Our company recently became involved in a school fundraiser as one of our rep's children was on a sports team that needed funds. Our rep approached local merchants to give $5 off any sale using a gift card bought from the school and 8 merchants agreed - a $40 gift card value. The school sold 2,000 cards in 2 days for $20.00 each (students stood outside the stores of the sponsoring merchants and sold the cards).
Cardholders were happy - $40.00 value only cost $20.00 and they were supporting their local high school. Merchants were happy - 2,000 new customers were coming their way plus they are supporting their community. The school is VERY happy as they netted $38,000 in 2 days (cost of the cards was $1.00 each).