Breathe California of The Bay Area

SaveLocally Announces Inaugural Partnership with Breathe California

Pleasanton and San Jose, California, June 3, 2009 -- SaveLocally Inc. is partnering with Breathe California for the soft launch of its new eCoupon fundraising program, which brings the traditional fundraising coupon book online.

Breathe California, which has worked in the Bay Area since 1908 to reduce the impact of lung disease, will sell SaveLocally coupon memberships as part of its fundraising efforts, beginning in SaveLocally's opening market, San Jose. The $25 memberships give consumers access to online coupons from a wide array of local businesses, from restaurants to Web hosting and design companies.

"We are proud to have Breathe California as our inaugural partner," said Barry Bestpitch, chief executive officer of SaveLocally. "The organization has a long history of successful programs, providing much-needed education and services to promote lung health.

"Breath California's outstanding reputation will also help to promote the SaveLocally eCoupon program," he added. "Numerous nonprofit organizations have suffered from the economic downturn, with donations falling and government subsidies cut. SaveLocally's new fundraising vehicle provides an answer to that."

"We are proud to be partnering with SaveLocally to fight lung disease in all its forms, while offering local residents everyday savings," said Margo Sidener, president and CEO of Breathe California of the Bay Area. "We are also thrilled that SaveLocally is minimizing its carbon footprint by bringing their savings online and avoiding the need to print and ship traditional coupon books."

The SaveLocally program offers substantial benefits to fundraising partners. Fundraisers retain a higher-than-normal percentage of revenue, and get online tools to track the results of their efforts. The program also has zero upfront costs. And SaveLocally offers exclusive distribution by nonprofits, meaning fundraising groups do not have to compete with major retailers.

At the same time, SaveLocally is committed to a green business model, which avoids the printing of thousands of books, many of which are never used.

Following its launch in San Jose, SaveLocally plans to expand its fundraising program to Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento, and then to Southern California. Plans include expanding the company's staff with each market and the opening of an office in Orange County.