Wine Tree Fundraiser Basics: Get the Word Out and the Wine In!

Assuming that all the elements of the event have been taken care of including the location, food and drink, entertainment, and the like, you can narrow your focus on the Wine Tree auction or raffle.

Determine Your Wine Tree Prize

• Determine if your Wine Tree is going to be conducted as an auction, raffle, or both. For a crowd with cash, consider giving all bottles donated as one big prize. Or you can categorize donations based on the tips that follow this section in the article.

Designate a Wine Tree Coordinator or Co-Chairs

• This team will procure wine, compile literature about the prize, print and organize raffle ticket distribution, collect raffle monies, set up the prize display, coordinate necessary raffle or auction items (i.e. raffle or money box), perhaps man the table at the event or reach out to volunteers, and follow up on prize allocation. Just a few simple tasks!

Get the Word Out!

• Follow the usual channels for getting the word out about the Wine Tree prize including printing information on invitations, in newsletters, and email announcements. Of course word of mouth and enthusiasm about the cause always works!

Get the Wine In!

• Hit up everyone you can think of for a wine donation. After all, it's for a good cause.
• Are there wine or beverage stores in your area? The information sheet, booklet, or a simple tag on the wine bottle will let all know that the store donated to the event and that equals potential business for them.
• Don't feel guilty about asking for a donation. Not only can their donation be a potential tax write off, you are publicizing their business by letting all know that they contributed to the cause.
• Have a plan for collecting and properly storing all bottles before the actual event date. Perhaps there is a person on the event committee with a restaurant or bar that has a walk in fridge? Maybe a party equipment rental vendor can donate a refrigerator for a week? Don't stick the bottles "on ice" as the labels could get destroyed.

For more information on Silent Auctions and fundraising activities see the Celebrations.com Charity Events section.