Auction Donation Toolkit: Help us build high-value baskets that raise real money!

Our silent auction baskets are one of the biggest fundraising drivers for St. Ben’s Bash! The better the baskets, the more bidding wars we create, and the more money we raise for Dare to Dream. Parents are the key to making that happen because you already have relationships with local businesses, places you shop, and services you use.

This page makes it easy. Pick an email below, copy, paste, send, and you’re done. Every donated gift card, item, or experience helps us build baskets people actually want to win!

Quick-Start (do this in 10 minutes)

• Make a list of 10 places you already go (or want to go)

• Send 3 emails today using the templates below

• Follow up once, 3 to 5 days later

• Coordinate drop-off or pickup and you’re a fundraising hero without doing a million tasks

Where to get great basket items:

Use these as a checklist for your outreach:

Food and drink

• Restaurants, pizza spots, bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream

• Specialty foods (chocolates, sauces, snack boxes)

• Catering or party platters

Family and kids

• Play places, trampoline parks, bowling, mini golf, zoos, museums

• Dance studios, martial arts, swim schools

• Tutoring centers, music lessons

Health and wellness

• Massage, chiropractic, physical therapy

• Yoga, gyms, spin studios

• Salons, nail places, barbers, skincare

Home and services

• Cleaning services, landscaping, snow removal

• Handyman, painter, HVAC tune-up

• Car wash, detailing, oil change, tire shop

Experiences

• Tickets to local sports, theater, comedy, concerts

• Photography sessions

• Cooking classes, art classes, workshops

Retail and “basket builders”

• Local boutiques, bookstores

• Sporting goods stores

• Pet stores and groomers

• Garden centers

Big swing donors

• Hotels and resorts (one night stay)

• Private clubs, golf courses, country clubs

• High-end restaurants

• Med-spas, plastic surgery consults, premium wellness packages

Pro tip: experiences often bring the highest bids because they feel special!

Other you can Help:

• Donate a new item that fits a theme (movie night, family game night, self-care, coffee lover, tailgate)

• Offer to pick up donations from businesses

• Ask your employer for a donation or gift card

• Build a themed basket with 3 to 5 items and drop it off

• Share the donation request with a friend who owns a business

What businesses can donate

Businesses can donate any of the following:

• Gift cards (most common and easiest)

• Products (new, unopened)

• Services (oil change, detailing, haircut, massage, cleaning, photography mini-session)

• Experiences (lessons, classes, tickets, admissions, memberships)

• Bundles (coffee + mug + beans, self-care kit, family fun pack)

High value does not have to mean expensive. It means desirable and easy to use!

How to patronize a business so your ask hits

The goal is to become a warm name, not a stranger with a request.

• Go in once before you ask, spend $10 to $30, and learn the manager’s name

• Leave a great review after a good experience, then email the donation request the next day

• Mention your genuine connection in the email (“We’re regulars,” “My family loves your place”)

• Make the ask easy: gift cards are simplest, pickup available is powerful

• Thank them immediately when they say yes, then thank them again after the event

This is relationship fundraising, not cold sales.

Copy and paste emails

Email option 1: Friendly and simple (best default)

Subject: Donation request for St. Ben’s Bash silent auction (5/16/26)

Hi [Name]!

I’m a parent at St. Benedict School, and we’re collecting donated items and gift cards for our St. Ben’s Bash silent auction on 5/16/26 (Dare to Dream fundraiser).

Would [Business Name] be willing to donate a gift card, item, or service? Donations will be recognized with our school community.

If you’re open to it, I can coordinate pickup or drop-off.  Thank you so much!

Email option 2: For a place you frequent (relationship-driven)

Subject: Quick ask from a St. Ben’s parent

Hi [Name],

My family loves [Business Name], and I’m reaching out as a St. Ben’s parent because we’re building silent auction baskets for St. Ben’s Bash on 5/16/26.

Would you consider donating a gift card or item for the auction? It makes a big difference for our fundraiser, and we’ll recognize donors with the school community.

Happy to coordinate pickup or drop-off, whatever is easiest. Thank you!

Email option 3: Gift card specific (fast yes)

Subject: Gift card donation request, St. Ben’s Bash silent auction

Hi [Name],

I’m a parent at St. Benedict School and we’re collecting gift cards for our St. Ben’s Bash silent auction on 5/16/26.

Would [Business Name] be able to donate a gift card in any amount? I can arrange pickup or drop-off.  Thanks so much for considering it!

Email option 4: Experience or service donation (high value basket builder)

Subject: Experience donation request, St. Ben’s Bash silent auction

Hi [Name],

I’m reaching out as a parent at St. Ben’s. We’re collecting experiences and services for our St. Ben’s Bash silent auction on 5/16/26.

Would [Business Name] be willing to donate an experience or service (for example: [lesson/session/package])? These are big hits with bidders and help us raise meaningful funds.

I can coordinate pickup or drop-off and provide any acknowledgment details needed. Thank you,

Email option 5: “Who’s the right person?” (when you don’t know the owner/manager)

Subject: Who’s the best contact for a donation request?

Hi [Name],

Quick question, who is the best person at [Business Name] to contact about donating an item or gift card for a local school silent auction?

I’m a St. Ben’s parent helping collect donations for St. Ben’s Bash on 5/16/26. If you point me to the right person, I’ll send the details of the donation - Thank you!