I need to come up with some fundraising ideas and good things to get to auction off?

Question

I work for a non-profit organization for children and need to come up with some awsome ideas on how to raise money , and cool things to auction off and throw me all of your ideas please... THank you ..

Deprately Susan

Answer 1

Approach local stores in your area with your request.  See if they are willing to donate items for the auction (remember to give them acknowledgement for their donations).  The best way to do this is to write up a letter describing your organization, what they need to money for, and what are their benefits for helping you out.  You should include information about your organization's tax exempt status so they can also deduct the cost of their donation on their taxes (another bonus for them).  Send the letter to the manager of the store, and follow up in a week with a phone call or a personal visit.  Larger stores in your area (such as Target or Home Depot or whatever) may have information on their web sites on their 'corporate social responsibility" policy which will describe their causes of interest, and application procedures.  

One idea is that due to gas prices, car sales are way down, particularly on gas guzzlers.  If there is a car dealership in your community, why not have your executive director or a board member (not you) approach the owner and see if they are willing to donate a car/SUV (since they are less likely to sell them they may want to get one off the lot for the tax write-off).

finally, assuming you have a donor database, you can send out an appeal letter asking people to make donations of gently-used items for auction - donors are already committed to the mission of the organization and may be more likely to give.

Answer 2

Susan the key to remember is that when people give money they are giving it to you not with expectations.

I always laugh when I see the Girl Scouts or a local school club knock on my door looking to sell me some over priced cookie or candy.

Go to one of the large mega store, Sams Costco etc and buy some bulk candy bars. Send the kids out to go door to door, with adult supervision, to sell them.

If you get each bar lets say for 25 cents then sell them for $1. That's 75 cents back to you. You can pick any price point the main thing is you are keeping most of the profit.

Another is contact 15-20 local businesses and ask if they will give you a discount coupon to run in a coupon book. Find out from a local printer what it's going to cost and divide the cost evenly among the retailers part. Don't forget layout. Again go door to door and sell them.

The bottom line here is costs low profits high and eliminate middlemen.

Answer 3

Hi there! I work with a company that has several easy to use, low cost or even no cost fundraiser programs. Do you have a few friends and family members who might be excited to help you with your project? Maybe even a campus or church newspaper you could post a web address in? Would they like a great deal on Netflix, Vista Print, As Seen On TV, or even a golf swing training system? I can help you make a web page (in about 15 minutes) that has excellent offers from all of these companies and more. Best of all, it doesn't cost anything for you to set up or use! Every time a friend or family member uses one of these offers (like Netflix for $14.99), you will earn between $3 and $25 dollars, depending on the offer. We also have scratch and help cards, spinners, the ABC fundraising card with buy one get one pizza offers, and more! Email me back and I can get you started.

Answer 4

car wash or dog batheing, ask for donations.