FETC 2017 Coverage

Schools Aim to Fundraise $1 Million by Partnering with ClassTag

New Marketplace feature on the free app generates ‘cashback’ funds for schools and classrooms every time parents go shopping online.

• By Richard Chang
• 01/25/17

ClassTag, a free parent engagement app for teachers and schools, is unveiling a pilot launch of its Marketplace feature to boost schools’ funding. The announcement is being made at this week’s Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, FL.

As state and local funding for schools continues to decline, ClassTag is expanding on its mission to help schools turn parents into partners by helping them raise funds needed for their children’s education. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, approximately 31 states provide less support per student now than in 2008.

The ClassTag marketplace generates “cashback” funds for schools or classrooms every time parents do their regular shopping online. Funds can be used at school discretion for supplies, field trips, technology and other school and classroom needs. So far, 100 pilot schools have received free access to the ClassTag marketplace.

“Affiliate programs have been around for decades,” said Jason Olim, ClassTag’s co-founder and chief technical officer, in a statement. “Even before the internet, schools raised funds through scrip and other programs to help support their mission. What is different with ClassTag’s program is that affiliate shopping is integrated into school communications, making it easier and more likely for parents to use it.”

ClassTag’s marketplace pilots with Amazon in a program that has reported on average $1,500 per year spending by its Prime members and $625 per year by non-members.

“Amazon alone represents a potential of $10,000 for an average elementary school based on its program,” said Vlada Lotkina, ClassTag’s CEO, in a statement. “We have created the opportunity for $1 million (in) funds by the end of 2017 for the schools currently in the program. The key to achieving this goal is changing parents’ behavior to actually utilize this opportunity, and that is why we are so excited about this partnership that builds on ClassTag’s parent communication and engagement platform that the schools rely on to improve parent involvement.”

ClassTag is a New York-based web and mobile platform that aims to help schools turn parents into partners by simplifying all communications and scheduling and motivating parents to get involved.

ClassTag is exhibiting this week at FETC in booth 2153. For more information, visit ClassTag’s website.