Get it 4 School Case Study

Client Profile and Issue

Get it 4 School is a new e-commerce programme; offering schools fundraising opportunities through the sales from an individual school web-shop. Get it 4 School establishes the website on behalf of the school and will forego all commercial operating profit on the sales of school uniforms; returning this money to the schools, providing them with a valuable long-term fundraising tool.

Get it 4 School approached Whitehouse to help them develop the programme nationwide.

Our Strategy

We immediately acknowledged the social benefits of this innovative scheme; driving down school uniform prices and reducing the burden on low income families as well as providing a much-needed boost to school coffers.

Knowing that these elements would be attractive to parliamentarians Whitehouse sought to build awareness of Get it 4 School in Westminster. Once MPs were familiar with the programme, relationships were established to ensure parliamentarians would be willing to help increase awareness among LEAs and schools in their constituencies by contacting them directly. Our additional initial activity also focussed on bodies like the National Governors Council and Local Government Association, who were similarly supportive; driving interest in the scheme.

Outcome

Get it 4 School has been overwhelmed by demand; there are now 50 schools involved and gaining substantial benefits. With such a level of interest, the programme has had to stop accepting schools while it focuses on delivering for this first wave and has started a growing waiting list of those keen to participate in the programme.

We are now in contact with key policy makers – taking Get it 4 School to HM Treasury and Downing Street – to discuss the possibility of a programme of government support for schools to assist with them with e-commerce/fundraising activities. In combination with this innovative scheme, this could herald a revolution in school fundraising.