Fundraising company helps families go green to support local charities

A new fundraising company, called Greenraising, launched this month with a goal of helping families "go green" while supporting local schools and charities. Among the first schools to sign up are Temple Beth Haverim's Early Childhood Center and Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills.

Greenraising has 27 nonprofits participating.

"For us, the inspiration for Greenraising came from our own children," said company cofounder Lisa Olson. "We saw them coming home selling cookie dough and magazines to raise money for their schools and thought that there must be a better way to raise funds."

Olson realized that there was a desire among parents to make "greener" choices, but that time was limited and information scarce.

"We found so many great products that help people to reduce, reuse, and recycle resources," Olson said. "They're earthfriendly, ingenious solutions to everyday needs. They raise money for nonprofits and teach the children that they can make a positive difference in the world."

Greenraising carries a full line of products, from reusable grocery bags to multi-use water bottles to all-natural cleaning supplies and lotions. There is fair trade chocolate that also raises funds for art education, jewelry from women's cooperatives in Guatemala, and lunch boxes made from recycled drink containers and many other items.

Anyone can go to the website at www.greenraising.com and make a purchase to support the charity of their choice, including Sumac and Temple Beth Haverim. Twenty-five percent of all sales through the website go directly to the participating schools and nonprofits.

Greenraising also publishes a catalog that includes a selection of items from the website. Nonprofits can choose to sell from the catalog in the traditional sales model, and keep 40 percent of the proceeds from the sale.

For more information, call Lisa Olson at (818) 442-4453 or visit www.greenraising.com.