We recently had our annual auction. We're in the Washington DC area. We did well, but I could definitely see a change in what people are interested in to bid on. People were more conservative with their money and really bidding on more "useful" items--restaurant gift cards, camps, car washes, etc. The trips did not sell very well at all, even though most were within a few hour drive. The economy is definitely having an impact. So next year, I will be approaching the auction donations more carefully--ie: not requesting donations from organizations too far out of the area, particularly for trips. Something to think about as you're requesting donations for your organizations.
Katherine - I got a response real quick from AMC Cares. I never had to go into the Donation XChange. I got a response from the local theater I selected in my application. I'd try again or try the contact us for your local AMC.
I received 2 passes.
I also want people to know that McDonald's donated 2 cases (about 400) frozen pancakes to us for our Breakfast with the Easter Bunny fundraiser. They can't donate meat products.
Cumberland Farms donated hamburger buns to our Homecoming last September.
Thank you to the person who suggested my towns Chamber of Commerce. I pulled a list of businesses to send golf sponsorships to. Hopefully I get some results.
I applied for AMC tickets through the DonationX site in November. My event is in May. The status says "waiting." Several other requests that I made through that site to local sports teams are the same, but some were answered almost immediately. Is this normal for AMC or do you think I applied too early?
Thanks everyone for advice on sending to local businesses... I emailed a lot of companies and barely no one responded and didn't even look at it when I did my follow up call. Next year I'm definitely mailing the letters and then assigning follow up calls. Hope it will help decrease the stress.
We had a meeting last night and they want to stop collecting for our 29th event so the program can be made but I still have couple dozen letters out there that I'm waiting to be reviewed. Frustrating.
Plus getting parents to attend is horrible. Maybe just a dozen. Any advice on that? I don't understand how they don't want to support the school event that raises money for their scholarships to educate their kids.
Good luck to everyone.
