Auction Guide 2015

PIP AUCTION GUIDE TO DONATIONS
Dear PIP Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the PIP Grant Program! In order to assist you in fulfilling your
Grant Application requirements, this guide provides you with the donation requirements, samples
of past donations, and information about earning bonus points through high value donations and
event sponsorship. The 24th Annual PIP Auction Gala will take place on Thursday, April 2nd, in
the Metcalf Ballroom at the George Sherman Union. The auction consists of a silent and live
auction, and balloon prizes. If you have additional questions after reading this guide, please
contact me or any of the Auction Co-Chairs. We are available by email at [email protected]
and also during office hours in Room 331. More information is also available at bupip.org.
We are looking forward to working with you! Good luck!!
Sincerely,
Thomas Fryska, Auction Chair
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AUCTION ITEM REQUIREMENTS:
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AUCTION ITEMS AND BALLOON PRIZES IS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 2015. IF ANY AUCTION ITEMS OR BALLOON PRIZES ARE
REJECTED, APPLICANTS HAVE UNTIL MARCH 19, 2015 TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE
REPLACEMENT ITEM.
Please keep a few important details in your mind throughout this process.
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The auction is our premier fundraiser, and we rely on high quality items to fundraise for
your grants. The better items, the more money we raise, the more grants we can provide.
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Therefore, think (1) high quality, (2) high value, and (3) high return. If you need item
suggestions or ideas, please contact anyone on the auction committee or on the PIP board.
SPECIFIC ITEM REQUIREMENTS:
Each PIP applicant is required to obtain:
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2 auction donations from an organization or person of his/her choosing (valued for at
least $75 each at the auction); and
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3 balloon prizes (valued for at least $25 each).
BALLOON PRIZES:
Balloon prizes are one of the biggest sellers at the auction. A balloon prize should be valued at
$25-$50. Typically, guests purchase a balloon for $5, $10 or $15, and each balloon contains a
ticket corresponding to a prize. Purchasers pop their balloon to find out what prize they have won.
Here are some suggestions of items that could count as a balloon prize:
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Movie tickets or movie gift card
Bags of nice coffee
Puzzles or games
Popular books
Food gift cards
Kitchen utensils
iPod shuffle
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AUCTION DONATIONS:
Each auction donation must have a minimum bidding value of $75. If you are able to obtain a
donation that is worth over $250, you have the option of counting it as both of the required
donations. However, even if you obtain a high value item worth more than $250, you must
still obtain three balloon items.
The $75 requirement does not apply to the actual price of the donated item. Instead, it applies to
how much money we will seek for the item at the auction.
RESTRICTIONS ON BALLOON AND AUCTION DONATIONS:
NO alcohol. We are not permitted to directly auction off any alcoholic beverages.
Stay away from gift certificates for a specific monetary value. We will only accept ONE gift
certificate donation from each PIP applicant as one of your required donations. There is no limit,
however, on the amount of gift certificates that can be donated for extra points (i.e. in addition
to the three balloon prizes and two auction donations). Gift certificates are difficult to auction
off because no one wants to pay more than their face value.
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This applies only to gift certificates for specific monetary amounts. Gifts certificates for
services without a specified value are fine. Services include things like: a make-up
consultation, a night in a hotel room, dinner for two with an unspecified value.
NO Groupons or LivingSocial Deals. We cannot accept Groupons, LivingSocial or other group
site deals. They are difficult to redeem and are not auction-presentable.
Avoid Credit Card or Airline Points. Feel free to redeem your points in exchange for tangible
auction items. However, we cannot accept stand-alone points.
Clothing and Shoes. Clothing and shoes can be great items to auction (especially designer
items) but keep in mind that if the item is a specific size (for example, a pair of size 6 shoes) it
is going to go for much less and have a much narrower audience than a gift certificate to a shoe
store.
Artwork. Artwork can be tricky: though something may sell for a large amount in a gallery,
it may not sell for a large amount at the auction. For example, we may receive a photograph
that would sell for $250 in a local gallery. At the auction, though, it is unlikely that it’ll sell
for more than $100. If you are considering donating artwork, please talk to the auction chairs
about the item before donating it.
