Tweet about this product: .@CloseBuyCatalog is a Local Goods Fundraising Catalog for Northeast Schools. Local Economies Win! www.closebuycatalog.com

Portland, Maine mom and graphic designer Masey Kaplan had enough of supporting her kids school fundraisers by buying cheap wrapping paper, unhealthy candy bars and frozen made-in-who-knows-where cookie dough.

Kaplan took action and created Close Buy Catalog, a school fundraising catalog of locally made goods has now grown to serve all of New England, New York and New Jersey.

Northeast vendors and artisans range from the nationally known – think Stonewall Kitchen blueberry jam and pancake mix, E H Chocolatier and Dancing Deer Baking Company cookies – to the lesser known artists Kaplan finds in every nook and cranny of New England – enter Eco Kids art supplies, Erin Flett tea towels and Zootility Tools.

Conceived during the economic downturn, Kaplan determined her business model was a great single solution to put everyone in the win column. Vendors make money and get exposure, and the local economy gets a boost. Schools raise equal if not more money using Close Buy Catalog, earning 30% of each sale for their school.

And what about the kids? They learn the importance of buying locally, supporting neighboring businesses and making healthy, environmentally responsible choices with their money. Kids also like that their neighbors look forward to that knock on the door instead of dreading it.