We got our donation letters ready in December and mailed them when we got back from Winter Break. That allowed plenty of time to get donations together.
We have found that many places don't want to send the donation until you are within 6 weeks to the auction. We keep it small and raise about $3,500 each year. This year, an orthodontist donated a full set of braces valued at $4,200. We hope to get $2,000+ for that one item.
We hold ours in march and I ususally start over summer break. I've learned companies only have so much to to donate and you have to get to them as early as possible regardless of when your date is, to get donations
Our auction was in March.
I sent out solicitation letters to local and national vendors in late October. Follow up phone calls started in mid December with a big push in January and February.
Most large companies, sports teams, hollywood require at donation request form be sent 60- 90 days before event from my experience
<font size=""1""><font color="#"black"">Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. </font></font><br /><br><font color="#"gray"">~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus</font><br /><br><font color="#"blue""><font size=""1"">The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is...