How does it work?
EDuGIFT provides a nationally recognised platform where schools can ask their community – including parents, businesses and charities – to buy specific gifts that they might not normally afford from allocated budgets.
The school is responsible for identifying the items it needs, posting those requests on the platform and actively sharing them with its community.
Supporters can then choose an item from the platform, buy it for the school, and arrange delivery in person or by courier where needed.
EDuGIFT provides the platform and guidance, but does not secure gifts on the school’s behalf.
Getting started
First, register for an EDuGIFT account. We’ll need details of the main account holder, who is often the headteacher, deputy headteacher or another member of staff with responsibility within the school.
We’ll also need details of the EDuGIFT coordinator: the person responsible for adding posts, managing gifts and responding to questions from supporters. These details will appear on the website.
One person can have both roles.
Once your account is set up, we’ll send you the following materials:
- A user guide
- Your login details
- A document you can circulate to staff so they can tell you what they need (you’ll then need to post this information on the website)
- Promotional materials to help you tell your community about the initiative
- Our style guide, which explains how to use the EDuGIFT brand
- A top tips guide to help you make the most of the platform
Once you’ve logged in, you can change your password and begin posting immediately.
As soon as you add your first post, it will appear on the platform for people to see.
Managing your posts
Manage your posts proactively by removing items you no longer need, updating posts that are not attracting engagement, checking prices are accurate and ensuring links to external websites still work.
Where possible, post regularly as subscribers will receive automatic email alerts about new items on the platform.
Ensuring success
Success depends on the items you request and the way you engage your community, so regular promotion and clear communication are essential.
The top tips document provided during signup includes practical advice to help you make the most of the platform, but we’d recommend an extra push at the start and end of each year and during national campaigns such as “thank a teacher day”.
Success stories
EDuGIFT is a relatively new venture, but schools in Wiltshire that have trialled the platform over the past year have seen strong results and can confirm its impact.
We hope it works well for your school too.
EDuGIFT
Supporting schools through community giving