Search and Give
Marketing Pays Off
Normally I'm against overt corporate marketing schemes that involve public schools but the Search and Give campaign seemed less ethically objectionable (once registered it offers a similar marketing and branding experience to what we normally encounter online) and offered some real benefits to our school. Microsoft would like to boost market share of their online search engine which competes against, among others, Google. In order to acquaint users with their product (and get them in the habit of using it) they decided to offer a charitable donation each time (a registered) someone uses the service. Custer staff have tried it and seen real money raised for our school. So here's the sales pitch.
Microsoft and Scholastic have teamed up to present Search and Give, an innovative and automatic way for our school to raise funds. With Search and Give, you can help our school raise money just by searching the Web. Anyone who searches the Internet can quickly sign up online to become a supporter. Internet searches by our school's supporters on www.seachandgive.com will generate a Microsoft donation to our school.
Best of all, it's FREE. There is no cost to our school or our supporters and there are no hidden commitments. Participation is completely voluntary. Microsoft handles all program administration, including automatic ticket redemption.
One penny for every search - up to 10 searches per day.
One penny for every ticket earned playing games from the Live Search Club
Getting Started
In order to donate to a school/charity via Search and Give you must have a Windows Live ID account and a Live Search Club Handle. Follow these simple steps to get started:
Visit www.searchandgive.com and click on "Sign In"
1. If you do not have a Windows Live ID Account, click the Sign Up Now button, and follow the steps accordingly. Otherwise, enter your email address and password and click the Sign In button.
2. Create a "Handle" for your Live Search Club account - your "Handle" will be displayed whenever you are signed in to the Live Search Club and can't be changed once you leave this page.
3. Choose an "Avatar" - the "Avatar" will also be displayed when you are signed into the Live Search Club.
4. Read the Live Search Club Terms and Conditions and select "I Accept" if you agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Click the Submit button to complete your account set-up.
You are now set-up and ready to set your preferred charity settings!
A Windows Live ID is free and allows you to sign in on any site that displays Microsoft Passport Network or Windows Live ID. For more information and to create an account, go to:
http://get.live.com/getlive/overview
If your preferred charity becomes inactive, you will need to select a new charity the next time you log on. Any donations saved for that charity will be donated to the new charity selected.
Direct questions to
or 360-383-9523