Our newest cause marketing program is Phantom Gourmet Meal Deals. It teams up a popular Boston TV and radio show with two of our best cause marketing partners, iParty and Ocean State Job Lots.

Here are the highlights.

The program starts this week! At least at iParty stores. It will begin at OSJL stores in July. Both programs will run for two to four weeks. Proceeds support our Food Pantry, which last year fed 75,000 people.

This is our first coupon book. It was surprisingly economical, especially compared to a die-cut pinup with coupons. The coupon book will sell for a buck and includes lots of valuable coupons from area restaurants and businesses.

We broke an old rule. We produced register signs. If you’ve been through the Six Figure Cause Marketing program you know that signs, posters, pins–not to mention belt buckles, hats and temporary tattoos–are just props for cashiers to hide behind so they don’t have to ask the all important question: “Would you like to donate a dollar to help _________?” However, we printed register signs at the request of Phantom Gourmet, who was confident they would further promote the campaign. We felt the signs presented little risk of undermining the program as these two seasoned partners wouldn’t use them as a crutch.

Phantom Gourmet added some great value to the program. Phantom Gourmet is a hit TV and radio franchise here in Boston. They will promote the “Meal Deals” program and our partners on their various media properties. This keeps our partners happy and PG welcomes the added exposure they get in iParty and Ocean State Job Lot stores.

If you live in New England be on the lookout for “Meal Deals” at iParty and Ocean State Job Lot stores!

I visited my local Whole Foods last weekend and saw this cause marketing program at the register. I’ve seen these passive cause marketing programs before at Whole Foods, but this one was different. It benefited the West Suburban YMCA right down the street from the supermarket.

It was the first time I had seen a program at Newtonville Whole Foods benefit a nonprofit in my town.

Fortunately, I had a great contact at the Y, La Tanya Arnold, whom I met at a business event a while ago and turned out to be huge Halloween Town fan. She referred me to to Annmarie Cobb, Director of Annual Giving & Community Relations, who gave me the scoop.

This Whole Foods location is the only store raising money for the Newton Y. It isn’t part of a national effort by Whole Foods to raise money for Y’s, as I first suspected. Shoppers had a choice of $2 or $5 donations.

Annemarie said the Y hoped to raise between $1,000 and $1,500 during the month of May.

The Y is on the right track working with a supermarket. Grocers have the foot traffic needed to raise lots of money with point-of-sale programs. The only thing missing from this program are more locations to raise more money!

There’s another Whole Foods in my hometown just a couple of miles down the road, perhaps they could fundraise for the Y as well?

Like everyone I talk to, Annemarie said cause marketing will be a big focus of her work in the months ahead. But also like everyone else, she’s not quite not sure who her next partner will be. That’s when having Joe Waters live in your town just might be a good thing!

The Six Figure Cause Marketing webinar helps local nonprofits develop effective and lucrative cause marketing programs. The next session begins June 10. Only eight spots left!

Did you get that? It’s all about the ask at the register. The more people your cashiers ask, the more pinups you’ll sell, the more money you’ll raise. It seems simple, but motivating cashiers to ask everyone they meet can be challenging. We cover it at length in the Six Figure Cause Marketing program.

A great team and asking every customer to support the cause is how this iParty store in Quincy, Massachusetts raised more money than any other ($2,800 to be exact). This year’s campaign, which also included restaurants from Fuddruckers New England, raised $42,500, almost 20 percent more than last year!

Thanks to our roving reporter on our team, Joanna MacDonald, for swinging by iParty on her way home from work. It wasn’t a wasted trip, as she needed to replenish the the office’s supply of whoopie cushions and wax mustaches!

Back in December I told you about Ocean State Job Lot and their annual pinup programs to support the hospital. Despite a sputtering economy, Ocean State not only met its goal, it blew it away!

During the month of December, Ocean State Job Lot raised $212,000! That’s almost 40% more than 2008.

Moreover, these results put them on track to raise one million dollars for the hospital in just six years.

Ocean State’s tag line is The Home of Adventure Shopping. The joy and enthusiasm shoppers and employees find in their stores obviously extends to their giving!

Are you planning a cause marketing program for your nonprofit? Our work with Ocean State Job Lot helped us develop the best practices for our Six Figure Cause Marketing program. I hope you’ll check it out!