From creating the auction committee and soliciting silent auction items to determining bidding rules, these are just some stages our step-by-step guide will walk you through. This type of auction might encourage more people to bid, too, if theyre too shy to do a live auction, or, if they dont want to disclose publicly what theyre willing to spend on an item (you dont have to announce the winners or their winning bid, after all). It boosts engagement and gives donors a chance to support you in another way. What local businesses do you patronize (almost) every week. The highest bid wins and the proceeds go to the organization or cause. Who do you know that recently opened a business and may want to get their name out there? In fact, our four tips will help you enhance your organizations social media presence: Be sure to check out our article on how you can utilize different social media platforms to boost your fundraiser (with examples). Learn from fundraising experts and connect with other changemakers. If youve got some of your auction items ready already you can start building your event right now. Do we need to assign bidding numbers? Collect donations for a themed gift basket auction and assemble some truly incredible items. 13 Silent Auction Strategies: The Ultimate Guide for Nonprofits - OneCause Run a seamless auction experience thats fun for you and supporters. Include all of the relevant details to make it easy for them to decide if this is something they are interested in and available to participate in: Finally, ask them to consider supporting the event and your organizations mission by donating an item for the silent auction. One of the most appealing features of a silent auction is that bids are private and anonymous. Discover the 6 essentials to look out for when choosing the right peer-to-peer fundraising software for your organization. Browse items and identify "must haves". is vital to the success of your silent auction. He also has years of experience in helping nonprofit organizations grow their supporter base. If youre holding an in-person silent auction: Preparing bid sheets is a lot of work and they must be double and triple-checked to catch errors throughout the bidding period and after. Get more ideas for great auction items on our! Unfortunately, paper bid sheets are also much easier to cheat on than an online auction platform. A local printer who can make your signs, print your bid sheets and auction book. From one-on-one experiences with a teacher to a game from a local toy store, these auction items can bring in lots of bids and foster a sense of community. In order to place a bid, participants must handwrite their bidder number and bid amount in the first empty row. As a [business leader/community leader], you know how costly large initiatives like ours can be. Here is how to do an online silent auction with RallyUp: Login with your Facebook or Twitter account, or use your email address. To fully understand silent auctions, you need to know how they differ from their live auction cousins. Include a thank you video via email if you want an upgrade, Add a link to donate in your signature (but dont ask for a donation). Not knowing when the bidding will end, creates a frenzy of activity among bidders that makes them put their best bids in and stay at the top of the bid sheet. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". : Tell your audience explicitly what you want them to do. 30 Silent Auction Ideas: The Ultimate Guide | Classy Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. It was a huge hit! Offers auction donations as well as beverage discounts: perfect for your event! Here's 6 rules to keep in mind when pricing your items: Research the Known Price of Tangible Items. Consider influencer or celebrity experiences, club access, or lessons with a golf pro. Holds 5% Days to support local nonprofit or educational organizations. Donation request letters are essential for building your auction. Do we have a predefined checkout process? Go by and say hello and tell them about the great opportunities you have for them!. Ensure donors are displayed prominently in your auction catalog and on other promotional materials. How to Find Auction Donations for Your Next Fundraising Event In this post, youll learn what makes a good (and not-so-good) silent auction donation request. Bean. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Submit a donation request from JetBlue here. Your minimum bid is going to set the tone for all future bids on your item. A mobile bidding software like ours can make your life easier by saving you time: you can also check out our comparison of different online auction platforms to see which might work best for you. Set up your peer-to-peer fundraiser for free in just a few minutes , Chief Trainer & Coach at Productive Fundraising, Stay updated on our latest insights, events, and good news, Receive fundraising tips and product updates every week, sent straight to your inbox, Thank you for making Givebutter the #1 Free Fundraising Platform, Download your free silent auction donation request letter template ->, Explore TheShareWay: An online database of companies that donate items to charity events , silent auction donation request letter template, A concise description of your organizations work and silent auction event, Relevant contact information for your organization. Online Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations, Fundraising By Evgeny Redjebov | 14 min read. Using terminology like "to whom it may concern" is not suggested. Focus your evening on auctioning team merchandise, experiences with the team, and special team-related perks. Think outside the box by soliciting these items: Get more ideas for great auction items on our! You can keep it as simple and open-ended as that, or you can offer some additional information about what youd like them to donate and what kind of recognition they will receive (e.g., logo included as a sponsor in promotional materials, a thank-you shoutout on social media, etc.). Subject: Re: Request for . I am so [grateful for the role youve played in pushing our mission forward/grateful for the opportunity to get you involved]. 