Jewelry. If you plan on donating jewelry, please try to provide us with specific information about
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the nature and monetary value of the jewelry. If we are unable to verify this information, we
might not be able to accept the item. Similarly, jewelry items such as pearls and diamonds do
relatively well, while rings do not.
Seasonal/Holiday Items. Please avoid holiday items as they are often not great sellers.
Seasonal items (grills, beach packages, gardening equipment) are fine.
Services. Please limit donations to professional services only. If your dad is a professional chef
and wants to cook dinner for the winner, great. If YOU think you give a great massage after
learning from your former roommate Sven . . . not so good.
Packaging. Think about how smaller items can be packaged into larger bundles. Many of our
items are put into larger packages and gift baskets so look for items that could be packaged
well with others. (However, don‘t feel like you have to package items yourself. That’s our job.)
Remember. . . if you have a questionable item, PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE
DEADLINE TO ASK ABOUT IT. If you’re unsure if your item will qualify, CHECK BEFORE
BUYING/BRINGING IT.
Ascertaining the Value of Items:
At this point, you might be asking yourself: How should I know the value of an item? Valuing
auction items is not an exact science, so do not stress too much about figuring out how much
your item will be worth at the auction. We want to work with you in accepting and auctioning
off your items. Here are some tips to help you in the process:
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Come talk to an Auction Chair: Don’t hesitate to e-mail an Auction Chair to ask
about a prospective item, or, better yet, bring the item by the PIP office to discuss
the value.
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Check out eBay or other related sites: A great tool for determining how much others
value your item, especially if it is used, is by checking out how much people are bidding
on the items on eBay.com or Amazon.com. Don’t hesitate to print out how much people
are bidding on similar items and show the auction chairs when you bring in your item.
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TIPS FOR FINDING ITEMS:
We understand that finding auction items may seem stressful, but we have outlined some
helpful tips to make this as easy as possible. You will be shocked by how willing family,
friends, alumni, work associates, and businesses are to help if you just call and ask!
Tip 1: Do not be afraid to cold call!
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Open up the phone book, look at the businesses, and start calling. Alternatively, walk
around Coolidge Corner and pop into some stores. Many Boston businesses are used to
law students calling them for the PIP Auction, and will be happy to contribute.
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Businesses from your hometown will also provide a valuable resource.
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Many large companies, such as sports franchises, cruise lines, and restaurants have
structured giving procedures listed on their websites. NOTE: Deadlines for submitting
donation requests from these types of sponsors arrive EARLY.
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Remember, the worst that can happen is “no.”
Tip 2: Reach out to family and friends!
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Some of our best selling items include use of a family’s condo or vacation house for a
week or a donation of game tickets from someone whose family has season tickets.
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Some of you may be thinking, “But my extended family just sold their 10-bedroom
seaside chateau in Nice! What am I to do?” Does your aunt own a sporting goods store?
Call her up, ask how your cousin is doing, and see if she has some extra inventory lying
around! Did you used to work at a local boutique in your hometown? Reach out to your
old boss and ask for assistance.
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One student’s experience searching for auction items: “I sent out an email asking who
had lightly used sporting goods or instruments/connections/employee discounts/special
skills etc. and I was surprised at the response. My aunts just gave me $25 each that I
used to buy some items, my other friend offered his discount at Neiman Marcus, and
my roommate got 2 theatre tickets from his boss.”
Tip 3: Redeem Lexis or credit card points!
• Redeem them for prizes you can donate.
Tip 4: Ask for PIP Auction gifts in lieu of holiday gifts!
Tip 5: Participate in law school raffle and donate your winnings!
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WHEN TO BEGIN SOLICITING & COLLECTING DONATIONS:
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Holiday break is an excellent time to approach donors. Use the extended holidays,
including Thanksgiving and Christmas, to collect items. This is especially important if you
do not live in Boston or if you have family and friends outside the area who are willing to
support the auction.
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Often times, businesses only have so many charitable donations that they can make in a tax
cycle. PIP is competing against other student organizations in the Boston area that are also
trying to solicit charitable donations. The earlier you get out and start soliciting donations, the
more likely you’ll get a favorable response.
PIP will maintain an editable list of places that have donated in the past, and places that have
already donated for the 2015 Auction on our website. Please check this list, keep it updated, and
do not ask merchants who are listed as having donated.
