Doing a silent auction at my school for the past 2 years, I have found that you need to start requesting items at least 3 months in advance. Start with a list of businesses that you might like to ask for donations from and then deligate. Have a form letter typed up that people can use to request donations. We have our auction the second week of December and we have raised $3000 for the school.
Some companies are putting time restrictions on when to ask for a donation. For example, Lands End now requires 90 day notice and Build-a-Bear requires 8 weeks.
-Diane
I have found that when looking for donations, that if I contact them too far in advance, I am told to contact them about a month before we need it. Food- about 2 months and I am referencing local businesses. (I have never done the lists as our local businesses are so supportive)
I have even gotten donations two weeks before but after that it becomes a lot harder.
I've also gotten donations when they were available and stored them but make sure you keep them in sight, in a place you check frequently, so they dont' become forgotten.
Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information everyone here has shared.
I am interested to know though, in a perfect world, how far in advance is needed to get the most donations from companies for a tricky tray/silent auction?
Do you find that companies are more likely to donate before the end of the year? At the beginning? I ask because, our next 'auction' is probably a year away and I am thinking about volunteering to chair it.
It will most likely be in January and I don't know also how far in advance you can 'ask' since I know sometimes companies donate with 'expiration dates abt 1 year'.
Has anyone secured approval of donations in advance and then collect it closer to the date?
I will look for volunteers for local requests and have the benefit of being located near a lot of stores etc. for a 'personal touch'
Any 'timeframe' information you would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated!
