Personal Auction Item Solicitations
Use Volunteer Supporters to Request Higher-Value Donations
Mar 24, 2009
When soliciting silent auction donations, a non-profits' most valuable asset can be the personal connections of volunteers. This is especially true for donations from local businesses, which often represent some of the most actively bid items at an auction event. The same business that will donate a $25 gift certificate to any local charity that asks, may hand over $100 certificate if asked personally by a familiar customer who patronizes the business regularly.
Making Personal Solicitations Easy for Volunteers
Asking for donations is hard for many people, so the easier it is for supporters to make a painless request, the more likely they are to actually do it. A great thing about asking for volunteers to help solicit is that they are not being asked to go out of their way, or do anything unusual. The whole point is to ask those already on their "regular route."
Provide several copies of a generic version of the auction solicitation letter (see the article Writing a Silent Auction Donation Solicitation), along with a fill-in form with information about any donation they might collect. Because a full-page letter is large to carry around, an alternative is to create a business-card sized, or postcard sized pledge form. Volunteers can record a pledge for an item (with or without taking receipt of the actual item) along with contact information for the business, and a staff member can provide the paperwork when fulfilling the pledge.
Tips for Making a Personal Solicitation
Making a personal solicitation may seem overwhelming to volunteers, but providing a simple script may provide the confidence them need. Encourage them start with a few restaurants or stores where they personally know the owner or manager and are already comfortable in conversation with him or her.
For example, in a shop the volunteer frequents, they can find an appropriate moment during a purchase or chat or and say something like:
"As you know, I've shopped here for years, and I was hoping you might be able to help me support an organization I feel strongly about. I'm helping (charity) to raise silent auction donations for their upcoming (event) on (date). Many businesses in the community are participating and I was hoping I could count on you to contribute a $100 gift certificate. On top of helping the organization, I'd feel really great about sharing my regard for you and your store with others during the event."
Chances are that after a couple successes, they'll be feeling confident enough to be asking everyone they know!
In addition to regular shops and restaurants, some other great possibilities include spas or massage therapists, hotels, veterinarians, gyms and health clubs, trainers or yoga instructors, butchers or grocers, local artisans, hairdressers, and more.
Soliciting silent auction items is a great way for volunteers to contribute to a charity event within their regular schedule. And by making a personal ask, they will likely obtain a much more valuable contribution than would have otherwise been donated.
Related Articles:
How to Get Silent Auction Items
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