65 Best Silent Auction Items (and 13 Items to Avoid) Written by Hazeltine National on Feb 13, 2018 8:01:00 AM Here are proven silent auction winners that generate great financial results. Ask a local wine store to donate to the wine pull and also suggest a wine tasting class to bring customers into the shop. Use your mission, impact, and history as the hook that connects your reader to your nonprofit and makes them feel compelled to give. A master of ceremonies beckoning them to grab a drink and join the fun, A raffle table with a bonus goodie or two that anyone can win, Great food set up on tables or being passed by waiters among guests, Beautiful flower arrangements from a local florist that they can win, A projection screen showing sweet and funny images of your beneficiaries, Beautiful silent auction tables laden with tempting bid items. Whether your event is in-person or online-only, follow these best practices: Closing your silent auction bids, either online or in-person, may seem straightforward, but there are a few things to consider that can maximize your fundraising efforts right at the end of your event. You want to approach these groups to ask them to do two things: Factor in any other fundraising experiences that are happening at the same time. Likes to focus on food access, nutrition, and childrens health. You can start building your auction even before you have all your items collected. Whether you want items for a silent auction, an in-house raffle, or you just want to find a website where you can organize and set up an online auction for free, we've got you covered. Additionally, he authored The Big Book of Benefit Auctions. If you dont receive a response, that doesnt mean the answer is no. Raffle Rules for Keeping Your Prize Drawing Legal. We cant thank you enough for supporting us as a frequent donor and volunteer.. However, if youre social distancing, you might look at outdoor venues or online options. You dont have to knock on doors, make phone calls or head into your search for fundraising auction sources blind. Check early in the month for your best chance. Give a specific example of an auction item the business could provide. May 11, 2023. Take some of the work off of the donor and give them specific examples when possible. The Step-By-Step Guide to stop leaving thousands on the table. With virtually no experience, a single individual from a non-profit or company can successfully create, host, run, and manage a largescale silent auction without any trouble. You can fill in the details later. By the end of the post, you will have everything you need to plan, launch, and run a successful silent auction of your own. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Including a silent auction can take your special event to the next level, but it requires your nonprofit to solicit awesome items for guests to bid on. The types of businesses that typically donate to silent auctions are those looking to expand their customer base and show off their products. Youve formed a committee and planned meticulously. How to Get Started: Give each solicitor a kit that includes contracts, information about your organization, solicitation letters, list of past donors, and sponsorship opportunities. The best places to get online and silent auction items for charity auctions is through personal connections. The important thing is that you have a defined closing time that you can promote. You should also provide the donating business with: Once they donate, furnish the item donor with an acknowledgement letter so the business can claim a tax deduction. Check out our list of 6 companies that donate to silent auctions! If so, get them a ticket. But sometimes personal connections are not enough, and you need to build new connections to generous businesses through donation request letters. What does it look like when that solution comes to life? Expand your reach by having unlimited auction attendance, Save money on hiring a location and an auctioneer, Run the entire auction online using a flexible fundraising platform, Promote your silent auction online in the event lead-up, Auction dozens of items and raise money quickly, Automate award and collections when the auction is closed, Your organization will set up a silent auction page and list the items on offer, You will promote and share your page everywhere to encourage participants to bid, During the auction participants will bid on the items they like, If they are outbid by another participant, they are notified by text, Participants are given the chance to increase their bid or bid via proxy, At the end of the auction, the highest bid wins the item, Money is automatically collected from the winning bidder, Items on offer are displayed or staged