University of Maryland Alumni Association Opens Online ShopRaising Mall(SM)

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Maryland Alumni Association (UMDAA) representatives today announced a new way for its members to raise money for the association just by shopping. The UMDAA ShopRaising Mall has opened and is an online portal where consumers can shop for and purchase gift cards at face value. Five percent of every gift card purchase is then given back to the UMDAA.

At the ShopRaising Mall, consumers can choose from hundreds of gift cards from top brands including Chili's Grill & Bar ®, Lands' End, Lowe's® and Panera Bread®. All gift cards purchased are shipped for free to the recipients. UMDAA representatives say this is a very unique and convenient way for supporters to raise funds for the association.

"It truly is simple - you shop and you raise money," Robin Chiddo, the alumni association's director of affinity partnerships and corporate sponsorships," said.  "Our members are already spending at retailers, restaurants and other businesses. Through ShopRaising Mall, they can purchase cards to use for everyday activities such as gift giving, eating out, grocery shopping, home improvements and more. By using gift cards instead of cash or some other form of payment at these merchants, they can raise five percent for UMDAA. The money raised by our supporters through the ShopRaising Mall can really add up."

UMDAA partnered with Affinion Loyalty Group (ALG) on the development of the ShopRaising Mall. ALG is a leading loyalty program provider for many of the top financial institutions in the country.

"At ALG, we are proud to take the experience and partnerships we have developed in our more than 30 years in the business to create a product like the ShopRaising Mall," Scott Lazear, President of ALG, said. "We value the partnership with UMDAA. We hope all of their supporters will take the opportunity to start shopraising. It can have a huge impact on the association."

The UMDAA ShopRaising Mall can be found at umd.shopraisingmall.com.

University of Maryland Alumni Association

The University of Maryland, College Park, Alumni Association, Inc., is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to building pride among Maryland graduates and supporting the University of Maryland in its pursuit of excellence. Thanks in large part to the support of its dues-paying members—some 30,000 strong—the association connects alumni to each other and to the university through professional development and social networking events, a vast alumni club and chapter network, an international travel program and myriad print and online media. Members' dues support the alumni student scholarship program and the development of career services for alumni.

Affinion Loyalty Group

Affinion Loyalty Group (ALG) is a leading loyalty program provider whose products and services touch more than 125 million consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, the company drives incremental revenue by increasing customer loyalty for its clients who include top financial institutions, hotel and airline companies, and automotive manufacturers. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., ALG is the loyalty division of Affinion Group, the global leader in customer engagement.

SOURCE Affinion Loyalty Group