Miranda,
If I may, I'd like to suggest an alternative to a silent auction -- and this is what I suggest to all those groups "just getting started."
Auctions are an enormous amount of work. A survey of my clients -- all sizes of events, from those grossing $8000 to $1.7 million -- showed that the AVERAGE amount of time spent by an Auction Chair was 1,000 hours. That's 6 months of full-time work.
Silent auctions make 50-60% returns. Live auctions make 70%+ (most items sell for much higher -- like over 100%).
So why try to spend your time -- without a proper tax status -- trying to get items that will earn 60% of value when you could host a live auction with fewer auctions, have a more exciting time, and make 100%?
If you work with an auctioneer, he/she will guide you in items to secure that don't need to be from this list. They can be "free" from your community.
For instance, an event I did this past Friday was 150 young adults (age 18-30) and all we sold were services -- "Jessica will deep clean your bathroom." "Tory will edit your master's paper." "John will coach you for the LSAT." "Up to 4 people can stay with Michelle's parents house in Costa Rica for up to a week." They made over $15,000 selling this stuff -- which quite frankly, most isn't all that desirable.
Below I've listed 2 auctioneer's names in your area ... perhaps they will work with you on a percentage basis, so if YOU make more, THEY make more. For your first time out, this would likely be a better option than a flat fee. More exciting ... more money ... and less work for you. When groups call me who are starting out, I try to accommodate them in this way.
Meanwhile, these auctioneers can guide you on what to ask for from among the parent community. (I don't know all the services these two folks offer, but I'm hoping that guiding you like that is one of their services.)
That way, you won't spend time applying to companies that won't donate to you anyway because of your status.
Then NEXT year -- with your 501(c)(3) in hand - you can go full force looking for donations from national companies.
Without the status, it's going to be harder. If you read through this list, you've seen the posts and already know this.
Some people resubmit and resubmit ... they tweak phrasing ... they change addresses. I'm not saying these aren't good ideas if one has the time, but I am a big believer on less work for more money. And it sounds like you're a 1-woman team at this point. Time is precious.
Kurt Johnson Auctioneering -- Kurt is a wonderful guy and has several auctioneers with whom he works. He ONLY does charity auctions ... no real estate on the side or anything like that. Super guy.
Kristine Fladeboe-Duininck - another Minnesota auctioneer from a longtime auction family. They do lots of types of auctions. Very professional.
Do a Websearch. They'll come up.
Good luck,
Sherry Truhlar / Red Apple Auctions