somewhere prominent for participants to see, Minimum bid amounts and increments are set, along with a closing time, Every participant is given a bidding number which they use during bidding, People are able to browse the available items and write their bids on a bid sheet, The paper bids are left on the table and are completely anonymous, Participants are given a chance to review and increase their bids, The winning bid is announced shortly after the auction closes. Take a look at Marriotts nonprofit engagement guidelines to see if you qualify. Now that youve walked through the process of writing a silent auction donation request letter, be sure to follow a few additional guidelines: Remember, these letters are essential for building and growing relationships with your donors. Dont assume anyone cant donate ask everyone on your list. An efficient and fun way to raise money for organizations, the silent auction is a favorite of both fundraisers and donors. Where do you buy specialty food items (butcher, bakery, local restaurants, etc.)? The letter should include: A story and photo related to your mission to help prospective donors connect emotionally to your cause and inspire them to contribute. You will be most successful in reaching out to smaller, locally-owned businessesespecially those where you (or your board members, staff team, volunteers, etc.) Tony Martignetti tackles common myths about nonprofit planned giving. This is especially important for local businesses. With some exceptions, the links below will take you directly to that brands foundation or part of their site that include a request form and/or information on how nonprofits can work with them. At the end of the evening, hand out the items to your winners! This will bring them customers! This information will be important for creating online item descriptions or bid sheets. Your email address will not be published. Decide how many items you are going to list, what they will be, and where you will get them from. If you dont have an organizational or personal connection at the business, its polite and advantageous to fill out the form instead of email or snail mailing a letter. How the proceeds from the event will be used. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He lives in Canada, where he spends most of his time removing snow. Many people dont know how to solicit donations for auctions. We need auction items for on benefitting . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Many organizations have donated or sponsored items to auction, but these need to be tiered to get the most out of your bidders. While running a silent auction may have seemed daunting at first, executing a successful charity auction should be easy now. First, create a team whose only job is to solicit auction items. No bids will be accepted after the auction ends. Vacations, weekend trips, or even full-day trips are a hit at almost every silent auction. Check out this list of 40+ silent auction items to start brainstorming for your next event. You should really start with the WHO first! With every campaign, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to build this strategy into your ongoing fundraising activities. Keep in mind that gift baskets are generally crowd-pleasers because they can work for various budgets. Contact your local hotel for a donation request form. For online auctions, on the other hand, the silent auction software will confirm the winning bids and notify the winner and the competing bidders. Take time to make inquiry phone calls or perform Google searches. Can You Run a Silent Auction on Facebook? Silent auctions are one version of the archetype. Take a minute to understand how long it will take you to put a fully-fledged silent auction together for your cause. Determine starting bid amounts, bid increments, how bidders will place bids (bid sheet or mobile bidding), and set any auction rules. Establish the answers to these questions: Do we have a guest list? Understand your position and make decisions from there. One-of-a-kind events like tours of pro teams locker rooms before big games or backstage passes for hit shows always create a buzz. Form a Procurement Committee To meet your fundraising goals, you need to "wow" your guests with your silent auction items. We can't thank you enough for supporting us as a frequent donor and volunteer." 2. to choose from. Connect with our always free, always human support via chat and email. Consider the promotional period that must come before the event, then how long the event itself will last. Its essential that your request gets into the right hands. No one likes to cold call but you can show a group of volunteers that they can find 15 solid leads for auction donations by simply filling in this form: Contact me to get a copy of this solicitation form! as you want everyone to feel comfortable bidding. This motivates your solicitors to bring in better items and also gives them a public thank you for their hard work. April 8, 2022 13 min read Silent auctions are an enjoyable and engaging way to raise money. Scale is the one thing that you cant afford to forget about when dedicating resources to an auction. The reality is that most organizations will either have a strictly set budget or an extremely limited one. It does not store any personal data. Still, to run an effective silent charity auction, you need to know the ABCs of silent auctions. Before gathering items for your silent auction, make