We had our auction a few weeks back. While I've chaired small auctions when the kids were in pre-school, this was the first time I chaired the event at their elementary school. It was pretty amazing. We raised $135,000, a 50% increase from the previous year - which itself had set records at $90,000. I wanted to post to share what I think made a difference:
1) Communication/P.R. - we had 100 more tickets purchased this year (345 from 250) and a lot had to do with creating hype. I put out a weekly newsletter, sharing new items, how the proceeds are used, how it benefits the school, logistical info, an "advice" column, etc. We also held the auction at a local artist studio complex vs. a church hall or beer hall. We had local restaurants donate appetizers instead of purchasing a buffet meal. All of it was very well advertised so that everyone wanted to be part of something "cooler" than usual.
2) Limited Access - in the past people could "buy" a table for a sponsorship, but the space always availed many more tables regardless if you purchased one or not. this year, we had limited space and limited tables and boy, were they snatched up fast! We also made t-shirts and limited the quantities there as well... same thing - they went like hotcakes!
3) Sponsorships - every year we offer sponsorships from $100-$1200. $500+ gets a table (see #2). Again, we really stressed sponsorship of teachers & the event, noted how it was tax-deductible, and listed the sponsors every week in the newsletter. Last year, $6500 was raised through sponsorships. This year we raised almost $20,000 from ticket sales & sponsorships before the auction doors ever opened. We had 36 $100 level sponsors up from 6 the year before.
4) Parties - Sign-up parties are great! Most people are willing to buy a $20 or $25 for a faculty/student dodgeball party or a dance party with their child's favorite teacher even if they aren't going to bid on anything else. Our creative moment teacher hosted a dance party for 25 kids. Spaces filled up within the first 30 minutes, so she added a 2nd party with 25 more spots. Those 50 spots brought in over $1200!
5) VIP items - love these: Front row at the Kinder end of year program, pulling the fire alarm, teacher for the day (20 teacher of the day items raised over $2500), principal of the day (sold two totaling almost $1800)
6) Raise the paddle. No doubt this is big for us. We have a poignant slideshow and a humorous and pointed video and move into "raise the paddle" where donors commit anywhere from $100-$5,000. In the past it's been used provide SmartBoards and upgrades to the playground. This year focused on teacher grants and our own rainy day fund as the state continues to reduce funding and we raised over $60,000 on this alone.
We did have a pretty extensive list of items.... and I thank this message board for the ideas. I had many of the same that are listed: Disney, Pier 39, American Girl, Stamp it Up, but I got "Sorrys" & "Nos" from many on the list. I got a fair amount of donations from local businesses. I tried to think outside the box as one poster encouraged - for example, instead of the same old restaurants, I went for the "Food Truck Fantasy" and got small donations from well-regarded food-truck vendors and packaged it up. I tackled corporate requested 2-5 months out and local requests 4-8 weeks out. I would have tried locally earlier, but it fell in the midst of the holiday season.
Lest you think we are a school in a high rent district, while we have a middle and upper middle class contingent, 40% of our school is on free & reduced lunch. Our budget was less than $9,000 and tickets were only $25 for advance purchase. It's pretty mind-boggling... it can be done! Good luck to you all!
