Creative Contributions 

In an effort to be good stewards and to maximize our giving potential, our members have come up with a variety of creative ways people can contribute to St. Michael Lutheran School (SMLS) and Christ for Kids (CFK) Childcare Center. 

TRIP (Tuition Reduction Incentive Program)

Our TRIP program uses the services of Great Lakes SCRIP and Kalamazoo Scripcents, who purchase gift certificates in large quantities at a discount from major food and retail chains. Using an order form provided by St. Michael Lutheran School, you purchase these certificates, which may then be used like cash at participating stores. A “rebate” percentage of all purchases is returned to the school for participating families to apply toward their tuition costs (or toward a general scholarship fund). “Rebates” range from 2% to 25%, while St. Michael TRIP retains 1% to cover operating costs. Visit http://www.glscrip.com or http://www.scripcents.com to view current lists of the participating stores and the percentage rates. TRIP orders are due every other Monday by 9:15 AM, with filled orders available for pick up the following Friday afternoon. Monies earned are credited to your account each Oct. 15^th and April 15^th Fill out an order form (available at the school or in the church office) and follow the directions for getting your TRIP certificates.  For more information contact the school office.

THRIVENT Financial for Lutherans - GivingPlus^®

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members (benefit and associate) age 16 and older are eligible to participate in the GivingPlus^® program. Thrivent Financial has earmarked $24 million for the GivingPlus^® program. Using those funds, we will contribute $1 for every $2 donated by members to an enrolled Lutheran organization.

• Members can donate to any eligible and enrolled organization they choose.
• Members can donate to as many eligible and enrolled organizations as they choose, but Thrivent Financial will only provide supplemental dollars to two organizations per year.
• Thrivent Financial will supplement $1 for every $2 donated by members up to a $300 maximum supplement to each organization.
• Donations can be for any amount up to $600 (or more).
• Members can make multiple donations (i.e. monthly, quarterly, etc.) to the same organization in a given year and have the supplemental dollars provided when the paperwork is received and processed, however the donations will only be supplemented up to the $300 maximum supplement.

When a member contributes 25 or more hours of volunteer service to an organization that they have supported with an eligible GivingPlus^® gift, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $25.  Applications are available in the narthex or at www.thrivent.com.

CORPORATE MATCHING FUNDS

Your employer (e.g., Pfizer) may very well match your contributions to St. Michael Lutheran School.  Talk with your personnel department to find out. 

MEIJER COMMUNITY REWARDS

This is a simple way to raise money for St. Michael’s School or to raise money for tuition for your family member or for another St Michael’s student. This is FREE money for our school.  All you need to do is fill out the application (available online www.meijer.com/rewards or at any Meijer location) and swipe your card when you make purchases.  You will need the six-digit number for SMLS (759893).  You can also have family and friends contribute to your children’s tuition by having them select “option two” (on the application) and fill in your 12 digit Meijer Community rewards card number. This links their earnings to your account. Earnings may be applied to a family’s tuition or the scholarship fund. Contact the school office for additional information.

EMPTIES 4 CASH

This one is really easy.  Just place your empty computer cartridges in the box outside the CFK entrance or school office and we can cash them in for $2 per cartridge!

BOX TOP$ for EDUCATION

Clipping those box tops adds up quickly.  Just look for the Box Top$ for Education on your purchases and deposit them in the box located outside the CFK or school entrance.

CAMPBELL'S LABELS

St. Michael Lutheran School/CFK receives free educational materials for your labels.  Just clip and deposit in the box outside the CFK or school entrance.

D & W Community Days

Periodically, D & W will designate a 2 or 3 day period in which a percentage of all purchases made using the SMLS code are returned to the school.  Watch for signs and fliers which will give the dates and necessary code.

LAND’S END

If you order from the Land’s End School Catalog and provide the school number (9000-7985-6) St Michael's receives 3% of the sale toward a designated project.  Ours goes to the scholarship fund. (The logo number is 0266745k).

TARGET VISA

Register your Target Visa at Target.Com and SMLS will receive 1% of any purchases made at Target or Target.Com and ½% on any Target Visa purchases made elsewhere.  The code for St. Michael Lutheran School is 120317.