Mark Twain Museum Announces Fundraising that Costs Donors Nothing

The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is taking a new approach to fundraising that doesn’t cost donors anything.  Online shoppers start at GoodSearch.com or eScrip.com, designate the Museum as the recipient, and the merchants donate a percentage of each sale back to the Museum – at no cost to the shopper.

“We’re counting on the public’s comfort with online shopping to create new revenue streams for the Museum,” said interim executive director, Dr. Cindy Lovell.  “If folks are already shopping at sites like Amazon, Target, and BestBuy, their purchases can generate donations to the Museum at no additional cost to them.  They simply start their shopping at GoodSearch.com or eScrip.com.”

Ryan Murray, Marketing and Community Relations Manager, explained how it works.  “Hundreds of merchants have partnered with GoodSearch and eScrip to donate a percentage of sales back to selected non-profits.  We are asking those who shop online to begin with either of these sites and select the Museum as its recipient.”  Participating merchants range from iTunes to Kohl’s to Wal-Mart.   Online shoppers simply log on, choose the Museum, and shop.  They can also log onto eScrip to register their grocery rewards cards from stores such as Schnucks or Safeway.  Then each trip to the grocery store can send a little something back to the Museum.

“These are unusual times,” Lovell said.  “People want to support the Museum, but it’s hard to take money out of their personal budgets.  The merchants took a creative approach here.  If you’re already shopping online for items you can’t find in Hannibal, why not let the merchants make a donation back to the Museum?  It’s one of those rare ‘win-win’ situations.”

Further details and links to participating programs can be found on the Museum’s website, www.MarkTwainMuseum.org.