Fundraising Auctions: Cold Calling

Personal contact is the best way to approach perspective donors. Most of us do not like to "cold call," and it would surprise your committee to discover how many contacts they have without knowing it. Remind yourself how many times you have been called to contribute, buy a raffle ticket or make a donation.

How To Hold A Successful Fundraising Auction

What's the most important aspect of your fundraising event?
If you're like most coordinators, the obvious answer to you would be revenue generation, right? While that's of course a good answer, I would say the most important things about your event are to make it exciting and to bring members into the fold. If you make these your goals, then the money raised will increase dramatically, at the same time generating good will and exposure for your organization.

Fundraising Silent Auction Bid Sheets

The silent auction fundraiser often accounts for 50-100% of your fundraising auction revenue and the single most import ingredient to maximum your income is the bid sheet. To be most productive the bid sheet should contain:

Hot Items for Your Charity Auction Fundraiser

Procurement is perhaps the most important part of planning your charity's fundraising auction. The success of your auction depends on the value and demand for items up for bid. Your team in charge of procurement should be looking for items, experiences, and activities that are not easily purchased. These will have greater value and will encourage people to attend the event.

IRS Rules and Your Charity Auction Fundraiser

Do you know the IRS rules and regulations that pertain to charity auction fundraisers? Do your donors?

The Fundraising Auction Office

Create your own personal space! Scout about your organization or institution, find an empty office or nook and cranny, and call it your own. Publicize its existence and encourage volunteers and interested parties to stop by and say "hello." Hold small meetings there, and if you have enough volunteers, staff it during office hours to receive calls and donations and to spearhead activities.

The Chinese Auction

If you are looking to put a new spin on an old event, why not try a Chinese Auction? No, it's not an auction targeted at a specific community, but rather an event which includes elements of a raffle and an auction, where participants buy chances to win auction prizes.

Fundraising Live Auction Bidding

Previously we dealt with the need to use a professional auctioneer for your live auction. Now a few hints on the bidding process.
All eyes and ears are on the auctioneer and the bidding has begun. Once the gavel is raised ....

How to Obtain Fundraising Auction Donations

An auction is only as good as the items you have to sell. Here are some quick tips to follow for getting donations.
Business Donations
A business that donates will be listed in the auction catalog, and its merchandise or gift certificate will be displayed at the event, where it will be viewed by hundreds of people.
First call the company and find ....

Finding Corporate Donors for Fundraising Auctions

Most large corporations and chain stores make auction donations from their central office. The larger the business, the larger the potential gift—and usually the more red tape to deal with. Sometimes you will hit pay dirt with your first phone call, but more often you'll have to combine a dozen or so calls, letters, and appointments to get the job done. It's worth the effort.

Using the Bell Curve in Fundraising Auctions

Auctions are a lively fundraiser option, either as a stand alone event or as part of a larger dinner event. There is a specific strategy used for placing items for bid in auctions that will help bring in the most money for your charity. Use the Bell Curve strategy to your advantage in your next live auction.
Once you've gathered your auction items, review them according to their value and begin to prepare your catalog. If you are working with a professional auctioneer, s/he will help you create the catalog, placing the items in an order that will bring about the greatest income for your charity. However, if you do not have the benefit of a professional, you are not entirely on your own. Using the Bell Curve Strategy will help you place your items in the best order to raise the most money.

Night of the Auction Chairman

Have you ever considered delegating the management of the night of your event to a specific person or a couple. This person or persons will be the major-domo for the night of the auction and will be responsible for organizing the event's orderly flow. They must have knowledge of all committees' needs and must create a logical format and timetable for the hours of actual operation.