Resource Center

Promote your Phoneraiser with these FREE customizable templates.

To use these Adobe PDF templates:

• Click the name of the template you want to download.
• When asked “Do you want to open or save this file,” click Save.
• Select the location where you want to save the template, and click Save.
• Make changes to the template as necessary to reflect your organization.
• Print the document.

NOTE: If you experience problems downloading the templates make sure your Internet browser’s security settings are set to “medium.”

• Phoneraiser Guide
• School Letter
• Neighborhood letter
• Business Letter
• Flyer
• Press Release
• Tax Deduction Receipts
• Cell Phone/PDA’s Price List

Follow these steps to hold an easy and successful Phoneraiser cell phone/PDA and inkjet cartridge recycling fundraiser:

Step 1: Register

Once you register, you will have access to our Free Phoneraiser Guide. The Guide will provide detailed instructions, tips for Phoneraising, and much more. Your registration also allows us to mail prepaid shipping labels to you. The labels will be used to mail the cell phones/PDA’s and inkjets to us.

Step 2: Plan

Phoneraiser supplies everything you need to complete a highly successful Phoneraiser campaign. Allow six weeks for your Phoneraiser campaign:

• Weeks 1 and 2: Get the word out
• Weeks 3 and 4: Collect used cell phones/PDA’s and empty inkjet cartridges.
• Weeks 5 and 6: Finish collections, box and ship items collected.

Step 3: Collect

Start collecting used cell phones/PDA’s and empty inkjet cartridges.

Step 4: Send Us the Cell Phones/PDA’s and Inkjet Cartridges

Place the items in one or more boxes. Any sturdy, shippable box is fine. Follow these guidelines:

• Place inkjet cartidges inside plastic bags to prevent leakage. Be careful when packing the cartridges as they can be easily damaged.
• Use the pre-paid FedEx shipping labels we sent you when you registered.

Step 5: Deposit the Check

We will mail your check within 10 days of receiving your shipment. Refer to the cell phone/PDA’s price list to view the price paid for each qualifying item.

Step 6. Plan Your Next Phoneraiser

There are more than 500 million used cell phones/PDA’s in America and each year an additional 130 million phones/PDA’s become inoperable, unused or broken. You can conduct a Phoneraiser campaign as often as you like and still collect plenty of cell phones/PDA’s and inkjet cartridges. If not disposed of properly, each cell phone/PDA could pollute up to 35,000 gallons of drinking water.

The most successful drives incorporate some or all of these ideas into their Phoneraiser:

Set a Goal:

Set an aggressive but achievable goal in terms of the number of phones or dollars to be raised. Make sure team members know the goal.

Make a Plan:

Determine what groups of donors you wish to approach and determine the best way to address them – by letter, neighborhood door drops, email, through their children, in combination with some other event, etc.

Get Publicity:

Be creative when publicizing your Phoneraiser. The more people that know about it, the more cell phones/PDA’s you will receive. Be sure to download and customize the FREE tools, such as letters, flyers and press releases available on this website. In addition, use these methods to spread the word:

• Send e-mails
• Hang posters and flyers
• Send letters
• Put an ad in your local newspaper
• Get parents to set up a collection box at work and let coworkers know about the drive

Partner with Local Businesses:

Set up drop off boxes at local businesses. A restaurant or video store may agree to give coupons to everyone who donates a phone.

Train Your Team:

Make sure each team member knows how to collect the cell phones/PDA’s and distribute tax deductible donation receipts.

• Have team members practice this simple message before approaching friends, family and community members: “Do you have any unwanted, used, or broken cell phones/PDA’s that you want to donate? Each cell phone/PDA contains toxic materials and can pollute 35,000 gallons of water. Your donation will help us raise money and also protect the environment. Your donation may be tax deductible.”
• Explain to team member that successful drives often require team members to go to many houses in the neighborhood. Be sure that team members understand the importance of going door-to-door with a parent or other responsible adult. Do not encourage children to approach houses by themselves.
• Give your team any tax deductible donation receipts, and explain that they are to give one to each person who donates one or more cell phones/PDA’s.

Motivate Your Team:

Find creative ways to challenge and motivate your core team of volunteers.

• Make sure each team member understands how he or she benefits from the fund drive.
• Consider providing some form of recognition or prize to individuals or teams who collect the most cell phones/PDA’s or reach a certain number of cell phones/PDA’s.
• Schedule regular get-togethers for team members to bring in the cell phones/PDA’s they have collected. Turn these meetings into a social gathering and have fun.

Communicate the Benefits to Donors:

Make sure that donors know what they gain from their donation:

• Their donation is tax deductible. Used cell phones/PDA’s have no value to most people, but knowing that they get a tax deduction could be an additional incentive to donate.
• Their donation is helping a worthy cause. Explain what your organization will be able to accomplish with the funds generated by the cell phones/PDA’s.
• Their donation is improving the environment. Tell donors that the cell phones/PDA’s will either be refurbished for use or will be disassembled and environmentally disposed of.