Silent Auction Coordinator needs help!!!

[CosmicRay]

I am on the board for a new and small organization that helps children living in Honduras. Our dear friends are living there and are about to start building a school for the children. They are coming home (TX) to ask for support and funding.

I told them I would be happy to coordinate a benefit dinner, they would like to have a silent auction. I am happy to help, but I have no idea how to get started.

I thought it was brilliant for me to go on Etsy to ask for donations, but they don't allow that. I have already sent out several emails to local businesses and I have gotten a few responses already. But I have just made a small dent.

Anyone have knowledge and wisdom in this area? And does anyone know people who would like to donate items? It's tax deductible;)

Any help is appreciated!

[NewDVCowner]

Just send out a flood letters asking for donations; restaurants, museums, theme parks, bowling alleys, stores, movie theaters, live theaters, etc. I find you usually get a better response if you include a write up about what the organization does so they know exactly what it's benefiting. Also be sure to include the non-profit's tax i.d. number in the letter as the donations are tax deductible for the business and some businesses will not donate unless they have that information.

Good luck!

[SallyMcQueen]

I actually coordinate a silent auction for a non-profit organization. I agree with the previous poster regarding mass mailings requesting donations. Including the tax id and a informational letter regarding your organization will help.

As far as what will get you the most money it all depends on your attendees/bidders for your auction. If most of your attendees/bidders will be local (live/work near your city) I'd try to get gift certificates or tickets to local attractions, restaurants or stores. I noticed from our auction last year that sports items were big sellers. Depending on where you live, contact the local pro sports teams for tickets or memorobilia. Also contact local universities for items as well.

I noticed last year that the items that didn't really go for much were jewelry and arts and crafts items. Finally don't be afraid to lower your minimum bids if things are not getting much attention. If you've got about 30 minutes left in your auction go ahead and drop your min. bid in half. Its better to get something for the item than nothing.

Feel free to DM me if you'd like. And good luck!!

[c&d]

When we did ours it was for a school and we asked parents to donate different items. We were lucky enough to have some people donate vacation homes. We also found that local landscapers, etc would donate a fall or spring yard clean up. The more people you ask the better you will be. We used to send out about 500 letters asking for donations.

[bleukarma]

I did one in October. You have to send out a lot of requests. I got some prizes from a museum, a local dinner show, and a casino cruise. I found what helped is I went to one of those stands that has the local attractions pamphlets (like in front of Bob Evans) and grabbed one of everything and started emailing them all.
At least in my area you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get sports attraction tickets. It might be easier to ask anyone that has season tickets to donate some.
Good luck!