We Are Looking Forward to Working with You! Good Luck!

PIP Auction Guide

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 Auction requirements, samples of past donations, and information about earning bonus points. The 27th Annual PIP Auction will take place on Thursday, March 29th, on BU’s campus. The Auction consists of a silent auction, a live auction, and balloon prizes. If you have additional questions after reading this guide, please contact the Auction Co-Chairs. We are available by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. In your email subject, include “PIP Auction.” More information is also available at bupip.org.

We are looking forward to working with you! Good luck!

Sincerely,

Evan Bailey and Yuliya Levertova

1 Auction Item Requirements

We will begin accepting items January 22, 2018. If you submit your high value contribution on or before February 9, 2018 you will receive 1 bonus point. If you submit all item and solicitation requirements before February 16, 2018 you will receive 1 bonus point. We will continue to accept items until February 23, 2018. February 23rd is the final day for submitting items.

Important

 The Auction is our premier fundraiser, and we rely on high quality items to fundraise for your grants. The better the items, the more money we raise, the more grants we can provide.

 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.

Item/Solicitation Requirements

Three (3)  items worth at least $25 each

 One (1) item worth at least $75  One (1) high value contribution worth at least $250 OR complete three (3) hours of PIP sponsored solicitation  One (1) faculty/staff solicitation.

Balloon Prize Requirements

Balloon prizes are one of the biggest sellers at the Auction. A balloon prize should be valued at least $25. Guests purchase a balloon containing a ticket and then pop their balloon to find out what prize they’ve won. Balloon prize suggestions

 Yoga mat  Bags of nice coffee  Puzzles or games  Gift cards  Gym Class Passes (Yoga classes, spin classes, etc.)  Tickets to fun events around Boston  BU apparel  Sports apparel/memorabilia  Amazon Fire Stick/Chromecast  Bluetooth Earbuds

Mid Value Contribution Requirement

One item (1) worth $75 or more.

 Tickets to fun events around Boston  Gift certificates to fancy restaurants  New Amazon Echo  Beats Headphones  Cameras  Gym Class Passes (Yoga classes, spin classes, etc.)

High Value Contribution Requirement

Each high value item must be worth at least $250.

PIP will be holding solicitation hours to contact businesses. Complete 3 hours at those events.

High Value Item Suggestions

 Vacation packages (ex. timeshare/condo rental)  Broadway/concert tickets (must be at least 2!)  Spa services  iPad/Tablet  Gift cards to local restaurants  Season passes

General Item Restrictions

 No alcohol. We are not permitted to directly auction off any alcoholic beverages. But alcohol related products and experiences (brewery tour, wine aerator, bottle opener, etc.) are OK.

3  Gift cards are limited to two (2) gift cards.  No credit card or airline points.  Avoid credit card gift cards (like visa gift cards)  No Groupon or Living Social Deals. They are difficult to redeem.  Clothing and shoe donations MUST have prior approval from an auction chair. It is difficult to auction off things in different sizes (ex. Size 6 shoes). Scarves and other one size fits all items are OK.  Artwork - If you are considering donating artwork, then you MUST have prior approval from an Auction Chair about the item before donating it.  No Jewelry. It is difficult to value.  Avoid seasonal or holiday items.  Donations for 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.

Keep in Mind . . .

 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.  Item values: Valuing items is not an exact science. We want to work with you in accepting and auctioning off your items. That being said, if an item is sold on Amazon for $10, we will most likely not accept is as valued at $25.  If you have any questions, please come talk to an Auction Chair. Don’t hesitate to e- mail: [email protected] or [email protected].  EBay or other related sites are great tools for determining how much others value your item.  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE TO ASK ABOUT ITEMS. If you’re unsure if your item will qualify, CHECK BEFORE BUYING/BRINGING IT.

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!

 We will be sending out a spreadsheet with past businesses that have donated so you’ll have an idea of where to call. Please check this list, keep it updated, and do not ask merchants who are listed as having donated for this year. Do not remove other people’s name or contact businesses/faculty others have already signed up to contact.  Google local businesses, and start calling. Or walk around Coolidge Corner and pop into some stores. Many Boston businesses are used to law students calling them for the PIP Gala, and will be happy to contribute.

 Businesses from your hometown are also a valuable resource.

 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 are EARLY.

 Remember, the worst that can

happen is “no.”

Tip 2: Reach out to family and friends!

 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.

 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.

Tip 3: Redeem Lexis or credit card points!

Tip 4: Ask for PIP Auction gifts in lieu of holiday gifts!

When to Begin Soliciting and Collecting Donations

 Holiday break is an excellent time to approach donors. Use the extended holidays to collect items.  Often, 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 there, the better!

5 Examples of Donated Item Packages

The PIP Gala 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

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 throwback 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.