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An effective way to collect donations is by structuring the
procurement committee into competing teams. Meet every week and track
results by dollar amount on a large permanent chart. Provide incentives.
Always ask for 3 times more than you reasonably expect to receive. At
least try to get 2 of everything. Even though only one item will be
offered there are always more than one bidder willing to pay the top bid
price for the 2nd donation. The most popular auction items are travel
and vacation packages suited to the bidding crowd. They can range from
overnight get-a-ways at local hotels to extended stays at resorts
including air-fare. Start with on-line travel agencies and expand your
contacts directly to airlines and hotels, including the following:
| 1. Tourism Bureaus |
4. Time-shares |
| 2. Regional Airlines |
5. Local tourist attractions |
| 3. Destination resorts |
6. Charter bus companies |
The highest grossing category for donations is the media with
individual contributions of $1,000 to $5,000 in advertising space and
time. Couple these with web graphic design and audio/ visual production
and bidding increases. Contact as many as possible in each of the
following areas:
| 1. Newspapers |
4. Transit |
| 2. Internet providers |
5. Billboard |
| 3. Television - Radio |
6. Direct Mail |
Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development
Council to obtain a list of your area's 25 largest employers. Tell them
your story and your need for fundraising. Ask each for a donation
amounting to 10% of the total fundraising auction goal. Each will
contribute. Look for ways to combine with other contributions into
bidding packages of $500 or more. Businesses here include:
| 1. E-businesses |
4. Government and education |
| 2. Medical |
5. Support services |
| 3. Manufacturing |
6. Natural Resource Advocates |
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Everybody wants to know what it's like to do someone else's job
"for a day." These popular bidding items usually include lunch
or dinner for one or more. The best sellers include:
| 1. Legislator |
4. Air Traffic Reporter |
| 2. Elected City Officials |
5. TV-Radio Personality |
| 3. Police Patrol |
6. Artist |
New artwork in any medium is always a good seller,
particularly when the artist is known by the bidders. Artists can take a
tax deduction on the cost of materials and the amount raised over that
is deductible to the successful bidder. Search for the following
donations:
| 1. Signed/numbered prints |
4. Celebrity Autographs |
| 2. Originals |
5. Animation Cels |
| 3. Quilts |
6. Glass |
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An excellent revenue producer is sports equipment,
particularly those activities that a large portion of bidders can
participate in:
| 1. Golf |
4. Exercise equipment |
| 2. Fishing |
5. Hot air balloon |
| 3. Guided/catered activities |
6. Rafting |
Everybody enjoys an evening out, a group activity with friends
or special event. Such as:
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1. Dinner/theatre party
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4. Products/services for a year
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2. Catered food & entertainment
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5. Theme party for adults or children
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3. Water cruise
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6. Sports event tickets
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Copyright
2001 © Fergus Prestbye Auctioneer
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