As an update to a previous post, we sold my son’s YuGiOh cards! It was a painless process. I encourage you all to give it a whirl.
As non profits, you have some great options:
1.) Sign up to sell items. You know the items that didn’t sell at your silent auction or have been randomly donated. Why not open it up to 222 million eBay users? You can also follow up by sending a note to your constituents to check out your on line auction. It is another soft touch to your donors/constituents and something new.
2.) You can also encourage your donors/constituents to hold their own auctions benefiting your organization.
3.) You can even outsource the whole thing, by hiring a group who will collect the items, list them and donate the appropriate percentage
Roman Garcia from eBay sent me a Powerpoint presentation walking you through the options. (See attachement.) It is pretty thorough. If you have any further questions, you find out more here.
First things first, sign your agency up on MissionFish. In San Jose there were only 9, not much of a choice for potential sellers. It is quick and easy, so just do it!
Download ebay_giving_works_fundraising_on_ebay_for_nonprofits_0107.pdf
There is nothing I like better than an afternoon of guilt free shopping. Guilt free shopping? Heck yeah, you know shopping when I get to rationalize that part of the money I spend that day goes to the charity, specifically the charity of my choice. Now, most folks find that kind of rationalization a bit hard to pass up.
For the past few years, Macy's Department store nationally has hosted their "Shop for a Cause" day raising over 9 million last year in a single day. This year shopping day is set for Saturday, October 13, 2007. They are looking for agencies who want to participate now.
From the perspective of a non-profit, it is quite simple to take part. Basically, you download a form and sign up your agency. You are then given tickets to sell for $5.00. For every ticket sold, you keep all the profits.
What does a ticket buyer get? They get 20% or more off in certain departments. There are raffle drawings and other in-store promotions. Random shoppers off the street can buy tickets at the door. It is a fun afternoon, many shoppers make an afternoon of it - imagine soccer moms, social workers and shopaholics all in one place.
Pros and Cons of participating:
Organizations I have worked with have participated in the past with mixed results:
Pluses:
Easy to sign up.
Does not cost a cent to participate.
Immediately get cash, no waiting for check to be cut.
Can use funds any way you like, not linked to a particular project or grant.
Challenges:
*Have to actually sell tickets.
You have to first decide if it is worth the effort.
*Who leads the campaign?
Will the return from the effort be worth the time spent? Will a staff member or volunteer lead the effort?
* Is this an easy way to engage your volunteers or prior donors?
This may be a low cost/low risk easy ask to engage new donors. However, this could be burdensome if you are going back to your sole donor base. Are you risking over-asking by selling tickets?
Overall, I think for organizations that can sell tickets en masse it is well worth the effort. Schools, Girl Scout troops and children's organizations seem to do well and are able to bring out the shoppers. BTW, Macy's also does a nice job of PR on the day, which may mean their PR machine may help get your story out.
Good luck!
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