What Should I Donate for the School Auction?

[BadGirl]

I've been asked to make a donation for a school fundraiser. I am willing to part with $100 worth of merchandise.

What would you recommend that I put in a basket for auction? Lots of little/inexpensive things, or a more substantial/expensive item?

Thanks!

 

[chefheidi2003]

I would probably do one larger item..then small items that compliment it..so a product that is around $50..then the other $50 in smaller items..but that is just me.

 

[NooraK]

How about a set of stainless mixing bowls with a couple of tools like a Mix 'N Scraper and such? You can stack the bowls and tie a bow around them for an impressive display.

 

[jwpamp]

When I am asked for a donation to an auction or raffle, I tell the person that it's much more lucrative to the organization to do a Fundraiser with me. It costs them nothing, there is no minimum requirement and the rewards are more than a single donation --

I have had several fundraisers ranging from the small $500 ones to ones in the $2500 - $4200 range.

 

[Sheila]

Great advice Janice!I usually donate something that I earned for free, 50% off or 60% off. That way, I can give something bigger without the extra cost. I did do a smaller donation once - a bamboo bowl with a season's best inside. I covered it with saran wrap (couldn't find cellophane here on the base ) and tied a bow on it. A few months later I was working a booth & someone started chatting & told me that she had fought & won a PC bundle during an auction at ________ school. I asked her if it was a bamboo bowl with a SBRC & she said yes. I told her I donated it. She was so thrilled, she ended up booking a show with me, then ended up signing & is now a Consultant on my team! Donations can definitely get you somewhere.

 

[JennLizFran]

Be sure to include a Gift Card good only through you too! I had a customer order pie gates and scrapers for all of her friends for Christmas. I made them into little goodie bags and included $10 gift certificates good with me in them. I wound up with 3 misc orders (totalling about $200) and a cooking show! It may have cost me a few dollars, but totally worth it!
I'm doing a donation basket for a local museum. I'm using the large bamboo bowl as the "basket" and filling it with a rub, a sauce, a cookbook, a scraper, bamboo spoons, A mini serving spatula, and a $50 gift certificate to be used with me! The auction is at the end of the month, but I've already got a bamboo order from the woman hosting it!
Good luck with your auction!

 

[BadGirl]

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone. They are much appreciated!

I think I may do a "Family Fun Night" kind of thing.... the Pizza Party Set (pizza cutter $9.75, large round stone with handles $29.50, pizza crust & roll mix $6.50), plus add in the garlic-infused oil ($11.50) and the Italian seasoning mix ($5.75), and finally the Slice-N Serve ($7.50). I'll finish it off with a $30 gift certificate (redeemable only to me!). That will put me right at the $100 threshold that I was hoping for.

I'll have a nice presentation with it, and hopefully will get some decent bids on it.

Again, I thank you for your ideas. This is a great resource to get great information!

 

[jwpamp]

If you are going to do the auction item, put a Gift Card for a "Free" Cooking show, too. Have them call you for the info, but you can supply the recipe ingredients and paper goods for them (maybe some Crystal Light for a drink). They get even MORE product -- for free -- and you get a show!

 

[pampered1224]

Same here. I did not always remember to put something in the donation which would require the recipient to make a call to me. Now I make sure to include my Consultant Gift Certificates with each donation and a catalog with the current and up coming guest and host specials. I even offer to double the amount of the GC if they book a party with me. I have done only about 25 of these in 10 years but I got 7 bookings and several subsequent bookings from those parties so...