National PTA, Visa and OneCause Launch the National PTA Credit Card

CHICAGO (Nov. 17, 2008) – The National PTA, the nation’s largest child advocacy organization, announced today that it has selected OneCause, a simple program allowing schools to earn contributions from everyday shopping, to provide the official PTA Visa® Platinum credit card, for which OneCause will contribute 1 percent of every purchase to PTAs nationwide.

“For decades, PTA has provided parents with resources that benefit their families and children,” said Jan Harp Domene, PTA national president. “OneCause offers the most comprehensive program for PTA supporters. Combining the credit card with the everyday shopping programs will bring meaningful dollars into local PTAs that need it.” She added, “There are more than 25,000 PTAs across the country and more than five million members. That represents a lot of shopping and benefits for families.” 

Issued by Chase Card Services, in partnership with OneCause, the co-branded credit card will feature the PTA logo and colors. In many cases, the first time every new card is used, PTAs will earn a one-time $20 contribution. After that, 1 percent of all purchases made anywhere Visa [NYSE: V] is accepted, will be contributed to PTAs.  The card becomes available to supporters on Nov. 20th 2008.
 
“This is a great opportunity for everyone involved,” said Stephen Avalone, president of CauseLoyalty LLC., which operates the OneCause program.  “PTAs will add a new revenue source that parents will embrace because it’s simple and focuses on everyday products that they buy anyway.  Participating merchants win loyal supporters in profitable demographics.”

Participating merchants access and build loyalty among two coveted demographics; families with school-aged children—a group which spends approximately 38% more on consumer products than households without school-aged children, according to the National Retail Federation and cause minded shoppers of which 79%, according to research from Cone Inc., will switch to brands associated with their cause.

In addition to the credit card, OneCause helps PTA supporters earn contributions when they shop online, in stores and catalogs, or at neighborhood merchants. Every time an eligible purchase is made at any OneCause participating merchant, up to 20% is contributed back to the PTA, at no extra cost to the PTA or the supporter.

To apply for the National PTA credit card or join OneCause, visit www.onecause.com/onevoice.

About the PTA
As the nation’s largest volunteer parent organization, PTA comprises more than 5 million members, including parents, students, educators, school administrators, and business and community leaders. With more than 25,000 local units, PTA flourishes in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Department of Defense schools in Europe and the Pacific.PTA is a registered 501©(3) nonprofit organization. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned about the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

About OneCause
By bringing together supporters, nonprofits and merchants into one online community, OneCause helps causes and schools engage current supporters, attract new supporters and increase contributions by blending social networking with social shopping and contributions from everyday shopping. Founded in 1999, OneCause programs have contributed more than $200 million dollars to thousands of nonprofit causes and schools—without any direct donations.  OneCause is operated by CauseLoyalty LLC., a subsidiary of Rakuten (JASDAQ: 4755), Inc. With U.S. headquarters in Boston, Rakuten is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive Internet service companies, with services in e-commerce, portal and media, travel, financial services, and professional sports.  

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management, and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan, Chase and WaMu brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

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CONTACTS:

James Martinez
National PTA  
(312) 670-6782, ext. 325
jmartinez@pta.org

Robyn Lorusso
OneCause
(888) 200-2088, ext. 731
media@onecause.com

Gail Hurdis
Chase Card Services
(302) 282-2553
gail.hurdis@chase.com