If you are building a silent auction target solicitation list, you'll want to start with some tried and true items. Businesses that provide core items are used to being asked for donations, often have regular procedures in place to donate and generally already understand the value of participating in silent auctions. A successful and memorable auction will also have more creative and unique items, but core items provide the base upon which to build an active, successful auction.
Core Silent Auction Items
These are the basic items your guests will be expecting, are generally easy to request and create the core of your auction offerings.
- Hotel Stays – You'll have the most luck with local hotels which can sometimes have limited appeal to guests, but are still worth requesting (think "In-Town Getaway" or "Romantic Escape"). Staff or volunteers with connections to those in the hotel industry, hold events at hotels, or are known regular visitors to hotels may be able to obtain great non-local donations. If you live reasonable distance to destination vacation spots and can make a case that your local audience is their target market, try those too.
- Restaurant Donations – This is a great way to ask to local businesses to support your group. Dining out items always sell well at auctions. Chain restaurants (or their multi-chain parent companies) with locations nearby also tend to give reliably, but be sure to leave them more lead time. Also, don't forget bakeries and gourmet groceries with prepared foods.
- Retail Donations – Local boutiques, gift stores, grocery stores, independent toy or drug stores, hardware stores – really anyone who sells goods can be asked to donate actual items and/or gift certificates. Chain retail stores with nearby location will also often donate gift cards/certificates, but again, leave more lead time.
- Services – Local practitioners or service providers are a great source of donations. Chiropractors, acupuncturists, dentists, hairdressers, massage therapists, yoga studios, health clubs, accountants, veterinarians, manicurists, and others will donate a service in the hopes of picking up a permanent client. This is only a small sampling of who you can ask – the possibilities are endless.
- Entertainment and Recreation – What is there to do in your area for both kids and adults? Sports teams (major and minor), theaters (stage and screen), theme parks, golf courses, mini-golf, kids' classes (ballet studios, karate classes, etc.), children's museums, art or history museums, parks or trails that charge for entry or parking and other items like this are very popular. Think about what's specific to your area – in coastal or lakeside areas, boat cruises or fishing charters, for example. Think seasonally (even if not in the season of your event) about local and nearby festivals and fairs. Brainstorm with other staff and volunteers about what they and their families do for fun. Again, for any chains, like movie theaters, give some extra lead time.
In addition to these core items, you may also want to solicit in some more creative ways. Thinking outside of the box will increase your donations, making up businesses that may stop giving in a tight economy. This will also broaden your offerings, appealing to more guests, and adding some color and variety to your auction. See the articles Creative Silent Auction Items and Celebrity Silent Auction Items.
You should also create items and packages that relate specifically to your event and your organization. These items will make your auction truly unique and memorable, and likely bring in the highest bids as well. See the article Unique Silent Auction Items.
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