The donations are tax-deductible "to the extent allowed by law." That means the giver of the gift can declare a donation of the fair market value of the item, and the purchaser can claim a donation of whatever was paid in excess of the fair market value of the item. I I have a widget which in good faith I believe to be worth $20, I can claim a deduction of $20. If I bid $32 for it, and win the bid, I can claim $12 of donation, because it was only worth $20, and the rest was money given to a good cause.

There should be lots more room, by the way-- we're planning to move the auction into the old Dining Hall, along with the marketplace. (Bring your CDs, DVDs, and other products for sale.)

--Charlie Baum