Fundraising - eBay Auction of Harry Reid Letter on Rush Limbaugh Raises Over Two Million Dollars for Charity

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Amy Passmore

Amy Passmore has years of experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups. Visit her website, DIY Fundraising for fundraising tips and techniques.

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I have written before about how charities and other nonprofit organizations can raise money by holding auctions on eBay. The recent auction on eBay of an original letter by US Senator Harry Reid concerning Rush Limbaugh sold to the highest bidder for over 2 million dollars. Limbaugh has said that he will match the money that the auction raises. So, four million dollars will be going to the designated charity, The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation.

Two million dollars is a huge amount of money to bring in from an eBay auction. At any given time there are about ten thousand charity auctions on eBay. Individuals as well as organizations can have auctions and donate the proceeds to any charity that is registered with eBay Giving Works.

To participate in eBay Giving Works your organization must first register with MissionFish. MissionFish powers the nonprofit directory for eBay Giving Works. When you register you will need to provide proof of your nonprofits status. When an auction is held on your nonprofit's behalf MissionFish collects the money and gives it to your organization. The also provide the seller with a tax receipt.

I can think of several ways your nonprofit organization could use eBay for fundraising. Instead of just having an auction for one noteworthy item, like the two million dollar Limbaugh letter, you could have an online event where all the members of your club auctions off an item of their own and donates the money to your cause. You could do this just one time or you could make this an ongoing fundraising effort.

I would recommend checking into registering your nonprofit organization with Mission Fish. Just go to the main eBay website and you will all the information. After you have registered, your organization will be in the database. Then anyone selling on eBay, if they felt you had a worthy cause, can donate some or all of the auction proceeds to you.

Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising. Visit www.diyfundraising.com for do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups.