What We're Thankful For

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here. We don’t usually like to play favorites, but this holiday is definitely at the top of the list. Thanksgiving is all about spreading goodwill, and in a way, it reminds us why we do what we do in the first place.

Today, we want to share how grateful we are for those who make our work at Altruistic Apps possible.

We’re grateful for…

Our How and Our Why

If you’ve been following along on the blog for awhile, you’ve probably begun to see how much we care about helping schools and students succeed. You’ve also started to learn about what we do, and you’ve met some of the businesses, principals and parents we’re working with. However, it’s been awhile since you’ve heard anything from us about how our School Supporter app works or why we’re doing what we’re doing, and today, we’d like to address just that.

What better way to learn more about us than straight from the source, right?

Business Spotlight: Freshii

Our School Supporter app provides a way for caring companies to really make a difference. Today, we’re introducing you to another business that has made the commitment to partner with its community and give back, Freshii.

Jamie Maloney is a mother of five herself, so she knows the power of quality education. She also knows a good fundraiser when she sees it. As the owner of Freshii, Jamie says she is incredibly pleased that half of her marketing dollars are going directly to the school she’s supporting. She describes it as “the best of two worlds” - coupons for fast, healthy eating and support of local schools.

Freshii from Altruistic Apps LLC on Vimeo.

Four Ways to Give Your Kids A Giving Spirit

Remember Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote?

Your kids have probably heard it, too, but they might not understand what it really means.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and there’s no better time to instill a generous spirit in your children. As you prepare for parties and family gatherings, make plans to show your kids what really matters -- how to give back and put others first. Together with your family, start changing the world, one step at a time.

Educational and Inexpensive: Last Minute Halloween Ideas

Fall is flying by, and Halloween is tomorrow! This holiday tends to be a favorite for kids, since it incorporates two of their favorite things: costumes and candy. In the midst of the dress up fun, it’s also a great chance to squeeze in a little family time. Tomorrow afternoon, after everyone transforms into their favorite cartoon characters and superheroes, surprise your young ones with these fun family games.

As an added bonus, they all offer a bit of educational value -- but we won’t tell unless you do.

Why Principals Love the School Supporter App

When principals set out to choose school fundraisers, they have two important priorities in mind. First, they want to respect parents’ time and efforts by choosing fundraisers that really work. Second, they want to give their students the support they deserve through fundraisers that are actually profitable.

Most principals (and parents) have tried fundraisers that have zapped time and energy for little return, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Here at Altruistic Apps, we think we’ve found the answer.
Our School Supporter app is personalized to your school and its community, giving parents discounts at the places they already love to shop! Meanwhile, an impressive 50% of the money businesses pay to join the app goes straight back to the classroom.

But enough from us...we’d like you to hear it from someone who knows firsthand. Principal Schuth of Prairie View Elementary uses the School Supporter app at his own school and believes it can truly revolutionize school fundraising. Watch the video below to hear him explain why he loves it.

Principal Perspective from Altruistic Apps LLC on Vimeo.

Six Ways to Fundraise Smarter This School Year

By now, your kids have settled into the routine of a new school year, and so have their teachers. Homework, quizzes and tests are keeping them busy. However, if you’re like many parents, you’re probably beginning to notice that some aspects of your child’s school aren’t living up to their full potential. Maybe it’s a lack of technology in the classroom, the elimination of music or art classes, or too few specialized teachers.

The problem? It’s usually money -- there’s just not enough to go around. That’s why you’re willing to sell cookies and cut box tops to help your kids’ classrooms out. But maybe it’s time to add a few new fundraising tools to your belt.

Here are six “outside the box” fundraising ideas that will help you take your efforts to the next level:

Introducing Midas...A New School Supporter

Building mutually beneficial relationships between schools and businesses, both local and national, is what Altruistic Apps' new School Supporter app is all about. With our apps, businesses are able to reach parents in a very targeted, yet very respectful way. In the process, they give back to schools in their communities and position themselves as being socially responsible. A remarkable 50% of the money that businesses pay to be on featured on the app go directly back to the schools the business is supporting. Meanwhile, shoppers who use our apps save money. It’s a triple win for smartphone users, schools and businesses.

Today, we’d like to introduce you to one of our newest School Supporters, Midas Car Care Centers. In today’s video, Walter Bratcher, who leads a family-franchised group of 11 Midas stores in Chicagoland, tells us why he cares about supporting schools with Altruistic Apps.

 

Midas from Altruistic Apps LLC on Vimeo.

Five Tips for a Successful School Year

Can you believe that it’s already October? If your school is like most, your kids have been back in class for close to a month. However, there’s a good chance your family is still adjusting to the new school year. Getting used to new routines takes time, but the sooner your kids get into the flow of their new schedules, the more successful they’ll be at school.

Here are five ways to build healthy habits and improve your children’s chance of success this school year:

Change made simple

Welcome! This blog is brought to you by the folks at Altruistic Apps, a cutting edge marketing company devoted to creating apps that build stronger, more sustainable communities.

Altruistic Apps was created with the intention of connecting community and commerce. Our first product, the School Supporter App (launching Fall 2013), helps create funding for your child’s school while saving you money at local business that care.  Because we know you care about education and social impact as much as we do, we’ve created this blog as a place to discuss the things we can all do, both big and small, to make sure our children’s educational experiences are the best they can be.  Here, we will share school success stories, provide tips and ideas for enhancing your children’s educational experience, and help you explore unique ways to bridge the gap between fundraising and action.

We can’t wait to get started, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride. Let’s make education better -- together.

def: Altruistic - unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others.