How do you solicit donations for a Silent Auction?

[sadiebug]

My DD is in a Masonic organization and we are holding a chili dinner and silent auction as a fundraiser for them to go to their annual session with other girls from around the state. All of the parents have been asked to solicit donations for the silent auction. I, for one, do not have a clue as to go about doing this. Does anyone have any suggestions?

We have been given a letter to use that outlines our status as non-profit and highlighting the several charities that we support throughout the year through donations of our time and resources. I'm just not sure whether to approach donors in person, or through the mail, or ???

Help please?? Thanks in advance!

 

[cirquelovers]

I have only done it once but I felt better about going in person and talking to businesses. I think they appreciate being able to ask questions and see documentation of what you are doing. I had a great response from small businesses. I also took a trip to the beach, about 60 miles and asked beach front hotels if they would be willing to help. Those seemed to be very popular bidding items. Good luck!

 

[merekc]

I would suggest looking at any friends or family that own or are high up in a business. People you have relationships with may be more willing to help you out.

 

[BoogasMom]

I would find some places of business that you enjoy doing personal business with and ask for the manager. Tell them who you are, what organization you are with, and about the silent auction as a fundraiser. Ask them to donate a product, a service, or a gift card to their business. Most places are pretty good about donating stuff. We had a local grocery store (Ukrops, until they sold out to Martin's) that was very good at giving things to local charities to use. You could try a local hair salon or a local spa....we women love to get our hair and nails done and a massage if we can! If they say no just thank them for their time and go to the next place. Good luck!!!

 

[BoogasMom]

Another thought is.....do you know anyone who is a independent consultant for a business like Avon, Creative Memories, or 31? I used to sell Avon and I made up the cutest basket full of Avon's most popular products for a silent auction at my church with my business card in it. It went over really well! If you know someone who sells those types of products, approach them and ask them if they would be willing to donate a basket of products or even a gift certificate.

 

[kimkoz]

I used to work for a sports team and would get these request often.

Hopefully you have some time, People hate to donate on a rushed time frame.

I'd suggest going to local places and asking in person, you will leave the flyer and then follow up a week later.

Check out all sports teams in your area - minor, major.. they all donate. Normally just something small but its something.

Use your resourses. People you know, thier businesses. Salon, Photo Studios or photographers, Grocery Stores, In Home Sales Consulatants, Area Hotels, Restuarants.

The big key is not waiting till the last minute. Most local places can probably read it over and decide within a two week period but if you want to hit larger chain restuarants or sports stores (Dicks and Sports Authority) they take a month or two. Those you can stop in the store and ask but they will probably have to mail it in to home office for review.

Silent Auctions or Raffles are a great way to earn money, no donation is too small. They can always be added to other donations to make more.

** Oh came back to edit - Also once you do get a donation a nice thank you card is always great. Local places sometimes keep them on record in case you ask again. I know with my past job I always appreciated it and did remember some.

 

[mommy2twingles]

My DD is in a Masonic organization and we are holding a chili dinner and silent auction as a fundraiser for them to go to their annual session with other girls from around the state. All of the parents have been asked to solicit donations for the silent auction. I, for one, do not have a clue as to go about doing this. Does anyone have any suggestions?

We have been given a letter to use that outlines our status as non-profit and highlighting the several charities that we support throughout the year through donations of our time and resources. I'm just not sure whether to approach donors in person, or through the mail, or ???

Help please?? Thanks in advance!

Be prepared for businesses to ask for a 501C3. You may want to see if your organization has one and get a copy. We are a brand new school this year and our PTO does not have the form yet as they can take months to obtain. We are running into issues getting donations for our annual carnival because we don't have the form. Many businesses won't accept anything else but this form that they can use for the tax write off. We had it at the old school so did not have issues then.

 

[Eastern]

Target, Wegman's, and Applebee's have given our fundraisers gift certificates in the past. You could combine them with a few other small items to make a theme basket. Definitely ask in person.

Do you sell tickets that are then put inside a jar that corresponds to the auction item? We had a lot of success when someone made a 'money tree' type thing inside of a basket. That one received mad amounts of raffle tickets even though it was only worth about $50.

 

[Aliceacc]

I got a TON Of donations years ago via the internet.

I emailed every touristy place I could think of, and every brand we used. From toothbrushes to CDs to restaurant to amusement parks, the donations came in.

 

[Tosie]

I am in the process of helping out with one for our elementary school.

Local businesses and services
As pps have said, sports teams
Local museums, theaters (professional & movie), art galleries, etc.

Google "donation request" and your state and you may get tons of hits

For corporate donation, just google "donation request"

Google "ultimate donation list" and it will bring you to a fantastic thread loaded with resources.

Bidding for good has a lot of info too.

Some of my recent successes include Disney park hoppers (they are very generous - I've yet to hear of anyone turned down. Valued over $500), Keurig coffee brewer and coffee, Stampin Up basket of goodies ($300 value), and autographed items from the Laurie Berkner Band. We're waiting to hear from American Girl.

It's time consuming but many corporations have forms right on their websites. Most companies need between 2 weeks and 3 months notice.

I'm not sure if this fits in with your event but you can also ask each family to donate a basket of items - Movie Night, Car Wash, Outdoor Fun, Game Night, Picnic in the Park, holidays, scrapbooking, Bookworm, Coffee Break, Welcome Baby, Pets, etc. just to name a few.

Good luck - hope this helps!

 

[sadiebug]

Thank you everyone for your help!! I actually got my first donation today!!

 

[hambirg]

I was on my kid's school benefit aucction committee. .. . hit up every buniness that you happen to use. .. but also anything that you can think of . .. local tourist attractions, etc. Corporate places take longer to get back to you, but still try, there is no hurt in asking. One year I hit our local Dominoes the night before our auction. . .told them we had a DVD player and other movie night items that we would love to add some pizzas to. The franchise owners called me that night and donated 20 large pizzas. It never hurts to ask. We are in the PNW and every year would get something. . .like a PS or DS from Nintendo and also got a 3 night stay from Great Wolf Lodge when they first opened in this area. . ..just use your imagination and think big! Good luck!

OMG! I totally forgot to add. .get the leaders or whoever to donate experiences with them.. . as an example. .my kids Catholic school would donate principal for a day. .. kids shadowed the principal and got to pick the lunch menu for that day. If it sold for a high amount we would sell it twice. It doesn't really cost anything. Same goes for VIP parking. . .sheesh. . .people would pay $1200 for a VIP parking space for mass and school. .. that's easy peasy lemon squeezy money.

I have to laugh. When I first got out of teaching college, one of my colleagues landed a job as a kindergarten teacher at the most affluent school in our district. Well. .. she offered up lunch with her as her donation for the auction. She was thinking taking the kid to McDonald's for a Happy Meal on a Saturday. Needless to say, somebody paid $900 for their precious snowflake to have lunch with her. She called me up and said, "I can't just take them to McDonald's, can I?" and I told her no. . lol! She took them to a very nice restaurant here in town. . .still. . .thier kids meal was only about $10 dollars.