in outsourced loyalty marketing technology and services, and Schoolpop, the largest nontraditional fundraising company for schools and nonprofits, announced their acquisition of OneCause, an online shopping fundraising program for private Catholic and Lutheran schools and churches. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Vesdia markets over 450 national merchant partners, such as The Sharper Image, 1-800-FLOWERS, Eddie Bauer and others, to consumers who participate in their reward programs. In 2005, Vesdia purchased a large equity interest in Schoolpop and began management of the program.

“We are always looking at ways to enhance the value we offer our merchants,” said Pete Davis, chief executive officer of Vesdia and director of Schoolpop. “Schoolpop and OneCause have collectively spent over $30 million building out a nationwide marketing channel to schools and nonprofits. Vesdia’s merchant partners are able to leverage this channel and gain access to families of school-age children at over 30,000 schools and nonprofits,” continued Davis. “Think of the value of being able to target and build loyalty among millions of new and growing families via PTA group discussions, in-school signage, flyers, posters, banners, and more, all helping to provide a better learning environment for their children. This is a merchant’s dream.”

Data from AC Neilson Household describes new and maturing families as a coveted demographic, spending about 26% more than the average consumer per year as they feed and clothe their families.

“We believe in the value of Vesdia’s programs and we consistently achieve measurable ROI through participation in the programs,” said Hans Seidenberg, leader of partnership marketing at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM®.

Merchants don’t pay up front for participating in the programs. Instead they rebate a small percentage of the sales generated as a result of the marketing. In addition to the altruistic and philanthropic aspect of programs like Schoolpop and OneCause, merchants typically receive positive first-year ROI, which has ranged up to 230%, as well as an average 17% increase in market share among participating consumers.

“Rebates are a very efficient use of marketing dollars for merchants because the expense is incurred after a purchase is made,” said Stephen Avalone, chief executive officer for Schoolpop. “In exchange for those rebates, merchants participating with Vesdia and Schoolpop loyalty programs are engaged in effective one-to-one marketing with the parents of school-age children.”

“The Sharper Image enjoys working with Vesdia. We continue to believe in the value of Vesdia’s programs, both to their members and to The Sharper Image. We look forward to a continued relationship with Vesdia,” says Betty Weinkle, director of corporate sales at The Sharper Image.

After the transition, which began April 1, OneCause supporter purchases will continue to contribute a percentage of sales back to the supporter’s chosen school or nonprofit. Schoolpop will be immediately adding a Chase credit card, which generates a 1% contribution to the parent’s chosen school on all purchases made using the card. Other programs will follow shortly.

“Joining forces with Schoolpop was the right decision for OneCause schools and supporters,” said Jim Adair, president of OneCause LLC. “Schoolpop has a successful track record of making acquisitions such as these pay off for the schools and nonprofits.”

Jim Adair will continue on with Schoolpop, focusing his efforts on business development in the Catholic and Lutheran schools market. The OneCause acquisition was preceded by previous similar asset acquisitions of SchoolCash and Technology 4 Kids, but is the first acquisition by Schoolpop since the company joined forces with Vesdia.

10. Rick Scholz on April 25, 2006 12:18 AM writes...

NEWS TO ME....

I just now learned that SchoolPop had gone bankrupt. I did a bit of research after realizing we hadn't received a check in over a year.

I never received any notifications from SchoolPop about their bankruptcy. I am also frustrated that they have no info on their website about this.

Fortunately we're only owed about $150. I just sent them an email... we'll see if I hear anything.

11. Lee Donahue on June 7, 2006 2:25 PM writes...

While we were initally very frusterated with Schoolpop, since they have reorganized into a "new' Schoolpop they have paid out monies owed from Q4 2005 and Q1 2006 on time and spent thousands of dollars to get a settlement reached with bankruptcy trustee and last week settlement checks were sent out. They have won my schoool back with good service and the bottom line is its easy for my school to earn much needed money through their shop online and credit card programs. I recommend people giving them another try

12. Sally on September 12, 2006 1:39 PM writes...

I just signed up with Schoolpop and after reading all of this I am scared that all my personal information is not safe. Does anyone have any very recent experiences, good or bad?

13. Dr. Phillip DeGrav on May 16, 2007 8:59 AM writes...

We have resigned and have had an excellent experience raising over $3,000. Congratulations on a successful program!

14. Jim Hunter on June 19, 2007 10:24 AM writes...

We signed up our church and school with Schoolpop and OneCause in Feb of 2007 and found the programs were easy to participate in and better yet, we are earning money. Our parents and parishioners are happy. I have received excellent service by their phone team.

15. Emilia on September 14, 2007 12:21 PM writes...

SchoolPop has re organized and has tied up w/ Amazon.com. They now have exclusive rights with them, which proved that the non traditional fundraising org has moved on and established itself from the bankruptcy 2yrs ago. I firmly believe that when SchoolPop re organized, the company who brought the org purchased their assets and made sure that all debts are paid.

16. Adam Viener on September 14, 2007 12:34 PM writes...

I think Linkshare just acquired it:

http://www.revenews.com/adamviener/2007/09/linkshares_parent_company_acqu.html

Adam

17. Harry on October 7, 2007 7:24 PM writes...

Emilia posted that "SchoolPop has re organized and has tied up w/ Amazon.com. They now have exclusive rights with them" Please explain what kind of exclusive rights are referred to here.

18. Adam on October 8, 2007 5:04 PM writes...

I don't think Schoolpop is wrapped up with Amazon. It looks like SchoolPop has been ultimately acquired by Linkshare's parent company Rakuten USA.

http://www.revenews.com/adamviener/2007/09/linkshares_parent_company_acqu.html

School pop was woned by CauseLoyalty.com prior to the aquisition, and I beieve I read somewhere that Vesdia was managing the site for a while.

Adam

19. Emilia on November 26, 2007 12:22 PM writes...

please go to this link to know more: http://affiliatefairplay.com/newsblog/2007/09/05/rakuten-buys-causeloyaltycom/