Frequently Asked Questions

What Kemps products are included in NFS?

Plastic gallons of milk, plastic and paper half-gallons of milk, cottage cheese and sour cream. Only plastic gallons and half-gallons of milk have caps with stickers. Paper half gallons of milk, cottage cheese and sour cream containers have a banner that must be cut out of the package. The banner reads “Every Nickel Bit Helps.” Please be sure to cut out the banner as your NFS proof-of-purchase (POPS). We cannot accept the UPC code as a NFS proof-of-purchase.

Can we redeem the stickers that have been removed?

You must send the cap and sticker together. Credit will not be given for any stickers that have been removed.

Do I have to count the caps?

It is preferred that you count the caps so that your school has some idea of how much money to expect for caps submitted. However, counting is not required. If your school is willing to accept the fulfillment center’s count, you may simply pack and ship your caps with a completed redemption form, stating on the form that you have not counted the caps and will accept the fulfillment center’s count.

Where do I get redemption forms?

Redemption forms are available to download by clicking here.

Does my school have to enroll each year or just once for the duration of the program?

One time enrollment is all that’s required. Once your school receives a NFS I.D. number, that number will remain the same for the duration of Kemps NFS program. We suggest that you write your school’s I.D. number on a redemption form and make a few photocopies of that form to use throughout the year or share with the next NFS coordinator at your school.

When will my school receive a check?

Shipments postmarked by the second Friday in April each year should receive a check four to six weeks after the fulfillment center receives the package. Although the turnaround time during the school year is four to six weeks, checks are not sent over the summer. For shipments postmarked after the second Friday in April each year, schools will receive checks during September of the next school year.

Who is eligible for Nickels For Schools?

Enrollment is open to any accredited K-12 public, private or parochial school. Schools must have a 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt designation to be eligible. Home school organizations with 15 or more students (and tax-exempt designation) are also eligible. We cannot enroll any organization that does not meet these criteria.

How should we package or bundle the caps and proofs-of-purchase?(POPs)

Please send the caps, loose, in a sturdy shipping carton. We ask that you do not bundle or package the caps. For proofs-of-purchase, please put those in a Ziploc bag and lay the bag on top of the caps. Place your completed redemption form on top of the caps/POPS and seal the box with packaging tape.

How should we ship our caps/POPs?

Please send your caps by UPS or DHL ground service. UPS/DHL will provide you with a receipt that includes a tracking number. Please keep that receipt and tracking number until your school receives their check and confirms that the amount is correct.

Are there a required minimum number of caps per shipment?

Please send no fewer than 2,000 caps per shipment. If your school does not reach the required 2,000 caps/proofs-of-purchase, please send whatever amount you have saved once per year.

After enrolling, when will I recieve materials?

Four to six weeks after enrolling online the fulfillment center will send you a NFS I.D. number and welcome packet.

What’s Kemps doing to get the word out?

You might have noticed a TV, newspaper or radio ad about Nickels For Schools. Advertising is just one way that Kemps is telling people about this new fundraising program. Direct mail to superintendents, principals and other school personnel, presentations at school board meetings and displays at grocery stores are among other methods Kemps is using to tell people about Nickels For Schools.

How often can my school ship caps?

We ask that you ship caps no more than four times per year.

How long will Nickels For Schools be going on?

Kemps Nickels For Schools will run indefinitely until otherwise noted. If any future decision is made about changing or ending the program, notice of the same will be posted on kemps.com.

How does the redemption process work?

A school coordinator counts the caps and proof-of-purchase symbols to be redeemed, completes a copy of the redemption form that's included in the Nickels For Schools Enrollment Kit and available here, and sends the whole package to the Nickels For Schools redemption center. It's most efficient to use a ground service (like UPS) to ship the package. Within a few weeks, you will receive a check equal to the value of the milk caps and proof-of-purchase symbols that you sent.

If I have a question about Nickels For Schools, whom can I call?

The latest information about Nickels For Schools will be posted on this Web site. Or, you can call Kemps at 1-800-726-6455, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and speak with one of our consumer relations representatives.

Can we redeem caps during the summer?

To redeem qualifying milk caps and POP symbols for cash, complete a Kemps Nickels for Schools redemption form and enclose it with each shipment. If your school wants to receive their Nickels For Schools check before school closes for the summer, shipments must be postmarked by the second Friday in April each year. Checks are not mailed over the summer. Schools may ship caps and POPS year-round. For shipments postmarked later than the second Friday in April each year, check processing will resume in the first week of September. All submissions are subject to verification. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for the verification process.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount of money for redeemable caps and proof-of-purchases?

Kemps strongly encourages schools to redeem at least 2,000 caps/proof-of-purchase symbols at a time. This will assure that your school receives a check for at least $100. The maximum amount a school can earn per year is $10,000.

How can I get parents/students/community involved in Nickels For Schools?

There are lots of different ways! For example, an art class could design a unique receptacle to hold the collected milk caps and proof-of-purchase symbols. Or your PTA could hold a "milk and cookie" drive. Once your school is enrolled, we'll send you an Activity Kit that includes ideas you can use as a starting point.

What can my school do with the money we get from Nickels For Schools?

Anything you want! Buy books or supplies. Take your students on a field trip. Pay for sporting or drama equipment. Schools have the discretion to determine how the money is spent.

If we participate, what is my school responsible for?

You can determine how active your school becomes in Nickels For Schools. For best results (that is, to collect as many caps as possible to raise as much money as possible and have fun doing it), we recommend that your school distribute information to students, parents and your school community; provide a place to drop the caps and proof-of-purchase symbols; and assign a school coordinator who will count and send the caps to the redemption center. Once you enroll, we'll send you an Activity Kit providing you with the information and ideas you'll need to successfully participate in Nickels For Schools.

Is my school eligible for the Nickels For Schools (NFS) program?

Enrollment is open to any accredited K-12 public, private or parochial school. Schools must have a 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt designation to be eligible.

How can I get my school enrolled in Nickels For Schools?

It's easy! Just fill out the enrollment form included in the coordinator's kit, and mail or fax it to Kemps (the address and fax number appear on the enrollment form). Or, you can enroll online by visiting www.kemps.com and navigating to the Promotions page. There you will find program information including an online enrollment form.