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Using TeacherLists supply lists along with teacher rewards programs for back-to-schools supplies at favorite retailers will earn cash and discounts for schools and teachers—and who couldn’t use more of that right now?

When teachers or school staff create their supply lists on TeacherLists, there’s a section right on the list where they can share information about retailer rewards programs and instructions for families to buy items and make sure the school or teacher gets credit for the purchase. TeacherLists also has instructions for integrating lists with EdTech platforms, such as Smore, RevTrak, and MySchoolBucks.

A simple way for teachers to share supply list links is to add them to their class and school websites where parents can easily find them. When parents use the link to shop their child’s exact list, schools and teachers benefit.

Here are some nuts and bolts ways for teachers and parents to earn rewards at several top national retailers.

Staples Rewards and Staples Classroom Rewards

Teachers who join the Easy Rewards program earn up to 5% back in rewards in store and 2% back in rewards when they shop online for eligible items. Other benefits of the program include free delivery and no minimum purchase for a limited time only, and $2 back for each recycled ink cartridge. Teachers can encourage parents to earn Staples Rewards by adding a comment and instructions, including a rewards number, directly on their supply lists on TeacherLists.

Staples has a Classroom Rewards program that gives recipient teachers extra savings when parents shop for school supplies online and in U.S. stores. To be eligible, teachers have to be a Rewards member, download the Staples app, and enroll as a recipient teacher in the Classroom Rewards program.

For most of the year, teachers earn 5% back in rewards, up to $250 per quarter, when parents submit receipts for qualifying purchases. During the summer months, Staples lets enrolled teachers earn 20% back in rewards on eligible items, up to $250 per quarter, which is ideal when parents buy their child’s exact school supply list on TeacherLists.com.

Here’s what to tell parents about selecting a teacher recipient:

1. Visit staples.com/classroomrewards.
2. Select “Add a Receipt” in the parent section.
3. Select the teacher they’d like to support.
4. Scan or type in the Staples receipt or order number and purchase amount. The order number can be found on the packing slip, delivery confirmation, or Staples.com.
5. Hit “submit.”

Parents who are Rewards members still get to collect rewards for themselves when they enter a receipt for a teacher. Parents can also reward multiple teachers; however, they can’t split reward earnings from a single receipt—if they have multiple receipts, each receipt they submit can only go toward one teacher.

Office Depot Office Max Rewards

Teachers can use the Office Depot Office Max rewards program to get discounts on items they need for their classroom. The program offers 2% back in rewards on qualifying items, $2 back on recycled ink and toner cartridges, special member pricing and bonus rewards, instant redemption of rewards at checkout, dedicated support, and even rewards for product reviews.

How to earn with an Office Depot Office Max rewards program:

1. Click the “Join Now” button to create an account.
2. Add a phone number and then check off “Teacher” when asked to select membership type (to receive custom offers).
3. The rewards dashboard shows all available rewards, which can be redeemed instantly at checkout.
4. From the supply list, choose the Office Depot button to purchase items.
5. If not still signed in, follow the prompt to sign into the Office Depot account on the top right task bar.
6. Choose items or click to add the exact list to the cart.
7. If buying in stores, access Rewards account at checkout with a phone number.

For parents, Office Depot Office Max also offers a Give Back to Schools program. When parents purchase qualifying school supplies and provide the school’s ID at checkout both in stores and online, the designated school receives 5% back in credits for free supplies, up to $3,000 per year. Participating teachers should be sure to provide their school’s ID directly on their supply list.

How parents can use the Give Back to Schools program:

1. Open the classroom supply list on TeacherLists.com.
2. Locate the school ID at the top of the supply list in “retail notes” section.
3. Choose the Office Depot button to purchase items.
4. Complete purchase, then enter the school’s ID on the “Thank You Confirmation” page.
5. If shopping in store, provide the school’s name or ID to the associate at checkout.

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Amazon offers a credit card that teachers can use to earn rewards everywhere they shop. It offers 5% back on items from Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. Link the card to your Amazon account and use it to pay for classroom supplies.

Target Circle Loyalty Program

Target Circle Rewards has a loyalty program! Here’s what’s included:

• Circle Members get deals automatically (no more applying manually deals at the register) and just-for-you bonuses with customized rewards based on past purchases  
• Save an extra 5% with Circle Card 
• Introducing Circle 360: An annual subscription featuring unlimited Same Day Delivery 
• Free Same Day Delivery with orders over $35

Kroger

The Kroger Family of Companies is committed to community engagement, positive social impact and charitable giving at the national and local levels. Every community is unique, but the common goal is to partner with the neighborhoods Kroger serves and help the people there live healthier lives.

One of the ways in which they do this is through the Kroger Community Rewards program. This program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations (or schools!) based on the shopping you do every day (including when you shop your back-to-school supply list through TeacherLists on Kroger). Once you link your Card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a digital account.
A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose.

2. Link your Card to an organization.
Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

• Sign in to your digital account.
• Search for your organization.
• Enter the name or NPO number of the organization you wish to support.
• Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”.

Your selected organization will also display in the Kroger Community Rewards section of your account. If you need to review or revisit your organization, you can always do so under your Account details.

3. Your organization earns.
Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations.

Meijer mPerks

Meijer’s mPerks is a loyalty program with exclusive offers, coupons, a digital point system, and more ways to save! Since $1 = 10 points, points stack quickly and lead to savings on future purchases.

Plus, teachers save 15% on on a variety of home, office, and school supplies. Show your teacher ID at your Meijer customer service desk to get your coupon! Qualified items include:

• Paper towels, facial tissues, and baby wipes 
• Kids apparel and accessories 
• Lunch boxes and food storage 
• Frames, desks, bookshelves, and lamps 
• Closet systems and modular storage 
• Craft and art supplies, sewing, and yarn materials 
• Hand sanitizer, mops, all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant sanitizer, and moist napkin wipes 
• Sports water bottles 
• Electronics and calculators 

H-E-B Store Credit Card

H-E-B’s store credit card has a variety of benefits for Texas-based teachers to help put cash back in their wallets! Perks include:

• Unlimited 5% cash back on products from H-E-B, Central Market Joe V’s Smart Shop, and Mi Tienda 
• Unlimited 5% cash back on Favor delivery orders 
• 1.5% cash back at other stores where Visa is accepted 
• Rewards can be redeemed for statement check, check, or direct deposit into you bank account. $20 minimum is required for a physical check. 

For More Information

Check out these other articles for more ways to earn extra cash:

Passive Fundraising Ideas (PTOtoday.com)

Teacher Discounts and Grants

How To: Add Your TeacherLists List to Your School Website