a list of some of the goods, services, and experiences you'd most like to offer. (MLB) Choose your team and see what they have to offer. Closing the bidding for each category of prizes, one by one, can make the auction feel more exciting as the number of items to bid on gets smaller and smaller. If youve ever seen a live auction, you know it can be loud and dramatic, as the auctioneer calls for higher and higher bids and attendees continue to yell out their dollar amount or raise their paddles on an item. Take a look at our article on the benefits of running a silent auction online. . Generate a special link to share in your marketing materials and newsletter. Your mother warned you, Never talk to strangers! But to get donated silent auction items, that is what you are asked to do. There are distinct benefits involved in running a silent auction that was not possible a few short years ago. Your Ultimate Guide to Running a Silent Auction, Compare and Contrast Online Auction Sites. Aside from not having a fast-talking auctioneer setting bid increments and encouraging the participants to compete, there are some distinct disparities. Dont leave anyone off because you can always edit the list later. If you are running an online silent auction, invest some time taking quality images of your items for sale. Working with volunteers will not only lighten the workload but it will also make the experience more enjoyable. Instructions on how to complete and return the enclosed donation form, When volunteers will pick items up during the week of the event. Here is the math for that: $50 x 13 = $650. Raise more for your mission with interactive fundraising pages. Unless you know your recipient targets nonprofits like yours (e.g., cancer research), focus on your events promotional benefit. The silent auction can happen in the background and winners can be announced at the end. In short, you should leverage your charity auction committees existing connections before cold-calling businesses for donated auction items. Holding a special event is a great way for an organization to generate fundraising proceeds, engage new and previous donors, and build awareness for their cause. Mention the reason behind the event and any reached fundraising goals. Depending on the event, they will often rent or even donate the space. Often supports their local community organizations. Youve got a million details to think through as you organize and promote your silent auction, so use this checklist to take the stress out of managing donation requests: Create your list of prospective businesses. Here is a starter list of fundraising auction sources. $500 [starting bid] + $650 [bid revenue] = $1,150. Retailers like the personal touch. Make the most of Givebutter with daily live workshops. For the businesses who didnt respond to your email campaigns or form submission, you may consider mailing them an auction item request letter as well. From raising awareness through social media posts and speaking to the local press, to designing flyers or networking, the publicity team is in charge of encouraging interest in your silent auction. A press release is a detailed account of your event that presents important information in an objective rather than a promotional manner. Can donate gift cards or offer sponsorships to local organizations. The rest is up to your participants! The goal is to find a happy medium that includes the value of the item but leaves enough room for fair bid competition. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Our team is planning [something new/a fantastic event], so get excited. Silent Auction Donation Request Letter Advice and Templates. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Give your auction a name, upload photos, videos, and other rich media and add an introduction to tell your participants all about your fundraising event. Auction running at a live event? Youll have a low success rate for bigger businesses, but generic emails will work well at smaller businesses where the owner monitors the generic email. There are also physical and audience limitations that you will need to consider. In the last year alone [statistic about the need that your organization addresses]. 1. Take a look at our Ultimate Silent Auction Study to better inform your planning. A grill store can donate a great grill, but also suggest, they offer a grilling class for 10 guys and have the local meat market donate steaks! even if they only skim the bulk of the letter. Once you have compiled a solid stock of donated items, build your auction with our free charity auction software. Start with yourself. It can also depend on the visual depiction of your items. Finding the right person to address your donation request letter to will require a little more research upfront, but the reward will follow. To help you start the process of writing a silent auction donation request letter, well cover: Though many different types of organizations send out donation request letters, there are core elements to writing a great letter. Find Items Silent Auction Part1 - The Fundraising Authority 25+ Places to Get Silent Auction Items for Your Next Charity Event How to Procure Auction Items: The Complete Nonprofit Guide Whos not, but could be interested in your cause? Weve put together tips and best practices for the perfect silent auction donation request letters to send to corporate sponsors and individual donors. You may need to check each park location individually for guidelines and request forms. