Hi there
Wow, what a great idea! My sister is an instructor at a therapeutic
equestrian program so I’m quite familiar with the enjoyment and value
such a program provides. As it turns out I’m also well seasoned in the
world of fundraisers, having led a number of non-profit organizations
over the past 15 years.
Rule #1 – if you don’t ask, you won’t get any donations. So don’t be
shy! You’d be amazed what people will donate just to get a logo on
your brochure.
Rule #2 – Start today! To get donations from large companies takes
time. There is a lot of red-tape involved. If your auction is in
September you are already cutting it close.
The first things you need are your big draw items –
Trips / Vacation Packages -- My experience is that donors tend to
follow one another. In other words, if you can convince an airline to
donate say 2 tickets to Vermont, you will likely be able to get Stowe
Resort (or similar place) to kick in a 4-night stay and ski
lift-tickets, and a rental company to donate a car. Email or write to
every single airline post-haste (as they work slowly) and build your
trip packages based on what they offer you. Usually they are quite
specific: 2 round-trip tickets to a certain city which must be used
between certain dates.
Time Share or Condo rentals –sometimes vacation rental companies have
off-seasons where they are happy to donate a week’s stay.
Cars – though you may not be able to get your local dealer to donate a
car outright, you may be able work some kind of deal. Perhaps auction
a car by specifying a minimum bid (or reserve) figured based on the
dealer’s absolute minimum plus a little add-on so you make some money.
Recreation Vehicles – again talk to all your local dealers about
donating an ATV’s, motorbikes, snowmobiles, and the like. They may do
it outright if it’s last-year’s model or a return.
As far as going to manufacturer’s goes, I’ve never had any luck. The
wheels of the auto industry turn very slowly.
Medium Draw Items –
Computers, TV, DVD players – These types of items are sometimes
donated if you can find the right person in a store to ask. I've
always had the best luck in smaller, privately owned stores just
because the red-tape to get a donation is much less. Usually what the
store owner will do is offer to sell you the item at cost but not bill
you until after the auction. Again, set your reserve on the item so
you at least make your money back.
Or go direct to the corporation— Microsoft, Dell, Apple, SONY, all
these companies have avenues for soliciting donations for non-profit
organizations. A well-worded email with links to your website and an
explanation of how you plan to use the money should net you a return.
Services – Here, cleverly-named packages is your key to success!
Contact every local service you can think of (in person is best), and
ask for any donation no matter how trivial it may seem. Then package
them together in themes.
For example:
Business Start Up Package ($400 value): 1 yr Chamber of Commerce
membership, 500 business cards imprinted, 1 hour consultation with
accountant, $50 coupon to Office Depot, and $15 picture frame for
that first dollar on the wall.
(Always package at least one “tangible” item with sets of coupons. It
looks better.)
Mom’s Morning Off Package (Priceless): Coupon for 3 hour Gymboree
class for 4 -6 yr olds, 1 haircut coupon, 1 free pass to the Botanical
Gardens, one free paperback at Tom’s Books, and a variety basket of
herbal teas.
You get the idea …
Sports / Collectibles – write to every single sports team you can get
an address for and ask for donations. I’ve had huge success with this.
You will get everything from footballs and baseballs signed by players
to sports cards and passes to games, hockey sticks, signed photos,
pennants, t-shirts, everything. Don’t forget the lesser-known sports
and teams; women’s leagues especially.
Movie / TV – write to the studios or even individual actors. Often all
you will get is a signed photo, but occasionally more. I have gotten
entire actual scripts from TV shows. (Soap Operas actually, and people
went nuts over them… “Hey I SAW this episode!”)
Service Organizations – some service organization (Kiwanis, Rotary,
Shriners) may be willing to donate either items or cash. Don’t forget
to solicit them.
As you said, no item is too small. Face-to-face soliciting in the
town where your equestrian center is will likely net you enough small
and medium size items to put together some really nice packages that
will draw people. People, especially small-business owners, like to
support local charities.
Hey, and don't forget what you've got right under your nose ...
horses! Donate at least a couple of riding lesson or trail ride
packages. Not only will you make money, but that's that many more
people who will see your operation up close. It's all about marketing!
I think I’ve put together some concrete suggestions for you which are
based solidly on my own experience. Please feel free to ask for a
clarification if there’s anything you aren’t sure about.
Good luck in your venture –
--K~ |
