|
8/18/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2009
New Capital One, OneCause.com Partnership Enhances PTA Fundraising Efforts
Personalized Affinity Credit Card Program Allows PTA Members
to Support Local Schools While Making Everyday Purchases
McLean, Va. (Aug. 18, 2009) – Today, Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) announced a new partnership with OneCause.com, an online community focused on turning everyday purchases into contributions for cause-based groups, that will establish a unique new way for Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to enhance their fundraising and raise awareness for their efforts. The National PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the U.S., and this new program allows consumers to easily contribute and support the activities of their local PTA through their everyday shopping.
“With budget cuts in many school districts across the country, securing funds is an even bigger priority,” said Tom Nguyen, Resource Development Director for the National PTA. “This innovative program brings in recurring revenue that is extremely beneficial to the organization at all levels without competing with existing fundraising efforts and programs. Parents who already use a credit card to make purchases can turn that into another way to give back to their local community and support their school.”
When local PTAs register for Capital One’s Card Lab Connect credit card affinity program for nonprofits, they can create a series of up to three uniquely designed credit cards for their organization and use online tools to encourage their supporters to apply for the card. All rewards earned on these cards, including one percent of net purchases and an additional contribution of $25 for the first purchase made on every card, go directly to the national, state and local PTAs.
“Unlike other affinity card programs involving national organizations, this program’s emphasis on ’local’ contributions gives people a convenient way to support the very important activities of their school and their community,” said Pam Girardo, spokesperson for Capital One. “Plus, the customized card designs can reflect local school priorities and allow them to outwardly show their support for the organization.”
Through the new Card Lab Connect and OneCause partnership, PTA members’ daily purchases can augment their contributions when card users shop through the OneCause.com site (www.onecause.com/PTAProgram). OneCause allows everyday shopping to make a difference by channeling cardholders to more than 750 well-known merchants and service providers, who contribute between 0.5% and 40% of online purchases to the cause of their choice. Users also receive coupons and special deals when they shop online through OneCause. To date, OneCause has helped more than 30,000 causes and schools nationwide receive more than $200 million in contributions.
“It’s the multiplier effect that makes the OneCause and CardLab Connect combination truly unique. Together, OneCause and Capital One are providing consumers a new way to engage and support their schools or causes without having to write another check,” said Stephen Avalone, President at OneCause. “The goal of OneCause is to connect consumers who care about making a difference to like-minded merchants willing to support the local communities their customers are in. This partnership is a prime example of businesses and community working together. Why wouldn’t you use a card that helps you save money and helps your favorite school or cause?”
The partnership was developed following a successful launch of Card Lab Connect (www.cardlabconnect.com), which allows nonprofit organizations of any size to set up and market their own affinity card program. As with the One Cause-PTA program, each transaction generates a contribution to the affiliated nonprofit organization. There are no complicated contract negotiations, no member quotas and no exchange of membership/mailing lists as is the case with most other affinity programs. Participating organizations report that the program not only helps them raise funds but also helps to raise their profiles through the custom card design feature.
To learn more about the Capital One Card Lab Connect, OneCause, PTA partnership, visit
www.onecause.com/PTAProgram.
About the National PTA
PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth.
About Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $116.7 billion in deposits and $146.3 billion in managed loans outstanding as of June 30, 2009. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.. Capital One is committed to enhancing the well-being of individuals and families in our local communities and strongly believes in the valuable role that non-profit organizations play in our society. Card Lab Connect accompanies Capital One’s No Hassle Giving Site that allows cardholders to donate to their favorite causes of choice at www.capitalone.com/give. Capital One covers the transaction costs for every donation, ensuring that 100 percent of the donation is delivered to their charity program.
About OneCause
OneCause blends social networking, social shopping and loyalty marketing to help consumers support their favorite school or cause. The OneCause.com community brings together schools/nonprofits, their supporters and merchants into one online community - to raise contributions through everyday shopping. When supporters make a purchase from participating merchants, a percentage of the purchases is contributed, at no additional cost, to the supporter’s chosen school or nonprofit. 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, Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755). With U.S. headquarters in Boston, Rakuten is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive Internet service companies. Learn more at www.onecause.com.
# # #
|