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Show the Love! Give real life examples of your organizations needs. Plus, compare the cost, features, and support for the 8 highest-rated platforms. A simple post is all it takes. Send and schedule personalized emails, texts, and more. If you plan on closing the bidding at a designated time, we suggest having a countdown clock visible or sporadic countdown reminders from the auction chairs. In short, you should leverage your charity auction committee's existing connections before cold-calling . After clearly stating what youre asking for from your donors, its time to introduce the why. Include the impact that your reader can make and how it will benefit them by outlining: Including the why behind your request often distinguishes your request from others and builds a connection between your potential donor and your cause. A local jeweler can donate a wonderful piece of jewelry for the live auction (make sure it is something that will appeal to the majority of people) but he can also offer a father and son Geology class at his store in the spring (right before Mothers Day) which will bring customers into his store. Would you be willing to donate [specific item, service, or experience donation] to help our cause? Can assist local non-profit organizations. With an email (as with cold-calling), your goal is to get your foot in the door so you start a relationship with a decision-maker. For some, the number of requests theyve receivedwill determine whether you get a donation at that time. The letters are the first introduction to individuals and businesses that youre having an event, need silent auction items, and what recognition and visibility is included for auction donors. Is there good mobile and/or Wi-Fi connectivity available so that silent auction software and mobile bidding can be used? If youve ever seen a live auction, you know it can be loud and dramatic, as the auctioneer calls for higher and higher bids and attendees continue to yell out their dollar amount or raise their paddles on an item. Give prizes for the top 3 people who bring in the most items for the auction, make it fun! Read the instructions. Instead of starting from scratch, get access to our free silent auction donation request template! Recognize your auction donors and sponsors on your auction website. Together, we raised $X for [insert your mission or goal, e.g., to buy new playground equipment for our school]. Company policies are always changing, so dont count on a donation until you have it in hand. The 4 tools BIG organizations use every time to skyrocket auction profits! 25+ Places to Get Charity Auction Items Personal Connections. : Auction items like signed memorabilia or Broadway posters are always fun to display at an event and can really draw people into the bidding. Ask for Donations & Silent Auction Items. Can offer a limited amount of donated gift baskets, get your request in early! Nonetheless, no matter the format, organizing a silent auction is not only a fun way to raise funds but is also a great way to bring communities together. key positions: but of course, if you dont have the people for all of them, or if youre flying solo on all of this, take heart! Companies that Donate to Silent Auctions | Charity Safaris We can help! Below is a list of commonly asked questions that we are going to answer, one-by-one. Take this, description as an example: Treat yourselves to a spa day that will leave you feeling refreshed and polished.. Still, to run an effective silent charity auction, you need to know the ABCs of silent auctions. Reserved Parking Spot Whether it's driving the school carpool every day, parking farthest from the office, or being late to lunch, a reserved parking spot saves people the hassle of finding parking.Add this perk to the silent auction for a specific event, monthly or annually. Pre-fill any forms for potential donors. Businesses inundated with requests have a Whats in it for me? attitude. The good news is that you dont have to go through the tedious process of sourcing items and reaching out to businesses for donations all by yourself. Please dont hesitate to contact me at [phone number/email]. Discover fresh, adaptable ideas for a silent auction that fit any donor base and budget. We even have a handy guide on how to ask for donations, so you can craft your outreach message with confidence. Use our platform to manage an in-person event, or go fully online. In exchange for their donated items, you can offer free publicity during your marketing campaign and at the event itself. Do you intend to create a certain atmosphere? Do you need just a couple more items to round out your auction? Whether you are doing a school fundraiser or not, check with your nearest school and see what spaces they have available. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Click the question to get fast answers, right here. Weve got everything you need to know about how to ask for silent auction items, including a sample letter and customizable template. 1. Subject lines should be descriptive and specific. Well cover ways to make this process as simple as possible. Businesses are, well, busy. And that equals more money to power your mission. All Rights Reserved. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Silent Auction Bid Sheets: Template & Complete Guide - OneCause
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