With next year being a big election year, you can always hit up the politicians in town. They usually have $$ to spend this time of year and usually ask that you put their name somewhere on the item you buy.
Here is some great tips from a veteran auction chairperson. Send a procurement form to all your parents with a letter attached asking for donations not just from them but from one of thier associates. Give them ideas of items to donate. Hair cuts from thier local hairdresser. Coffee gift cards from thier favorite coffee house. Make-up treatment from a Mary Kay consultant or maybe a friends sells Pampered Chef. Each family has a circle of associates which can generate an overwhelming response. Another tip, I agree with the others about the basket. Themed baskets are wonderful and the generate a great deal of funds. Book basket, camping basket, a basket filled with beautiful frames. Holiday baskets do well also, Halloween, 4th of July the list goes on and on. Best of luck on your aution!
We also do a silent auction with theme baskets. Themes, such as; Barbie Blowout, Pamper Me, Men's Night, Toys for Boys, and Movie Night. We assign a theme per grade group and then use any cash donations to fill up baskets needing an extra boost.
We do a silent auction made up of theme baskets. We ask each grade to bring in somehting off of a list (small items) then we "basket them up" and they are our silent auction baskets. For example, 1st graders would bring in things for baking for our "baking basket." 2nd graders would bring in coffee and tea items for our "coffee basket." In this way, your school parents are only donating a small item, it's all donation, and your profits are almost all profit. You may need to buy a few things or cellophane, but basically, most of the money you make is profit. Hope this helps.
We do a silent auction made up of theme baskets. We ask each grade to bring in somehting off of a list (small items) then we "basket them up" and they are our silent auction baskets. For example, 1st graders would bring in things for baking for our "baking basket." 2nd graders would bring in coffee and tea items for our "coffee basket." In this way, your school parents are only donating a small item, it's all donation, and your profits are almost all profit. You may need to buy a few things or cellophane, but basically, most of the money you make is profit. Hope this helps.
We do a golf tournament every year in which we solicit donations from the community. This year we are also doing a dinner/auction the end of January. Since we already solicit for donations, I don't want to "hit" up the businesses for this event. Does anyone have any other creative suggestions for auction items? I am all ears. Thanks.
