One of South Africa’s most trusted and established community loyalty programmes, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Launched in 1997 as an entrepreneurial business with the aim of empowering consumers to make a difference to education, the programme has grown significantly and today raises more than R6 million a month for a wide range of schools, charities and conservation organisations.
1.2 million supporters have raised R500 million over 20 years, which is testimony to both the desire of South African consumers to put something back into their communities and the effectiveness of the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet fundraising programme. It is fundraising for causes that people really care about and empowering them to choose where the money goes, making MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet highly relevant in the lives of customers and the partners organisations. Customers, businesses and communities are connected in a practical way with everyone playing their part to make a difference in our country.”
1.2 million supporters and R500 million raised over 20 years
My Beneficiary of Choice
Given my unwavering love for animals and the 20 years that I lived in Wellington in the Cape Winelands, I switched my charity of choice to the Wellington SPCA a few years ago. A non-profit welfare organisation which serves to prevent cruelty and promotes the welfare of all animals in the surrounding communities. They do amazing work and I know they need all the support they can get and like the idea of keeping things local and knowing that each time I swipe my card, I’m making a difference.
In celebration of MySchool’s 20 years of giving back, they will be donating R5000 on my behalf to the Wellington SPCA, and I am moved to emotion knowing what a difference this will make. Thank you so much for allowing me to contribute to the lives of these animals, though your ingenious program and caring. I am so grateful.
MySchool will be donating R5000 on my behalf to Wellington SPCA.
The History of MySchool
Over the decades, the fundraising programme has not just grown but evolved, in 2007 adding MyVillage and MyPlanet as additional options for people who wanted to give back to other causes, especially for those who didn’t have children at school. Several dedicated funds have also been developed to make it easy for supporters to target their giving. In that same year, the Thuso Fund for Schools and Charities was created to specifically assist under-resourced schools and charities in communities.
In 2011, during the shocking surge of Rhino poaching, the MyPlanet Rhino Fund was established with the Endangered Wildlife Trust as its administrator. This enabled customers to avoid the subsequent bloom of rhino fundraising scams and gave them peace of mind that their efforts to help save Rhinos were supporting bona fide conservation organisations and projects. To date, R9.3 million has been raised thanks to MyPlanet Rhino Fund supporters. These funds are backing different projects across the country including investments in security, equipment, training, rhino orphan rehabilitation and anti-poaching tracker dogs.
As education is close to the hearts of many South Africans, the Dream2Teach Scholarship Fund was launched by the programme in September this year. Dream2Teach enables supporters to raise funds to provide bursaries to matriculants with a passion to become a teacher but no other means to fund their tertiary education. The fund’s aim is to empower South Africans to contribute directly to growing quality teachers without costing them a cent, and MySchool has committed to an initial lump-sum investment of R1 million to the fund the first two qualifying students.
It’s really easy to give back too
There is a beautiful simplicity in the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet model. People sign up for free as supporters and can nominate up to three schools, charities or conservation causes as their beneficiaries. Every time they swipe their card at a point of purchase in a Woolworths store, or at any other partner store, the participating retailer makes a contribution on their behalf, at no cost to them. Globally, it stands out as an innovative South African loyalty programme that empowers people to do good. For the past four years, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet has reliably notched up consecutive top awards as an internationally acclaimed loyalty programme.
There is a beautiful simplicity in the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet model.
“Years ago, Woolworths recognised the significant potential for the MySchool programme to become a ground-breaking, national customer loyalty programme that could make a difference,” comments Zyda Rylands, CEO of Woolworths SA, “Today, the growth is phenomenal, and is a testimony to the generous spirit of the Woolies customers who sign up and swipe to raise funds on behalf of the causes that are close to their hearts. More than a million customers embrace their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet loyalty reward as the gift of giving, and Woolworths highly appreciates the difference that we, as well as the partners, are able to make to schools and charities across the country because of their support.”
“Our 20th anniversary is a natural time to take stock” says Pieter Twine, General Manager of MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet. “We are so grateful for the 1.2 million South Africans on board and swiping their cards to make a difference and there is still much we can do and should do to support South Africa’s schools and community organisations. Our next goal is to double our impact by having at least 2 million supporters. With amazing partners such as Woolworths, Engen and Bidvest Waltons we have built long term relationships that stood the test of time. Online partner loot.co.za and travel partner Flight Centre are now also on board increasing the opportunities for their customers to make a difference.”
Win with #MySchool20
MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet is celebrating its 20th anniversary by giving back to its supporters and communities. Their #MySchool20 campaign encourages you to not only swipe for you favourite cause but to talk about it as to mark the occasion, 20 lucky people will each win R20 000 Woolworths SA gift card for themselves plus R20 000 for their MySchool cause. All you have to do is post about the school or charity you support and use #MySchool20 to stand a chance to win. Details, T&Cs: https://goo.gl/gpCrxa
The Essential Details
- About MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet
The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet loyalty programme is one of South Africa’s biggest community fundraising initiatives and multi-partner loyalty programme. We raise essential funds for schools, charities, community organisations, animal welfare- and environmental organisations through an easy system that doesn’t cost our supporters a cent. Simply sing up for a free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card, swipe when you shop at our retail partner stores, and they will give back a percentage of your purchases, on your behalf, to the beneficiary of your choice. The system allows cardholders to make a difference to a worthy cause that they care about without it costing them a cent. The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme raises more than R6 million per month, thanks to its supporters.
- How does MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet work?
1.2 Million South Africans carry MySchool cards. Supporters apply for a free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card and can select up to 3 schools and/or charities as their beneficiary/ies. When they purchase items from participating retailers they swipe the card with the purchase. A small percentage of their transaction is then allocated to their beneficiary school or charity. The partner stores pay the donation on behalf of the cardholder. All these transactions are recorded and a statement is sent to individual supporters on a monthly basis. The supporter card is not a credit or debit card but simply tracks transactions and funds raised.
- MyVillage and MyPlanet
While originally the MySchool programme was exclusive to schools and only schools could sign up as beneficiaries, the programme has been extended to include charitable organisations and other worthy causes. MyVillage organisations are charities that care for people; MyPlanet organisations care for animals and the planet.
- Getting a card
In order to become a supporter, simply get a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card for free and select the schools or charities you wish to support. You can register online at www.myschool.co.za, call 0860 100 445, download the app or get a card at your local Woolworths store. It’s quick and easy.
- How can you help make a difference
Go to www.myschool.co.za to sign up for your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card. Choose the MyPlanet Rhino Fund as your beneficiary and raise funds for rhinos every time you shop, at no cost to you. Swipe your card every time you shop at Woolworths, Engen Foodstops, Bidves, Waltons, Flight Centre and loot.co.za. For additional information contact Jackie Busch of liquidlingo Communications at 082 376 4446.