How to put together a silent auction...

[Blondy876]

My boss would like me to look into planning a silent auction (also called Chinese auctions, penny auctions or gift basket auctions) for our school but I have no idea how. Should I call our local business and ask for donations? Should I write a letter? How do I know who to talk to? Are there online companies that might donate and if so who and how do I contact them? How do I convince the businesses to donate to us? I feel like I'm begging (and I guess technically I am) so I don't even know how to start. Does anyone have any experience with putting one of these auctions together? Advice? Thanks so much!!

 

[aunt kelly]

I have chaired our school's fundraiser, which has both a live and silent auction. We have found that in general, it is the local stores and restaurants which support the auction, not the chain stores and restaurants.

In my experience, no one will respond to a form letter, you must ask in person. A good idea is to contact the parents in your school and find out which businesses they have contact with. Local merchants will be much more inclined to donate if a good customer asks, than if they are approached by a stranger.

Have tax forms handy and be sure to acknowledge businesses that donate in your school newsletter and in the auction program. Also, be sure to send thank you notes.

 

[Disneemomee]

We have one each year at our school. First you need a help ! Try to form a committee
One person is responsible for writing to large corporations for donations such as gift cards or products
Two to three people are in charge of going to local business in your area and solicting donations
One person is in charge of creating a thank you journal to be given to each person in attendence with name and compaines that have donated.
it helps when writing to both local and large corporations that you under a non profit status with the irs. Most places will then donate.
One person is also in charge of writing to all local teams
for free tickets.
Another person is in charge of writing to other venues for free services from tickest to see regis and kelly to our local dentists for a free session of zoom teeth whitening!!
We even have the zoos aquarims and muesams donate free tickets!!
good luck

 

[clh2]

When my DD was in elementary school, the PTA did a "chinese raffle" for baskets.

Each class had a theme, there were some of the themes were more "girly" like bath products, scrapbooking, chocolate, cooking; others were more masculine (football, golf, bbq), others were more family oriented "summer-fun", family movie nights, family game night etc, pet-themes. In one instance a 5th grade class did an extensive unit on the Iditerod, so their basket was extremely related to that topic, including a movie about the race. The PTA always tried to match certain interests of the teacher to the theme of their basket. I.e. one year the teacher who loves teddy bears had a teddy-bear themed basket. One teacher LOVED chocolate, etc.

The PTA asked for donations from each class related to the theme. To not make anyone feel like they were being "hounded" all the time for money, it was suggested that the donations (either cash or an item) be valued at $5.00 or less. Some kids/families contributed, others did not.

The raffle night was a specific night where there was a dinner, art show and talent show. But honestly, the basket raffle was the hit. They did it chinese raffle style, where you could put your ticket in for the specific basket you wanted to win.

They typcially raised about $2000/year.


Then, donations