We are just 25 days away to our auction event. I'm new on the committee this year and while our auction is earlier than normal and maybe a late start (I was pulled in mid-January), I've been going crazy (and a little obsessed) with sending out donation requests. I've done many online and have also sent out our donation letter with the procurement form to those requiring requests be mailed. I've been happy to donate the postage and have included SASE envelopes with the school's address to make it one step easier for those companies that would most likely donate GCs or passes.
At this point, I've made 113 requests. I haven't seen all the responses as the online forms and formal letter all use our school's event coordinator as the contact. I have also emailed some requests where I've attached the same uploaded event letter and procurement form with a blurb about the event from my personal email. I know our event coordinator has received a lot of no answers, but here is what I'm personally aware of...
My results:
Requests made - 113
Yes - 16
No - 7
I find it exciting to see the event page with the auction items updated and see items appear that I know I've requested. Probably silly, although I'm sure you all on this board can relate. I'm hoping these last 3 weeks see a lot more come in! I know I was down to the wire on some requests and some were made a day or two under their lead time, but I figure the worst they can do is say no. I also included in my spread sheet places that required more lead time than we had so we can plan for next year.
We are in the thick of planning our May event. This year all of the proceeds are going to our summer playground update. I am letting everyone know this and am finding more people have been willing to donate. However, I am definitely having more luck locally/regionally than with large out of state corporations.
We are highlighting products, businesses and people with Michigan connections. Michigan pride runs deep and businesses want to get involved. I started thinking of some MI theme baskets that I wanted to put together and reached out accordingly. Some themes we are doing are "Destination Detroit", "Lansing Love", "Awesome Ann Arbor", "MI Pride", MI Cooks", "MI Bakes" and "MI Reads". Any of these theme could be adapted to your region.
I don't know how people got donations prior to the internet! Here are some good sources to try (again change MI to your state):
MI authors
MI publishing companies
Etsy (use your zip code in the search for local crafters)
MI foods
MI products
Chamber of Commerce (usually has a list of businesses) Check out their FB page, they often spotlight new businesses
Convention and Visitors Bureau (each major city usually has one)
Facebook-search your city name + business, send FB messages if they don't have a web site.
The following are great ways to do a Google search:
Donation request forms MI
MI companies that donate to auctions/schools/501 (c)(3)/etc
Auction donations MI
Auction donor thank you +state/city/county/etc (This will hopefully get you to some thank you lists from other's past auctions)
I have found sending an email is better than filling out the contact form. Either has been way more successful (and cheaper!) than snail mail. You have to be willing to do the work though. I have contacted over 1000 companies so far this year....so far I have 170 donations, and still waiting to hear from the majority.
Hi everyone! Starting to gather donations for our school's fair and basket raffle taking place in May. We are located in Allentown, PA (about an hour north of Philadelphia. ) This is the 3rd year I've been involved, and it keeps growing! I'm posting my (very early) list of "yes" replies, and I'll update periodically. If anyone has suggestions in the PA/NY/NJ area, that'd be great - this is where our focus is, although I am trying to pull together a few "travel" packages as well!
Children's museum of Richmond (VA)
Historic ships of Baltimore (MD)
Entertainment Cruises Baltimore (MD)
Old Sturbridge Village (MA)
Disney (FL)
Wonderworks (FL)
Absecon lighthouse (NJ)
Adventure Aquarium (NJ)
Hands on House (PA)
AACA museum (PA)
Reading Phillies (PA)
Delgrosso's amusement park (PA)
PA Renaissance Faire (PA)
Whitetail resort (PA)
DaVinci center (PA)
Lehigh Valley iron pigs (PA)
Silpada jewelry
The Melting Pot
Chipotle
Applebee's
Zoo books
Jan Brett
On the Border
Wawa
Comedy sports club (IL)
Andy Warhol museum (PA)
Pittsburgh steelers
Pittsburgh children's museum (PA)
Cherry Valley Vineyards (PA)
Shawnee Playhouse (PA)
Oriental trading company
Academy of Natural Sciences (PA)
Philadelphia flyers
Chick-fil-A
Philadelphia Soul
QVC tours (PA)
Philly pretzel Factory
Redner's Markets
I'd love to swap iseas/contacts! Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I'm hoping these last 3 weeks see a lot more come in! I know I was down to the wire on some requests and some were made a day or two under their lead time, but I figure the worst they can do is say no. I also included in my spread sheet places that required more lead time than we had so we can plan for next year.