PIP may host auction blitzes or provide resources to help applicants find items. Applicants will
be given specific neighborhoods that get less auction traffic and we’ll work together to make sure
everyone can find great items. Be on the lookout for these opportunities!
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EXAMPLES OF DONATED ITEM PACKAGES:
The PIP auction is divided into two parts: a silent auction and a live auction. The following are
excerpts from the auction brochure. All the items were donations from PIP applicants.
Silent auction items:
For the Working Girl: Keep track of all your meetings with a pink leather Kate Spade Day
Planner, and make sure to look fabulous when you get there with a pair of Signature Collection
Gloves, a new pair of earrings, and a necklace from the Pear Tree. After a long week at the
office, relax with a visit to G-Spa ($50 gift card), or chill out at home with a
Lush ―Love Box. Make sure to treat yourself right!
Find your Spiritual Side: Looking to find your spiritual being and get a good work out all at the
same time? This gift certificate for 5 yoga classes at Soni Yoga will get you started off right.
Increase your flexibility and strength, and do it in style with this brand
new Yoga shirt.
Gamblin‘ on the Jersey Shore: Do you get excited by the sound of slot machines? Then
start planning your next trip to Atlantic City by bidding on a two-night stay at the Serenity Suite‘
at La Sammana Resort in Brigantine, NJ. Atlantic City is only minutes away, and a free shuttle
service from the resort to the local casinos means you can safely throw back those
complementary drinks!
Pool Party!: Become the most popular guy/gal in town when you treat 25 of your friends to two
hours of pool and a free appetizer platter at Jillian‘s.
Live auction items:
A Tedy Bruschi signed football: Get a piece of the Tedy Bruschi magic with this football signed
by the New England Patriots Linebacker!
Game On Red Sox: Want to see Manny, Youk and Big Papi live and in person? You and a friend
can watch the Red Sox defend their World Series crown at historic Fenway Park! Round out the
perfect game with dinner and drinks at Game On!, voted Boston‘s Best Sports Bar three years
running!
Cape Cod Getaway: Get away for a weekend this spring or fall to Massachusetts‘ favorite
vacation spot: Cape Cod! Relax in a large luxurious four-bedroom beach home. Walk out the
door and into the sand—this house is located directly on Old Silver Beach. Stay for three days
and two nights any weekend (Friday – Sunday) before July 4 and after Labor Day.
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THE BONUS POINTS SYSTEM:
Each applicant must meet the basic requirements laid out in the application guide. In the
event that PIP cannot fund 100% of applicants, each applicant will be ranked on the basis of
essay scores, community service hours (including up to 5 bonus points for extra service), PIP
hours, and auction hours (including up to 5 bonus points as explained below).
Applicants will have an opportunity to earn a maximum of ten (10) bonus points towards
their application. Five (5) of those points can come from your donated auction items.
There are three ways you can use your auction items to obtain bonus points towards your
application:
1. Donate Additional Prizes – After you donate your mandatory two items with a
minimum value of $75 each and your three balloon prizes with a minimum value of
$25 each, you may donate additional items for bonus points. Please see the table
below for details. Many of these additional donations will be used as balloon prizes or
to supplement gift packages.
Additional Items:
Extra auction donations between $75-$175
Extra high-value items
Additional balloon prizes totaling up to $100
1 bonus point
See bonus structure below
1 bonus point
2. Donate High Value Items – PIP applicants can earn additional points for auction items
worth a certain amount. The table below details our bonus point structure:
High Value Items:
Between $176-$300
Between $300-$500
Between $500-$1,000
Over $1000
1 bonus point
2 bonus points
3 bonus points
4 bonus points
3. Program Sponsorship – You will receive additional points for each program sponsorship
you obtain. Program sponsorships are cash donations made by businesses in return for
advertising space in our program. The price of the sponsorship depends on the size of the ad
purchased. The minimum sponsorship level is $150 and an applicant will receive one extra
point for a sponsorship in that amount. Additional points will be awarded depending on the
size of the sponsorship:
Program Sponsorship:
$150 (business card size)
$250 (quarter page ad)
$500 (half page ad)
$1,000 (full page ad)
1 bonus point
2 bonus points
4 bonus points
5 bonus points
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