New Elmbrook School District Initiative Links Schools, Businesses, Consumers for Mutual Success

BROOKFIELD, Wis. - April 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Brookfield, Wis. – A new program in the Elmbrook School District will allow residents to direct additional money to their favorite schools simply by purchasing products and services from locally-owned and -operated businesses.

The C.A.R.I.N.G. Group Elmbrook (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-Home-3) brings together consumers and businesses to provide financial support for public and private schools within the Elmbrook district. Best of all, there are no dues, fees or upfront costs for either consumers or participating businesses.

As inferred by its acronym C.A.R.I.N.G. - Companies Actively Reinvesting In Neighborhood Growth – businesses (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-CARING-Businesses-Participating-Businesses-14) in the program will donate money directly to schools of a consumer’s choice after a qualifying transaction is completed.

Consumers must register online as C.A.R.I.N.G. Group Elmbrook members (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-FAQs-13), and choose which school(s) (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-CARIN...) will receive donations from their transactions. Both members and businesses can sign up at www.thecaringgroup.org. All transactions and school donations are tracked through the web site.

“The C.A.R.I.N.G. Group is a consumer-focused, market-based approach to supporting our schools and strengthening the local economy,” said Tom Gaumond, President of The C.A.R.I.N.G. Group Elmbrook. “The schools receive additional funding, local businesses gain customers, and residents get the products and services they want. It’s win-win all around.”

Participating businesses (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-CARING-Businesses-Rules-and-Regulations-21) will donate a percentage of each transaction to a school(s) of the consumer’s choice, or donate a fixed sum per transaction. Businesses must either be headquartered in the Elmbrook School District, or be owned by a school district resident. In the latter case, the business does not have to be based in the district.

No residency or geographic rules apply to members, who can live anywhere.

“The C.A.R.I.N.G. Group Elmbrook (https://thecaringgroup.org/index.php?Top-Navigation-Contact-Us-19) is an innovative way in which people can patronize Brookfield-based businesses and also benefit the Brookfield school of their choice,” Brookfield Mayor Steven Ponto said.

“In a time when schools face an increasingly uncertain financial picture, the C.A.R.I.N.G. Group Elmbrook will help our schools continue to provide greater opportunities for students,” said Mark Hansen, Superintendent of the Elmbrook School District. “I urge everyone to sign up – it’s free, after all – and start taking advantage of this program.”