Auction Request Guidelines

The Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series receives numerous requests each year for donations to area schools, organizations and other non-profit associations and causes. Whenever possible, SMU is pleased to donate tickets to a Tate lecture to demonstrate our continuing support of local communities. There are certain guidelines set by the SMU Board of Trustees regarding requests for donations. Please familiarize yourself with these guidelines prior to submitting donation requests.

By resolution on the SMU Board of Trustees, we are restricted in the types of non-profit organizations we support. We support educational institutions and programs, including the parent associations of preschools and elementary, middle and high schools.

In addition, we process Auction requests twice annually, and the timing of your request and/or event may fall outside of our calendar. For your information, requests for tickets for fall events must be received by September 14, and for spring events by January 11.

Should your Auction Donation Request be approved, the Tate Staff will notify your organization in writing. A certificate will be provided to the Auction Chair for display at the event. It is then the responsibility of the purchaser of the auction item to contact the Tate Staff at SMU by the deadline specified on the certificate to claim their item. The item outlined on the certificate is very specific and only valid for the event stated.

Should you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please contact the Tate Office at (214) 768-8283. We appreciate your interest in The SMU Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series, and wish you every success in your upcoming events.