Need your help raising money for non-profits
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Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 16, 2008 - 01:08pm PT
Hi Forum

I am trying to get a new idea launched: using SuperTopo to market online auctions that promote non-profits.


THE BASIC IDEA
 go into your closet/garage and grab stuff you have not used in a year
 list items on eBay (must ship easily and have some value)
 the auction for the item is then promoted on SuperTopo
 the proceeds go to non-profits

WHY I AM DOING THIS AND WHY YOU MIGHT PARTICIPATE
 i am getting rid of stuff i don't use anymore
 money is going to non profits (usually a tax deduction)
 the winners of the auctions potentially get good deals

I did a test run of this in december and raised about $1100
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=499947

HERE IS THE CURRENT AUCTION: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/chrismcn7


I then kicked in some of my own $$ and SuperTopo kicked in some cash and by the end of the year sent a couple thousand split up unevenly to the following organizations: Access Fund, Yosemite Climbing Assn, Central Asia Institute, Kumbu Climbing School


Maybe this idea is small: limited to my own personal auctions twice a year. However, my hope is that other people will get involved and start their own auctions of their own stuff. We can share the marketing effort of these auctions AND deciding what non-profits get the money.

So who wants to join?

I am going to do another auction July 1. So far the following companies have chipped in to my auction:

Sender Films - http://www.senderfilms.com/
Marmot - http://marmot.com/
Windstopper - http://www.windstopper.com/remote/Satellite/home
Osprey - http://www.ospreypacks.com/portal.php
MZiebell

Social climber
Prescott, AZ
Jun 16, 2008 - 01:10pm PT
Great idea Chris!

Thanks for posting.
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Jun 16, 2008 - 05:08pm PT
Gotta bump this one a time or three. I don't know if it's the best time of year for fundraisers, but it seems a good idea, and some good causes.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Jun 16, 2008 - 05:39pm PT
hey there chris... say, very nice way to help.... not sure if i can... but perhaps later, i can try... (not much to send)....

i am trying to use my books for to raise funds for head injury stuff, but sadly, i have to buy some first, to resell.. or advertise, so folks will buy---i have not succeeded yet.... (only 8 sold) ... and no one sees my stuff the one time it was on ebay....

say, if you ever need a dream catcher to aucion off---let me know... i will send you some free ones... they are cheapest for me to send, as they are very light....

god bless... great idea, you got....
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Jun 16, 2008 - 11:19pm PT
Bump for Chris!!!!

I don't need any gifts, just tell me where to donate!!!!
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Jun 17, 2008 - 12:56am PT
HI CHRIS.

very good idea.

i have several sites that i sell on and am willing to help in anyway.

if people are willing to donate but dont sell on ebay , i can list for them.

if people want to learn how to sell, i can walk them through it.

if sponsors want to donate i can list.

if you want me to canvas for donations, i will do it.

hail thye new world order. give give give.

oh fearless leader,
just let me know how i can help and i am there.

i mean here now.

gregg
originalpmac

Trad climber
Jun 17, 2008 - 02:58am PT
I am more of the type that would be buying cheap gear rather then selling it, but that is an awesome idea, so bump for that,
Tez

Mountain climber
Jun 17, 2008 - 10:29am PT
I have a few items I could put up.

How do we get the money to the non-profits?
1) Buyer pays a non-profit directly
2) Buyer pays a central distribution group (like SuperTopo)
3) Buyer pays seller and seller sends it in

If we use 1 or 2, how do we handle shipping?
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 17, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
thank you everyone for the great feedback

i am going to start my auction on July 1 or so.

Hopefully some other folks will start their own auctions around then and then we can all promote the auctions on this forum, in the SuperTopo newsletter, and other sites.

it will be up to the person from each auction to get money to the non-profits. they get to decide where the money goes. i am listing where the money goes in each auction item. i am deciding where the money goes based on 3 factors:

 my own preference
 preference of the people who are donating stuff to my auctions
 preference of the people who are buying the stuff (i am giving to the climbing community mainly because most of the money will likely come from the climbing community)

This works on a small scale
like i said in the first post, maybe this whole process will just be limited to my own auctions. i feel that idea has been tested in the auctions i have done so far and works well. i get rid of stuff filling my closets, folks out there get a good deal on used stuff in good condition, non-profits get money

