| Holding a silent or live auction at your fundraising event | | | | Other ideas could include having your name or |
| can help to bring in lots of additional funds. The guests | | | | message put up at the local movie theater for a day |
| at your event already support your organization, and | | | | or a week, getting your own day declared by the |
| chances are they would be happy to bid on items to | | | | Mayor and walking in your town's Fourth of July |
| help you raise much-needed funds. | | | | parade. |
| Offering unique auction items, things that people cannot | | | | To come up with unique "experiences" it can be helpful |
| typically find in a store, will help create interest in the | | | | to begin by thinking of who you know and have a |
| auction. People will be more eager to bid because they | | | | connection to first. Then ask this person if they would |
| will realize this is literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience | | | | like to help your organization by making a donation to |
| for them. So it is a win-win situation for them, they get | | | | the silent auction with an "experience". Let the person |
| something they are very excited about having, and | | | | come up with an alternative idea if they have one, |
| they also help to support an organization they really | | | | remember sometimes people get excited about |
| care about. | | | | participating and they will come up with an even better |
| You probably have connections to obtaining unique | | | | idea. |
| items that you may not have thought about before. | | | | Make sure to put any "rules" the person gives you |
| Consider your board members and volunteers: what | | | | about winning the prize (i.e. - must be completed within |
| interesting jobs and connections might they have? A | | | | three months, can only be done Monday through |
| great unique auction item could be lunch with an | | | | Wednesday, etc.). This person you have connected |
| important business leader in your community. Another | | | | with may even have other people or organizations that |
| great idea could be an afternoon spent in someone's | | | | they know that would be happy to help your |
| office - perfect for that high school or college student | | | | organization. |
| considering a career. | | | | Another idea is to suggest a theme when soliciting |
| A similar experience would be to be named a | | | | donations, such as Family Fun, Sweets or Travel and |
| "Policeman for a Day" or "Fireman for a Day." This | | | | to obtain items that focus on your theme. When you |
| could be a fun day designed for a child, a whole | | | | give some suggestions and ideas for auction items it |
| classroom or a family. You would need to contact the | | | | often helps stir up ideas in someone's mind. They may |
| local police or fire department to see if they would | | | | come up with a creative auction item that even you or |
| give a tour to the winner and perhaps let them have a | | | | your committee wouldn't have thought of! |
| ride in a car or on the fire truck and maybe put on a | | | | Auctions are a terrific way to help your organization |
| hat. (Imagine the look on a seven-year old boy's face | | | | raise additional funds. With some creative thinking you |
| having that adventure and you can see this would be | | | | are certain to find some wonderful auction items. |
| a great auction prize!). | | | | |