Fundraiser, Gala and Charity Auction Gifts

The Alder Creek Schools Foundation raises most of its money for the year in one night: a spring gala for 220 guests in a hotel ballroom, a silent auction along the back wall, and a live auction after dinner. The committee wants a favor at every seat with the gala name and date, a real thank you for the 12 local businesses that sponsored tables, and something for the 48 parent volunteers who will run check in and the auction tables. Engraved pieces suit that list because each one carries the name of the night and the year, so guests keep them after the centerpieces are gone. A 5K or a golf fundraiser can follow the same plan, usually with less to spend per person.

What goes on the gala committee's list

• Leatherette coasters: one at every place setting with the gala name and date, already waiting when guests find their seats. $2.99 each at 100 to 299.
• Set of 4 slate coasters in a bamboo holder: sponsor thank you gifts with the sponsor's logo beside the event logo, something a business owner will set out in the office. $23.29 per set at 10 to 24.
• Set of 6 leatherette coasters with holder: a silent auction item on its own or tucked into a wine basket, engraved with the foundation logo. $21.99 per set at 1 to 9.
• Engraved pens: bid sheet pens for the silent auction tables. Guests walk off with them anyway, so they may as well carry the foundation's name. $2.49 each at 100 to 299.
• Leatherette keychains: volunteer thank yous, handed out at the end of the night while everyone is still in the room. $4.29 each at 50 to 99.
• Cork coasters: for the bar during the cocktail hour, or as the favor itself when the fundraiser is a 5K or a golf day instead of a dinner. $1.89 each at 100 to 299.

Pricing one night for 220 guests

Table favors come first, and 220 leatherette coasters at $2.99 each add up to $657.80. The 12 sponsor sets at $23.29 each come to $279.48. The silent auction has 90 items with a pen on each bid sheet, a count that sits just below a price break: 90 pens at $2.89 each is $260.10, while 100 at $2.49 is $249.00, so the larger order costs $11.10 less and leaves ten spares for the check in table. The volunteer keychains land the same way, since 48 at $4.69 each is $225.12 and 50 at $4.29 is $214.50, which saves $10.62 and covers the two committee chairs. With 100 pens and 50 keychains, the four orders total $1,400.78.

How it works

Attach the gala logo to your order through the product page, or send it along with the sponsor logos, the event name and the date to orders@businessbulk.net. The file your designer made for the invitation or the sponsor packet usually works, and if there is no logo yet, the gala name and year set in plain type look clean on their own. A free digital proof goes to the committee chair by email so every name and logo can be checked, and no piece is engraved until that proof is approved. Orders generally ship within 2 to 5 business days after approval, so the proof deadline belongs on the committee calendar. Since there is no minimum, one coaster can be ordered first and passed around at the planning meeting before anyone commits to 220. We are a small team in the Bay Area, California, doing all of the engraving in house, and we keep your approved artwork on file, so next year's gala starts from the same file with a new date.

Bring your guest count, sponsor list and gala date to the quote page for a price on each piece of the night, and share all products with the committee before the next meeting.

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