The bigger scale is an experiment
but i am taking a stab at trying to start something bigger here. the bigger idea is an experiment. hopefully raising more money for worthy causes by involving more people. so that part will evolve... or not. who knows what will happen. its exciting for me to take a stab at it.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 14, 2008 - 09:01pm PT
so far i have had some folks interested in helping, a few folks have donated stuff, but nobody has really wanted to hold their own ebay auction and do the joint marketing i outlined above.

thats cool. maybe the idea ain't ready to take off.

or maybe I can learn from somebody who already doing this? know of anyone out there using the idea of selling extra stuff on online auctions getting their local community or activity/hobby community involved?

i am off to the high sierra for a week or two. when i get back ill host my own auction. should be pretty big. ill keep ya all posted
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 24, 2008 - 07:39pm PT
I just listed most of the items. you can see them here:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/chrismcn7

Here is what is for sale:
Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 Camcorder
Brunton Solaris i6 Foldable iPod Solar Panel Charger
Apple AirPort Card
Marmot Exum Guide Jacket - Yellow - Medium
Marmot SuperHero Jacket - Medium - Red
North Face Summit Series Soft Shell Jacket Medium - Red
North Face Medium Summit Series Gor-Tex Jacket
Osprey Talon 33 Backpack - Green and Grey
Osprey Variant 37 Backpack - Red
Chris Sharma in King Lines DVD
Return 2 Sender by Sender Films DVD
First Ascent by Sender Films DVD
Yosemite Valley Free Climbs Signed by Famous Climbers
Tuolumne Free Climbs Signed by Famous Yosemite Climbers
ABC Mountaineering Boots Size 44
Yates Rocker Self-belay Device for Climbing
Yates Speed Stirrups - Aiders
Yates Screamers - set of 5 brand new
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Jul 24, 2008 - 11:25pm PT
hi chris, nice listings.

i have been compiling lots of climbing stuff , north face clothing and rope bags and shoes and what not,

was looking around the first of july as you stated above but never saw anything.

your idea is great and we all must have stuff lying around.

i think the fish has a bunch of gear to donate.

perhaps we could all coordinate the group effort next time around.

regards gregg
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 25, 2008 - 12:37pm PT
Gregg, There is still time! just ebay the stuff and it will be mentioned here and in the newsletter
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2008 - 08:21pm PT
just got another donation for the auction from Chilo's Chile. 12 bottle of tasty chile. i samples the stuff myself and its great!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280250980947
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2008 - 01:38pm PT
Just added another item: Mens North Face Black Gor Tex Pants Brand New

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280251194061
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2008 - 04:47pm PT
Just added 3 more items:

Metolius 8 Step Ladder Aider - new
2 Yates 4-Step Etrier for Aid Climbing
Petzl Meteor III Climbing Helmet
UncleDoug

Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
Jul 29, 2008 - 05:22pm PT
Would love to help but I'm holding out to help Emma, Dano's daughter on a project.
Not too sure if it will come to fruition, but I've already made the commitment and don't want to get myself into a bind.
Jaybro

Social climber
wuz real!
Jul 29, 2008 - 05:30pm PT
Good stuff, Chris. As a currently unemployed teacher my contribution is limited. Soon I will be re-employed and I will change that. This is the real work for us to come together on. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2008 - 12:19pm PT
Part of the idea of this is that the people who bid get to influence where the money goes. So if there is a response that some of the money should go to Emma... then thats where some it will go. How does that work, by the way? is there going to be another auction?
Frank Sanders

Trad climber
Devils Tower. Wyoming
Jul 30, 2008 - 02:17pm PT
Chris, Have two nights stay at Devils Tower Lodge (800 yds from the Base of Devils Tower), Wyoming, to auction and LOVE the idea !! Also have a non-profit we'd like to have proceeds benefit and need clarification about how this might work. Devils Tower - Sacred To Many People (a 501(c)3 corporation), benefits the climbing community as climbers donate to the impoverished Native Americans living on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This dynamic interaction between climbers and Native Americans is helping us to better understand the each other, thereby reducing the friction that arises concerning climbing on the Tower (see www.devilstower-sacredtomanypeople.org) for more information. Please know that You are Loved and Admired for ALL that you do. Blessed are those who Live Out their Dreams, Frank Sanders
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