Gifts of tools, crafts, and boats
Want to support North House by donating some tools, gear or other resources? This page can help you understand ways to get involved!
North House frequently fields inquiries from generous folks hoping to donate tools, boats, looms, books, yarn, and other items to the folk school. We are honored and excited to help make this happen. Often, the best path forward connects to one of our three annual auctions/sales: Boats to Tools Auction (in June), Points North Online Auction (in Sept.) and Great Gear & Ski Sale (in Nov.).
Boats to Tools Auction
The annual Boats to Tools Auction during June’s Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival is a fantastic fit for this type of donation! Donors have the option to donate the entire proceeds from their items or receive a split, and the rest supports North House’s mission and programs.
Follow this link to learn about our plans for 2025
Points North Online Auction
The Points North Auction occurs in September in alignment with our Unplugged celebration, North House's annual fall gathering and fundraiser. Points North features hundreds of items from local businesses, traditional craft artisans and other supporters, and largely happens online. Bidding is open for ten days, culminating during Unplugged. Select items are highlighted in a display on campus.
Follow this link to learn about Points North 2024 - info for 2025 will be available by June
Great Gear and Ski Sale
The Great Gear and Ski Swap is part of our annual Winterers' Gathering and Arctic Film Festival in November. Rather than having an auction format, the Swap is like a giant garage sale of 200+ items: from outdoor equipment to winter exploration, snowshoes to nordic skis, tents to sleeping bags. Donors define the price of each item. Items are dropped off Saturday morning in the hours leading up to the Swap.
Follow this link to learn about 2024 - info for 2025 available this fall
Other Info
Occasionally, like with well-maintained hand tools or unique crafts, we may be able to put donated items to use in our classrooms on campus. When this is the case we will confirm our intent with the donor. Generally, donors should assume donated items will be integrated into our auctions.
Contact
Please reach out to Libby at llarson@northhouse.org for more information and with any questions you might have!