Fundraising

Why do we do fundraising? Following the defeat of a school referendum in 2001, the G/T department lost approximately 8% staff and almost half of their supplies budget which covers not only paper and pencils but also printing of materials, professional magazine subscriptions, professional seminars such as the National Association of Gifted Children conference, and teacher training. While gifted education had never before been adequately supported by the state, this was a defining moment for us at EPCGT. We felt that we needed to do what we could to “step into the breech,” not only for gifted staff directly but also for academic programs and services that help gifted students.

We have raised funds in a number of different ways and, more importantly, put money raised back into varied academic programs at all grade levels. Our science nights are not primarily fundraisers, and therefore not listed below, but any profits made there are used to further science education in the schools. For more information on how funds have been used, please see Service to Our Community and Mini-grants.

Amazon.com

For many of us, Amazon is a good shopping source. EPCGT has set up an “Associate” relationship with Amazon.com, so any purchases made there by way of our website (link in navigation bar, at bottom of home page, or on Gift Ideas page) will provide a 6+% return to us. We would appreciate it if you would keep that in mind and, in what we hope is a painless way, continue to help us support academic programs. Many of the items on our Gift Ideas list can be found at Amazon.

Amazon aStore

In May of 2006, we created our Amazon aStore as a way to easily showcase our suggestions from Gift Ideas to our annual Great Reads list. If you link to the store through us (icon at bottom of home page or on Gift Ideas page, we will receive 6+% of your purchase.

Food Perspectives

We added Food Perspectives as a fun way for everyone to earn some money while tasting food samples. Food Perspectives calls or emails you 3-5 times a year to see if you qualify for their taste tests, once qualified you are directed to several local areas in the West Metro. Tastes tests are 30-90 minutes long and usually pay the tester (you) between $15-$65, while EPCGT will automatically earn $5-$15 for each of our registered testers, each time they test.
If you would like to join, please click here to register and list "EPCGT" as your organization. Thank you!

United Way

For those of you who have the opportunity to give to the United Way through your employer, we’d like you to know you can specify that your contribution go to EPCGT’s parent organization, the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT). Unfortunately, because we do not have 501c3 status as an official nonprofit organization, you cannot donate directly to EPCGT. However, MCGT will forward any percentage of your donation on to our chapter, EPCGT, at your request.

If you choose to make your donation to MCGT and/or EPCGT, just let the MCGT office know that you have made a donation and let them know where you would like the money to go. It’s that easy! The MCGT office can be reached at (952) 848-4906.

If you do intend to make a contribution to EPCGT, please let our Treasurer know, too, so our records can be kept current. Thank you for your support!