To Donate or not to Donate
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 619
I've donated several quilts to various schools for fund raisers, my daughter & sister are teachers & their schools need money, and also the schools my grandchildren attend.
I've realized that if the quilts are raffled they bring in much more money then when auctioned, people are willing to spend a dollar on a raffle ticket but can't afford to bid a high amount. I'm not involved with the fund raising committees of any of these schools but wish I could influence them to raffle, not auction. One school raffled the first quilt I donated, brought in $800, but then they decided to go to auction, the quilt this year only made $70 at auction. Next year I'll probably just donate money unless they go back to raffle.
I've realized that if the quilts are raffled they bring in much more money then when auctioned, people are willing to spend a dollar on a raffle ticket but can't afford to bid a high amount. I'm not involved with the fund raising committees of any of these schools but wish I could influence them to raffle, not auction. One school raffled the first quilt I donated, brought in $800, but then they decided to go to auction, the quilt this year only made $70 at auction. Next year I'll probably just donate money unless they go back to raffle.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,397
maire - I also strongly support raffles over auctions.
I coordinate an annual "community quilt" project where different people do a block and I put them all together for a fundraiser for our scholarship fund. We usually end up with two lap quilts instead of one larger quilt. Based on going rates for making custom quilts, each of ours would be worth about 300$. Because they raffle them, we bring in about $1500 to $1600 each year for two of them. Much better return than an auction.
I coordinate an annual "community quilt" project where different people do a block and I put them all together for a fundraiser for our scholarship fund. We usually end up with two lap quilts instead of one larger quilt. Based on going rates for making custom quilts, each of ours would be worth about 300$. Because they raffle them, we bring in about $1500 to $1600 each year for two of them. Much better return than an auction.
#16
I just received an update from the coordinator of the event. This quilt went for $255 and a smaller scrappy quilt went for $85.
It didn't end up so bad but I stil question whether to do it again next year.
It didn't end up so bad but I stil question whether to do it again next year.
#17
Originally Posted by mary quite contrary
Today was an auction for the local care center. I donated 2 quilts. I walked in and the quilts were both folded and laying on the table with some plants and other things included in a silent auction. Select items were chosen for a regular auction. The bidding was to start at $30 on each of the quilts. One was scrappy so it was fine folded but the other had hand embroidery and hand quilting in the center which was folded in so it couldn't be seen.
I'm struggling with my ego and the practicality of putting the work and money into a quilt that they are willing to let go for $30. I'd be ahead to just give them the money.
So, next year, donate or not to donate?
I'm struggling with my ego and the practicality of putting the work and money into a quilt that they are willing to let go for $30. I'd be ahead to just give them the money.
So, next year, donate or not to donate?
#18
Hi, I have had similar experiences with quilts I have donated to help various organizations. The quilts were nice but not "art" quilts but to have them go for less than what you pay for the fabric is disconcerting. I guess if you don't quilt or do hand crafts, you really don't understand the amount of time involved or how much fabric, thread, yarn, etc costs. I would donate the cash instead and donate to children's hospitals and women's shelters instead. At least you would know that someone is being held close by your gift (and kids and others really appreciate those "handmade hugs").
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,375
Ugh. That hurts, doesn't it? :(
The thing with donating is you're giving it freely. Once you give, it's not yours anymore. If they have no idea what "the going rate" for quilts are, they are unable to price accordingly, kwim? So, it's a sad situation. What you COULD do is donate the quilt for a raffle-type situation, which kinda helps you to not know "what they got" for the quilt and people are kinda dropping money on the dream of having the quilt (and other items). A person might buy $10 in raffle, but if 100 other people did that, it's $1000.
Or, like someone else does, give the quilt to an organization that gets it to people that NEED it, and not just WANT it.
The thing with donating is you're giving it freely. Once you give, it's not yours anymore. If they have no idea what "the going rate" for quilts are, they are unable to price accordingly, kwim? So, it's a sad situation. What you COULD do is donate the quilt for a raffle-type situation, which kinda helps you to not know "what they got" for the quilt and people are kinda dropping money on the dream of having the quilt (and other items). A person might buy $10 in raffle, but if 100 other people did that, it's $1000.
Or, like someone else does, give the quilt to an organization that gets it to people that NEED it, and not just WANT it.
#20
Personally I would continue to make them, but use simpler pattern and give a suggested price (cost to make) so I didn't have so much invested. If the quilt is made/designed by the persons at the care center (colored blocks, hand prints, applique, etc) there seems to be more interest. Also I agree raffle seems to bring more income. Especially if there are multiple prizes. At my daughters school we had a drawing (raffles are illegal here) and each grade donated one prize, so you had a chance to win one of 5 prizes for each ticket.
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